Green Left Weekly Activist Calendar - 2014-10-10

Green Left Weekly Activist Calendar October 10, 2014 Public meeting: Stopping the East West Link Thursday, October 9, 7pm. Join Moreland Community against the East West Link (MCAT) for a public meeting on the campaign. Speakers: Andrew Herrington (author of East West Link blog and former advisor to the Brumby government); Sue Bolton (a co-convenor of MCAT, Socialist Alliance Councillor for Moreland); Mike Naismith (Tunnel Picket), Lambros Tapinos (mayor of Moreland). 7pm. Coburg Court House, 1A Main St, Coburg. Organised by MCAT. For more info contact Riki 0400 877 819, Michael 0417 354 169 or Sue 0413 377 978.Save Film screening: The Runner Friday, October 10, 6pm. The story of Western Sahara athlete Salah Hmatou Ameidan who became a symbol of the resistance of his country under Moroccan occupation since 1975. 97 mins. 6pm (for 6:30pm start). New Council Chambers, Trades Hall, Lygon St, Carlton South. $15 solidarity, $12 full, $8 concession. Presented by Australia Western Sahara Association. For info visit AWSA. Public meeting: Housing is a human right Thursday, October 16, 6:30pm. Speakers: Donna Bennett (Hope St Youth & Family Services); Fiona Ross (Friends of Public Housing); Sean Brockelhurst (Socialist Alliance); MC: Sue Bolton  (Socialist Alliance councillor for Moreland). 6:30pm. Old Court House, 1A Main St, Coburg (near Bell St). Presented by Socialist Alliance. For more info ph 9639 8622 or 0413 377 978. (PLEASE NOTE: This is the correct date.) This is the regular Melbourne activist calendar compiled by Green Left Weekly. Emailed to subscribers each Wednesday fortnight, it is a one-stop listing of the main left and progressive events in Melbourne and Geelong. Since it began in early 1991, Green Left Weekly has offered an indispensable alternative to the lies of the big-business media and has helped build the various movements for social change. To subscribe toGreen Left Weekly, visit our secure online website for rates and payment or call our national hotline on 1800 634 206. You can also contact us at the Resistance Centre, 5th floor, 407 Swanston St, City; ph 9639 8622. In Geelong we are at the Activist Centre, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St (opening hours: Mon 2-4:30pm, Fri 10am-4:30pm); ph 5222 6900. New email address? Not already receiving this calendar regularly? Want to subscribe someone else? Let us know at Greenleft Melbourne. Thursday, October 9 Public meeting: Stopping the East West Link. Join Moreland Community against the East West Link (MCAT) for a public meeting on the campaign. Speakers: Andrew Herrington (author of East West Link blog and former advisor to the Brumby government); Sue Bolton (a co-convenor of MCAT, Socialist Alliance Councillor for Moreland); Mike Naismith (Tunnel Picket), Lambros Tapinos (mayor or Moreland). 7pm. Coburg Court House, 1A Main St, Coburg. Organised by MCAT. For more info contact Riki 0400 877 819, Michael 0417 354 169 or Sue 0413 377 978. Friday, October 10 Film screening: The Runner. The story of Western Sahara athlete Salah Hmatou Ameidan who became a symbol of the resistance of his country under Moroccan occupation since 1975. 97 mins. 6pm (for 6:30pm start). New Council Chambers, Trades Hall, Lygon St, Carlton South. $15 solidarity, $12 full, $8 concession. Presented by Australia Western Sahara Association. For info visit AWSA. Concert: Murru: 10 Songs of Freedom for John Pat. A musical tribute to John Pat, a young Yindjibarndi man who died in custody 30 years ago, sparking a royal commission and shining a spotlight on the increasing rates of Indigenous incarceration in our country. Featuring: Big hART, Archie Roach, Lucky Oceans, Emma Donovan, John Bennett and more. 7:30pm. Federation Square, cnr Swanston & Flinders Sts, City. For more info visit Melbourne Festival. Saturday, October 11 Rally: Support reproductive rights. Every year bigots take to the streets, led by Liberal MP Bernie Finn. to protest against our hard-won right to access abortion. These bigots want to see abortion outlawed, a move which would undoubtedly see women die. They want to silence and shame us for exercising our right to choose what happens to our own bodies. 1pm. State Parliament, Spring St, City. Rally: Protest the first anniversary of 'Operation Sovereign Borders'. No tow-backs! No offshore or onshore detention! Process asylum claims for permanent visas! Scrap 'Operation Sovereign Borders'! 2pm. State Library, City. Organised by the Refugee Action Collective. Film screening: Nobody's Child: Waiting to go home. The inspiring and moving  story of five survivors of the Stolen Generations who grew up in children's homes in the Whitehorse area. Jack, Helen, John, Karen and Sharon share memories of the places they, as removed Aboriginal children, called home, of friendships forged as well as the challenges they face as adults. (52 min). 3pm. Yarran Dheran Info Centre, Mitcham (Mel 49 B6). For info ph 9719 7661 or 0409 519 829. Fundraiser: Dinner for Lex Wotton speaking tour. This three-course dinner will cater for varied tastes including meat eaters, vegetarians, vegans, and gluten free. The event will feature a special performance by Ezekiel Ox, entertainer, singer/song writer and founding member of Musicians Against Police Violence. $40 solidarity, $25 waged, $15 unwaged. Bookings essential; to book email Sean Pickard. 7pm. Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Rd, Brunswick. Organised by Indigenous Social Justice Association. Wednesday, October 15 2014 transport election: We demand our say! Pro-public transport groups discuss plans for action in the lead-up the state election and beyond. 6pm. Multicultural Hub, Elizabeth St, City. Public meeting: Climate change: Risks & opportunities.  Speakers: Rob Gell (Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society & former TV presenter); David Karoly (University of Melbourne climate scientist), Kirsty Albion (Australian Youth Climate Coalition, via video); Jennifer Lauber Patterson (Yarra Energy/Frontier Carbon). 7:30pm. Brighton Secondary College, 120 Marriage Road, Brighton East. RSVP:Eventbrite. Gold coin donation at the door. Presented by Bayside Climate Change Action Group and Brighton Secondary College  Facebook event Thursday, October 16 Rally: Say no to $100,000 degrees. October 16 marks the first day of the senate inquiry into the Abbott government's budget. Students and young people are some of the worst hit by the budget and we have been protesting all year to stop its passage. 1pm. Bowen Lane, RMIT University (just behind Swanston St). Organised by National Union of Students. Rally & stop work:  Keep Community Health healthy. Your local Community Health Centre plays an essential role in Victoria’s healthcare system, taking the pressure of the over-worked hospital system. The centres urgently need an injection of funding to continue to provide essential services to communities across the state. Support your local Community Health professionals in their campaign to keep Community Health Centers healthy. 1:30pm. Parliament House, Spring St, City. Public meeting: Housing is a human right. Speakers: Donna Bennett (Hope St Youth & Family Services); Fiona Ross (Friends of Public Housing); Sean Brockelhurst (Socialist Alliance); MC: Sue Bolton  (Socialist Alliance councillor for Moreland). 6:30pm. Old Court House, 1A Main St, Coburg (near Bell St). Presented by Socialist Alliance. For more info ph 9639 8622 or 0413 377 978. (PLEASE NOTE: This is the correct date.) Friday, October 17 Concert: Outright. Melb LP launch, Free World, Old Love, Vicious Cycle, Aggressor. Celebrating the release of their new socially conscious LP Avalanche, Outright are heading out on tour and sharing the party with some special friends. Come and be a part of something real and inclusive, something meaningful, and most importantly, fun. 8pm. Bendigo Hotel, 125 Johnston St, Collingwood. Saturday, October 18 New International Bookshop one-day fair. 10am-4pm. NIBS, 54 Victoria St, Carlton. All books $1or $2 + bulk bargains. Rally: Reclaim the night 2014. 7pm. Protest violence and harassment against women. Brunswick Town Hall, Sydney Rd, Brunswick. All welcome. Sunday, October 19 Rally: Stop Abbott's attacks on Muslims. No to the anti-terror laws, no to attacks on civil liberties. 1pm.State Library  City. Rally: Free Cannabis Victoria 420 Picnic. Bring your glass, your goodies, munchies, friends and most importantly a smile! Meet like minded people and get even more like minded. 2-6pm. Flagstaff Gardens, 309-311 William St, City. Monday, October 20 Forum: The new era of climate activism.  Speakers: David Spratt (author & climate activist), Paul Gilding (author), Mark Wakeham (Environment Victoria). 6:30pm. RMIT University, Building 80, Theatre 80.02.007, 445 Swanston St, City. Entry free. Please register your attendance online at Breakthrough. Presented by Environment Victoria and Sustainable Living Foundation. Public meeting: Invasion to federation, Indigenous peoples, convicts & empire. Speakers: Henry Reynolds, Anna Clark (co-author History Wars). Panel discussion follows featuring Clare Land & Tony Moore. 7:30pm. Unitarian Peace Memorial Church, 110 Grey St, East Melbourne. Presented by the ANZAC Centenary Peace Coalition. To book visit Peace Forum. Wednesday, October 22 Protest: Fluro Fightback. Rally to fight against casualisation and insecure work. 8:30am. Southern Cross Station, City. Organised by NUW. Forum: A night with the Pacific Climate Warriors. Australia's fossil fuels are destroying the Pacific.RMIT Cinema, Level 1, Room 002, 445 Swanston St, City. For more info visit Pacific Warriors. Thursday, October 23 Rally: National Day of Support for Ms Dhu and to Stop Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.  Julieka Dhu was a  22-year-old Yamatji Woman who died in police custody in WA on August 4 this year. 12:30pm. Old GPO, cnr Bourke & Elizabeth Sts, City. Organised by Indigenous Social Justice Association and First Nations Liberation.  Saturday, October 25 Rally: Walk Together. A celebration of diversity to present a picture to our leaders and media of the Australia that is possible, an Australia that recognises in its public debate, media conversation and legislation that we are all common people with common dreams, equally deserving of freedom, fairness, opportunity to contribute, welcome and belonging. 1pm. State Library, 328 Swanston St, City. The walk will end at Treasury Gardens. Friday, October 31  Concert: Les Thomas. Performance by the Melbourne singer-songwriter and activist who follows in the same tradition as Joe Hill and Woody Guthrie. His songs are pointed and passionate, addressing matters both personal and political. 8pm. Some Velvet Morning, 123 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill. For more info visit Les Thomas Music. Saturday, November 8 Rally: Equal Love Marriage Equality. 1pm. State Library, 328 Swanston St, City. Saturday, November 15 Rally: Stop the East-West Link! Rip up the contracts! Invest in public transport! 1pm. Flinders St Station, City. December 2 - 13, 2014 2014 Australian solidarity tour to Venezuela will be a unique an opportunity to observe first-hand, learn about and be inspired by a grassroots movement that is transforming not only Venezuela, but all of Latin America, and is challenging the greed and destructiveness of global capitalism by showing that a better world is possible. The registration deadline is October 3, 2014. For more info visit Venezuela Solidarity. Thursday, October 9 BENDIGO  Rally: Save jobs at La Trobe Uni. A group of La Trobe University students in Bendigo will hold a protest next week to express their concern for impending staff cuts. Protest organiser Natasha Joyce said she hoped about 100 students from different departments would attend the demonstration. 11am. La Trobe University, Bendigo campus. For more info see Bendigo Advertiser. Saturday, October 25 GEELONG Rally: Walk Together. A celebration of diversity to present a picture to our leaders and media of the Australia that is possible, an Australia that recognises in its public debate, media conversation and legislation that we are all common people with common dreams, equally deserving of freedom, fairness, opportunity to contribute, welcome and belonging. 1pm. The Pulse, 68-70 Little Ryrie St, Geelong. Walk to Johnstone Park, 28 Gheringhap St. Wednesday, October 29 GEELONG Trivia night: Socialist Alliance Election campaign fundraiser. Support Sarah Hathway for Geelong! 6:30pm. Downstairs, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St, Geelong. For more info ph 5222 6900. Saturday, November 1 ALBURY Rally: Rainbow Pride Day. A peaceful walk down Dean Street showing off your rainbow colours, a gathering in QEII Square featuring speakers, music, performers and stalls and a BBQ. Dean Street, Albury. Australian West Papua Association (AWPA). Struggles against the Indonesian occupation of West Papua and against environmental destruction and resource theft. For info 9510 2193 or email AWPA. Friends of the Earth's Anti-Nuclear & Clean Energy (ACE) collective. Meets every second Tuesday. FoE office, 312 Smith St, Collingwood. For meeting times & more info email Zin. Indigenous Social Justice Association. The Indigenous Social Justice Association was established in January 2005 campaigns to permanently stop Aboriginal deaths in custody. During 2013, ISJA will meet the first Thursday of every month. For more info visit ISJA. Quit Coal: No New Coal Power for Victoria. A Melbourne-based collective which campaigns against expansion of the coal industry in Victoria. We believe this is important because building new coal infrastructure locks in decades of dirty, old technology, when we should be moving towards clean, renewable energy. Quit Coal meets each Wednesday at 6pm, at FOE, 312 Smith St, Collingwood. For more info visit Quit Coal or email us. Refugee Action Collective. Established in 2000, RAC is a democratic, grassroots activist collective, representing a broad cross section of the community. It aims to mobilise opposition to Australia's inhuman refugee policies. For more info ph 0413 377 978 or visit RAC. Stop the East-West Link: Moreland Campaign Against the East-West Tunnel (MCAT) meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at the Temple Park Senior Citizens Centre, Hodgson St, Brunswick. For information contact Sue Bolton 0413 377 978; Michael Petit 0417 354 169; Riki Lane 0400 877 819 or go to Facebook. Yarra Campaign for Action on Transport (YCAT). For information on the campaign against the East-West Tunnel (pickets, meetings, info) visit YCAT. Timor Sea Justice Campaign. For info visit TSJC, email Tom Clarke or ph 0422 545 763. Recent articles from Green Left Weekly Glenn Greenwald: Abbott exploits terrorism to seize new powers Civil rights lawyer: Terror raids are 'political theatre' Kobane: Heroic defence resists ‘Islamic State’ assault Climate vs capitalism -- Klein's five key lessons for the left Check out Green Left TV: See Ten years of campaigning for marriage equality in Australia To subscribe to Green Left Weekly visit our secure online website for rates and payment or call our national hotline on 1800 634 206. Join us on Facebook. You can also contact us at the Resistance Centre, 5th floor, 407 Swanston St, City; ph 9639 8622. In Geelong: Activist Centre, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St (opening hours: Mon 2-4.30pm, Fri 10am-4.30pm); ph 5222 6900. Links: 'Socialism for the 21st century' Links is an online journal which seeks to provide a forum for open and constructive dialogue between active socialists from different political traditions. It seeks to bring together those in the international left who are opposed to neoliberal economic and social policies, and reject the bureaucratic model of 'socialism' that arose in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Inspired by the unfolding socialist revolution in Venezuela, Links is a journal for 'Socialism of the 21st Century' and the discussions and debates flowing from that powerful example of socialist renewal. Venezuela: Chavista leader Robert Serra assassinated in likely right-wing terror attack Eyewitness Hong Kong: The 'Umbrella Revolution' unfurls Kobanê: Heroic defence resists ‘Islamic State’ assault; 'Kobanê will be a grave for IS' India: Eyewitness account, images of Kolkata’s huge movement for gender justice Socialist Alliance: Broad, non-sectarian, activist Socialist Alliance is a proud supporter of the Green Left Weekly project and contributes a regular column. Socialist Alliance is a broad, non-sectarian socialist party, dedicated to bringing together all those who want to resist the capitalist assault on our planet and its people and fight for a socialist society that puts people's needs before business profits. Anyone who agrees with the general approach of our policies is welcome to join and organisations are invited to affiliate. For more information visit Socialist Alliance or join us on Facebook. See our recent statements: Socialist Alliance: Solidarity with Rojava revolution! West prefers IS killers to humane, pro-woman, democratic revolution Socialist Alliance: No Australian military involvement in Iraq We are all Muslim. Defend civil liberties! Contact Socialist Alliance. Join with other socialists in the struggle. Melbourne: Visit us at the Resistance Centre, 5th floor, 407 Swanston St, City; ph 9639 8622. In Melbourne, Socialist Alliance meets on the first Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm, at the Resistance Centre. Geelong: Activist Centre, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St (opening hours: Mon 2-4:30pm, Fri 10am-4:30pm); ph 5222 6900. Moreland Socialists Moreland Socialists is open to anyone (even if you live outside the area) who wants to work constructively to support Socialist Alliance councillor Sue Bolton and use her position to build up a stronger activist left presence in Moreland. In general, we meet monthly and alternate between Coburg and Fawkner. If you want to get involved in the group, email us at Socialist Alliance or phone Sue on 9639 8622 or 0413 377 978. For news and opinion visit Sue's Moreland Report or Facebook. Resistance Bookshop Christianity, Islam and Atheism: Reflections on religion, society and politics Indian-born and Catholic-educated, author Michael Cooke migrated to Australia in his teens. He moved away from religion and towards the political left. In this stimulating new work he focuses on issues where religion intersects with the secular society. He engages variously with the Catholic George Pell and the Muslim Waleed Aly. He also takes issue with Richard Dawkins and the so-called ‘New Athesists’. 124pp, $15. Available from Resistance Bookshop, Level 5, 407 Swanston St, City or online from Resistance Books.

Green Left Weekly Activist Calendar - 2014-02-05

Green Left Weekly Activist Calendar February 5, 2014 Rally: Defend our environment! No dredging in the Great Barrier Reef. Saturday, February 8, 12 noon. Our environment is under attack like never before with forests being logged, large mining companies profiteering off the destruction of bushland and wildlife being culled. Now the Coalition federal government has approved dumping nearly 3 million cubic metres of spoil in an area near the Great Barrier Reef marine park as part of the Abbot Point coal port expansion near Bowen. State Library, 328 Swanston St, City. Film screening: John Pilger's 'Utopia' Thursday, February 27, 6:30pm. Examines the worsening oppression of Aboriginal people in Australia.  An epic production by the Emmy and Bafta winning film-maker and journalist John Pilger. Utopia is a vast region in northern Australia and home to the oldest human presence on earth. 'This film is a journey into that secret country,' says Pilger. 'It will describe not only the uniqueness of the first Australians, but their trail of tears and betrayal and resistance —  from one utopia to another.' See trailer here. (WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following program may contain images and voices of deceased persons.) Speakers: Vivian Malo (First Nations Liberation); Mick Bull (AMWU organiser who was involved in the 2010 union solidarity brigade that built a protest house in the Ampilatwatja community, a community that features in the film). Maritime Union of Australia Hall, 46–54 Ireland St, West Melbourne (2 min from North Melbourne station). Organised by Green Left Weekly & First Nations Liberation. Entry free, bookings essential. To book: ph 9639 8622 or visit http://www.trybooking.com/EFRC. This is the regular Melbourne activist calendar compiled by Green Left Weekly. Emailed to subscribers each Wednesday fortnight, it is a one-stop listing of the main left and progressive events in Melbourne and Geelong. Since it began in early 1991, Green Left Weekly has offered an indispensable alternative to the lies of the big-business media and has helped build the various movements for social change. To subscribe toGreen Left Weekly, visit our secure online website for rates and payment or call our national hotline on 1800 634 206. You can also contact us at the Resistance Centre, 5th floor, 407 Swanston St, City; ph 9639 8622. In Geelong we are at the Activist Centre, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St (opening hours: Mon 2-4:30pm, Fri 10am-4:30pm); ph 5222 6900. New email address? Not already receiving this calendar regularly? Want to subscribe someone else? Let us know at Greenleft Melbourne. Ongoing Pickets against the East-West Tunnel take place on most weekday mornings. Join the campaign to stop the East-West Link. For more info txt 'tunnel' to 0432 447 036 to get picket locations via text message. Wednesday, February 5 Rally: For reproductive rights on the second day of parliament for 2014. We plan to show the LNP and Labor that we oppose the repeal of Section 8, and that we won’t have the Vic Liberals selling women’s abortion rights simply so they can stay in power until November. This demo has a double purpose: the anti-choice Helpers of God’s Precious Infants congregate at this very spot every day (all day!) parliament sits throughout the year. They also string their banner, depicting a cross for every foetus aborted since the first day of the year, on the fence outside Parliament House. This year, we plan to arrive first, so it’s us — the pro-choice majority — parliamentarians see as they head in to vote on laws that affect us. 7.30am. MP's carpark entrance, Parliament House, Macarthur St, opposite Women's Suffrage sculpture. Forum: What is the TPPA? Our government is negotiating an international agreement that could have a huge effect on the lives of ordinary people. It’s called the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), and it involves 12 Asian and Pacific-rim countries, including the United States. If it goes ahead, we risk damage to our innovative economy, our pristine environment, our health, and the ability to shape our own future. Speakers: Richard Denniss (executive director, Australia Institute); Deborah Gleeson (convenor, Political Economy of Health Special Interest Group of the Public Health Association of Australia); Angela Daly (2013 auDA Australian Internet Ambassador); Bob Phelps (executive director of Gene Ethics). Places unfortunately are limited so please reserve your free ticket via the ticketing system here: What is the TPPA? 6pm. 251 Queensberry St, Carlton South. AAWL public meeting: Women workers in Asia. 6pm. Trades Hall, cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton South. Thursday, February 6 Moreland Campaign Against the East-West Tunnel (MCAT):  Special organising meeting.  To organise materials for our stalls this coming Saturday; to report back on plans for our community rally on March 30; and to plan how to build the rally. 6:30pm. Temple Park Senior Citizens Centre, Hodgson St, Brunswick. For more info call Sue Bolton on 0413 377 978. Friday, February 7 Rally: For LGBTIQ rights in Russia. Last year the Russian government introduced new laws banning ‘propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations’. These laws essentially outlaw any positive mention of homosexuality. Putin is using these laws to deflect criticism away from his government, scapegoat minorities and cement power. Activists in Russia have called for people around the world to hold protests in front of Russia’s embassies and consulates on the day of the opening of the Olympic Games in Sochi. These Olympics will shine a spotlight not just on Russia and Putin but on the whole question of homophobia and LGBTIQ equality. 12 noon. Russia House, 114 Greeves St, Fitzroy. Organised by the Socialist Party. Rally: Australian and New Zealand march against the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement. 6pm. City Square, 44-86 Swanston St, City. For information about the TPP please visit this website:www.tppaustralia.org. Saturday, February 8 Rally: Defend our environment! No dredging in the Great Barrier Reef. Our environment is under attack like never before with forests being logged, large mining companies profiteering off the destruction of bushland and wildlife being culled. Now the Coalition federal government has approved dumping nearly 3 million cubic metres of spoil in an area near the Great Barrier Reef marine park as part of the Abbot Point coal port expansion near Bowen. 12pm. State Library, 328 Swanston St, City. Public meeting: The origins of homophobia and the struggle for LGBTI liberation. What are the origins of homophobia in society? How is it maintained? How can we win real human liberation? 2pm. Resistance Centre, Level 5, 407 Swanston St, City (opposite RMIT). Organised by Socialist Alliance. For more info ph 9639 8622 or 0435 934 199. Sunday, February 9 Anatolian Peace & friendship festival. Live bands; traditional dances & foods; rides for children; art & craft stalls. 11am-6pm. Coburg Lake Reserve. Festival of the photocopier: Annual zine fair. Sticky Institute presents their annual zine fair, as part of the Festival of the Photocopier 2014. The event includes over 100 zine stalls, live music, the launch of this year's Feed the Animals fundraiser, and a guided tour of the fair by zine academic Dr Anna Polettil. 12-4pm. Melbourne Town Hall, cnr Swanston & Collins Sts, City. Full program atwww.stickyinstitute.com. Political Asylum: ABC Pty Ltd edition. Topical standup comedy. Now with commercial breaks! Featuring: Mathew Kenneally (MC), Toby Halligan, Stella Young, Dilruk Jayisuran, Tegan Marie Higginbotham & Nelly Thomas! 5:30pm. The Brunswick Green, 313 Sydney Rd, Brunswick. Sponsored by the Royal Australian Navy. $10/$5. Wednesday, February 12 Rally: Abortion speakout outside Geoff Shaw’s office. We don’t like Geoff Shaw’s right-wing bigotry or his corruption. And we don’t appreciate the support he gets from the Liberal Party generally, or the premier’s office specifically — such as the help he’s getting from Denis Napthine to draft his private member’s bill that will curb our right to access abortion. We say: Doctors and politicians can keep their morals to themselves. Our bodies, our right to decide! 12pm. Geoff Shaw’s office, 140 Young St, Frankston. Public meeting: Black and proud — racism in sport. On April 17, 1993, Indigenous AFL player Nicky Winmar raised his St Kilda jersey and pointed out the colour of his skin to the Collingwood fans that had taunted him throughout the match. That photograph, and his accompanying statement, 'I’m black and I’m proud to be black,' became an iconic moment in AFL history, forcing many in the sporting arena to analyse their attitude towards race. Author Gary Osmond assesses the legacy of this photograph in his book Black and Proud. Osmond examines what has changed, with a panel including Sean Gorman from the Centre for Aboriginal Studies, and host Angela Pippos. 6:15pm. The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale St, City. Thursday, February 13 Concert: Apology Day anniversary. Celebrate the anniversary of the apology to Australia’s Stolen Generations. Indigenous and non-Indigenous performers come together in a shared vision of unity for all Australians. Featuring: Blue King Brown; Archie Roach, Tim Rogers, Claire Bowditch, Christine Anu, Thelma Plumb, Horrorshow & Jimblah. 6-10pm. Sidney Myer Music Bowl, 21 Linlithgow Ave, City. Entry free. Friday, February 14 Rally: National Dingo Day. Rally to stop killing of dingoes and to ban the use of 1080 poison baits in Australia. 12 noon. State Parliament, Spring Street, City. Sustainable Living Festival’s great debate: Environmentalism is in denial. Are green groups are avoiding complete honesty about the extent to which climate change will affect human populations and other species? Do they lack the courage to tackle this giant challenge, fearing political isolation and the difficulty of the task of selling an unpalatable message to the public? Is the environment movement to blame for the inadequacy of the solutions currently being advocated? With video introduction by Bill McKibben. Speakers: Christine Milne, Clive Hamilton, Amanda McKenzie, Philip Sutton, Mark O'Connor and Drew Hutton. 7pm. Deakin Edge, Federation Square. $25/$20. Book tickets here. Saturday, February 15 Rally: Our wombs are not for sale, defend Section 8. We are opposed to the repeal of Section 8, or any rolling back of current Victorian abortion law (as touted by Geoff Shaw, and supported by the Liberal Party), and we want to make this loud and clear before a vote in parliament. We have heard that Geoff Shaw will try to introduce his Private Member’s Bill, repealing Section 8 of the Victorian abortion law (at the very least!), in one of the February sittings of parliament. This repeal means that if a doctor doesn’t 'believe in' abortion, they won’t have to refer women to doctors who will perform the procedure. They also won’t have to perform emergency abortions to save a woman’s life. 1pm. State Library, cnr Swanston & La Trobe Sts, City. Tuesday, February 18 Rally: Stop Napthine's silencing act. Speak up Victoria, while you still can! Oppose Napthine’s new draconian anti-right-to-protest laws! The government's new bill: (1) Removes protection for peaceful assembly; (2) Provides up to two years imprisonment for persons returning to a banned protest or picket; (3) Gives police and PSOs discretion to 'move on' protests. 10am. Trades Hall, cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton South. March to Parliament House. For more info visit weareunion.org.au Wednesday, February 19 Book launch: A country too far. One of the most hotly debated and pressing moral issues in contemporary Australia surrounds the fate of asylum seekers. A new anthology of work from 27 of the nation’s finest writers examines all aspects of this complex topic. A Country Too Far features fiction, memoir, poetry and essays that provide an indispensable contribution to the national debate. 6:15pm. The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale St, City. This is a free event. Bookings are recommended. Friday, February 21 Fundraiser: Concert for the Tarkine. In 2014, is Australia the sort of country that puts an open-cut mine in a rainforest? It’s time to ramp up the Melbourne campaign to stop mining in the Tarkine. Come along to the launch of Save the Tarkine (Victoria) for a wonderful evening of music, and let us introduce you to the majesty of this remarkable place. Despite its world heritage significance, less than 5% of the Tarkine is protected as a national park and it is currently under attack from open-cut mining activity. 7pm. Thornbury Theatre, 859 High St, Thornbury. Saturday, February 22 Film screening: Dirty Wars.  Pre-DVD release screening for this award-winning documentary. Dirty Wars follows investigative reporter Jeremy Scahill, author of the international bestseller Blackwater, into the heart of America’s covert wars, from Afghanistan to Yemen, Somalia and beyond. 8:45pm. 106 Nicholson St, Coburg. Entry by donation (suggested: $15/$10) to raise money for the 2014 Swan Island Peace Convergence. NB: outdoor screening (BYO rugs, chairs, cushions). Saturday 22 February Concert: Almanac trail tour. In the summer of 1941, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Lee Hays and Millard Lampell — The Almanac Singers — embarked on a tour, singing labour songs at union halls in many US cities and towns. Folksingers George Mann and Rik Palieri have just re-enacted that tour, singing the same songs in the same US cities and towns as the 1941 Almanac Singers and they have now released a CD entitled The Almanac Trail. George is now touring Australia, and this is a great opportunity to hear one of the great labour folksingers of our time. In Melbourne, the Victorian Trade Union Choir will perform with George and in Geelong, the Geelong Trades Hall Choir will perform. 7:30pm. Meeting Room 1, ground floor, Trades Hall, cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton South. $10/$5. For more info ph Roger Smith 0438 302 061 or Jeannette Johanson 0400 004 427. Thursday, February 27 Film screening: 'Utopia', John Pilger’s film on Aboriginal Australia. Examines the worsening oppression of Aboriginal people in Australia.  An epic production by the Emmy and Bafta winning film-maker and journalist John Pilger. Utopia is a vast region in northern Australia and home to the oldest human presence on earth. 'This film is a journey into that secret country,' says Pilger. 'It will describe not only the uniqueness of the first Australians, but their trail of tears and betrayal and resistance —  from one utopia to another.' Trailer at: http://johnpilger.com/videos/utopia-trailer. (WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following program may contain images and voices of deceased persons.) Speakers: Vivian Malo (First Nations Liberation); Mick Bull (AMWU organiser who was involved in the 2010 union solidarity brigade that built a protest house in the Ampilatwatja community, a community that features in the film). 6:30pm. Maritime Union of Australia Hall, 46–54 Ireland St, West Melbourne (2 min from North Melbourne station). Organised by Green Left Weekly & First Nations Liberation. Entry free, bookings essential. To book: ph 9639 8622 or visithttp://www.trybooking.com/EFRC. Monday, March 3 Forum: Launch of Writers for Refugees. Join us for the launch of Writers for Refugees, a Melbourne-based group of writers, journalists and academics who are committed to standing up for refugee rights under the Abbott government. Speakers and readers include: Arnold Zable, Maxine Beneba Clarke, Abe Ape, Jeff Sparrow and Ali Alizadeh. 6pm. Bella Union Level 1, Trades Hall, cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton South. Entry by gold coin donation. Saturday, March 8 Rally: Celebrate International Womens Day, protest for equal rights. Come out on International Women's Day and continue the fight for equality: demand equal pay; defend our right to abortion. 1pm. State Library, 328 Swanston St, City. Initiated by the National Union of Students. Tuesday, February 18 Forum: 'We are one, but we are many'. Working towards a humane refugee policy. Speakers: Kon Karapanagiotidis (CEO & founder, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre); Vincent Long (auxiliary bishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne & Bishop for the Western Region; a former asylum seeker and refugee); Louise Newman (psychiatrist, Convenor of the Alliance of Health Professions for Asylum Seekers). 7:15pm. Geelong West Town Hall, 153 Pakington St, Geelong West. Organised by the Combined Refugee Action Group. For more info email CRAG. Supported by the City of Greater Geelong. Entry free. Supper provided. Friday, February 21 Red Cinema: Utopia — a film by John Pilger. (WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this program may contain images and voices of deceased persons.) One of the most extraordinary films about Australia. This is Utopia, an epic production by the Emmy and Bafta winning film-maker and journalist John Pilger. Utopia is a vast region in northern Australia and home to the oldest human presence on earth. 'This film is a journey into that secret country,' says Pilger. 'It will describe not only the uniqueness of the first Australians, but their trail of tears and betrayal and resistance —  from one utopia to another.' See trailer here. 6pm. Downstairs, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St, Geelong. Entry free. Presented by Socialist Alliance. For more info phone 5222 6900. Sunday, February 23 Concert: Almanac trail tour. In the summer of 1941, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Lee Hays and Millard Lampell — The Almanac Singers — embarked on a tour, singing labour songs at union halls in many US cities and towns. Folksingers George Mann and Rik Palieri have just re-enacted that tour, singing the same songs in the same US cities and towns as the 1941 Almanac Singers and they have now released a CD entitled The Almanac Trail. George is now touring Australia, and this is a great opportunity to hear one of the great labour folksingers of our time. In Geelong, the Geelong Trades Hall Choir will perform with George. 7pm. MUA Hall, 4 Gheringhap St, Geelong. $10/$5. For more info ph Jeannette Johanson 0400 004 427. Saturday, March 22 ALBURY Rally: Equal Love. 1pm. QEII Square, 538 Dean St, Albury Friends of the Earth's Anti-Nuclear & Clean Energy (ACE) collective. Meets every second Tuesday. FoE office, 312 Smith St, Collingwood. For meeting times & more info email Zin. Indigenous Social Justice Association. The Indigenous Social Justice Association was established in January 2005 campaigns to permanently stop Aboriginal deaths in custody. During 2013, ISJA will meet the first Thursday of every month. For more info visit ISJA. Melbourne Feminist Action Group. It's time to put women's rights back on the public agenda. We've started an open organising group and everyone's invited, from already existing women's rights groups and activist organisations, to women and men who may never have been involved in feminist action in their lives but just want to do something. For more info ph 0438 869 790 or email us. Quit Coal: No New Coal Power for Victoria. A Melbourne-based collective which campaigns against expansion of the coal industry in Victoria. We believe this is important because building new coal infrastructure locks in decades of dirty, old technology, when we should be moving towards clean, renewable energy. Quit Coal meets each Wednesday at 6pm, at FOE, 312 Smith St, Collingwood. For more info visit Quit Coal or email us. Refugee Action Collective. Established in 2000, RAC is a democratic, grassroots activist collective, representing a broad cross section of the community. It aims to mobilise opposition to Australia's inhuman refugee policies. For more info ph 0413 377 978 or visit RAC. Stop the East-West Link: Moreland Campaign Against the East-West Tunnel (MCAT) meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at the Temple Park Senior Citizens Centre, Hodgson St, Brunswick. For information contact Sue Bolton 0413 377 978; Michael Petit 0417 354 169; Riki Lane 0400 877 819. Yarra Campaign for Action on Transport (YCAT). For information on the campaign against the East-West Tunnel (pickets, meetings, info) visit YCAT. Recent articles from Green Left Weekly Victorian 'move on' laws to criminalise protesters Organic farmer Steve Marsh fights the GM monster Graffiti marks genocide on Australia Day How Australia steals East Timor's oil Check out Green Left TV: See Sea Shepherd's Jeff Hansen: Save the sharks! To subscribe to Green Left Weekly visit our secure online website for rates and payment or call our national hotline on 1800 634 206. Join us on Facebook. You can also contact us at the Resistance Centre, 5th floor, 407 Swanston St, City; ph 9639 8622. In Geelong: Activist Centre, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St (opening hours: Mon 2-4.30pm, Fri 10am-4.30pm); ph 5222 6900. Links: 'Socialism for the 21st century' Links is an online journal which seeks to provide a forum for open and constructive dialogue between active socialists from different political traditions. It seeks to bring together those in the international left who are opposed to neoliberal economic and social policies, and reject the bureaucratic model of 'socialism' that arose in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Inspired by the unfolding socialist revolution in Venezuela, Links is a journal for 'Socialism of the 21st Century' and the discussions and debates flowing from that powerful example of socialist renewal. How we can use the Transitional Program today: a response to Socialist Alternative Forging a new movement: NUMSA and the shift in South Africa's politics France: Activist pressure forces truce within Front de Gauche Spain: Si, se puede! ‘White tide’ defeats Madrid health privatisation plan Socialist Alliance: Broad, non-sectarian, activist Socialist Alliance is a proud supporter of the Green Left Weekly project and contributes a regular column. Socialist Alliance is a broad, non-sectarian socialist party, dedicated to bringing together all those who want to resist the capitalist assault on our planet and its people and fight for a socialist society that puts people's needs before business profits. Anyone who agrees with the general approach of our policies is welcome to join and organisations are invited to affiliate. For more information visit Socialist Alliance or join us on Facebook. See our recent statements: Fight Abbott’s industrial secret police! Fight for land rights and justice for Aboriginal people Australia and other climate rogue states responsible for typhoon deaths Contact Socialist Alliance. Join with other socialists in the struggle. Melbourne: Visit us at the Resistance Centre, 5th floor, 407 Swanston St, City; ph 9639 8622. In Melbourne, Socialist Alliance meets on the first Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm, at the Resistance Centre. Geelong: Activist Centre, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St (opening hours: Mon 2-4:30pm, Fri 10am-4:30pm); ph 5222 6900. Moreland Socialists Moreland Socialists is open to anyone (even if you live outside the area) who wants to work constructively to support Socialist Alliance councillor Sue Bolton and use her position to build up a stronger activist left presence in Moreland. In general, we meet monthly and alternate between Coburg and Fawkner. If you want to get involved in the group, email us at Socialist Alliance or phone Sue on 9639 8622 or 0413 377 978. For news and opinion visit Sue's Moreland Report or Facebook.

Green Left Weekly Activist Calendar 2013-10-23

	Green Left Weekly Activist Calendar
	October 23, 2013

Conference: Stand up! Fight back! Ideas to challenge Abbott's agenda

Saturday, November 2. Plenary & workshop topics: Workers, refugees, the environment: In the firing line but fighting back * What kind of feminism are we fighting for? * Beyond market solutions: Fighting for environmental justice * Towards a socialist Australia * No justice, No peace: Uniting to fight racism.Click for detailed agenda.  10am-5pm. Maritime Union of Australia Hall, 46-54 Ireland Street, North Melbourne (5 minute walk from North Melbourne Station). Full day: $15/$8 (Includes morning & afternoon tea); half day: $7/$4 (includes morning or afternoon tea) . Lunch available. Organised by Socialist Alliance. For more info ph 9639 8622.

This is the regular Melbourne activist calendar compiled by Green Left Weekly. Emailed to subscribers each Wednesday fortnight, it is a one-stop listing of the main left and progressive events in Melbourne and Geelong. Since it began in early 1991, Green Left Weekly has offered an indispensable alternative to the lies of the big-business media and has helped build the various movements for social change. To subscribe toGreen Left Weekly, visit our secure online website for rates and payment or call our national hotline on 1800 634 206. You can also contact us at the Resistance Centre, 5th floor, 407 Swanston St, City; ph 9639 8622. In Geelong we are at the Activist Centre, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St (opening hours: Mon 2-4:30pm, Fri 10am-4:30pm); ph 5222 6900. New email address? Not already receiving this calendar regularly? Want to subscribe someone else? Let us know at Greenleft Melbourne.

Wednesday, October 23 Public meeting: Action on air pollution in the Inner West. 21,000 trucks travel inner West streets every day, through Yarraville, Seddon, Footscray, and Kingsville. Diesel trains are also prevalent & set to increase. Find out what diesel pollution means for your health and what we can do to clean up our air. Speakers: 1. Merryn Redenbach (Doctors for the Environment); Richard Di Natale (Greens senator & public health specialist); Samantha McArthur (Maribyrnong Truck Action Group); Colleen Hartland (Greens MP). 6:30pm. Acqua E Vino bar-restaurant, upstairs, 18a Ballarat St, Yarraville. Friday, October 25 Memorial meeting for Doug Lorimer. Commemorating the life of a longtime socialist who died earlier this year. 6:30pm (for 7pm start). Upstairs, Bar Centrale, 162 Lygon St, Carlton. Fundraiser: Rock for Refugees. This will be a very special night of music, dancing, sharing stories and most of all information about how you can get involved with grassroots refugee struggles. Featuring: New dub city; Flybz; Birdz. 7:30pm. Bar 303, 303 High St, Northcote. $8/$10 (solidarity). This is a fundraiser for RISE (Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees). Saturday, October 26 Rally: Defend the Fertility Control Clinic. The anti-abortionists '40 Days for Life' continues until November 3, and the Fertility Control Clinic is its chief Melbourne target. October 26 is also the anti-abortion zealots' monthly 'Rosary Parade'. In September, the prospect of a large defence scared them away. 9:30 am. 118 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne. Sunday, October 27 Planning meeting: Stop the theft of public housing. Planning meeting and workshop for the November 9 'Stop the theft of public housing' street meeting at the State Library.1-4pm. Jika Jika Community Centre, cnr Plant & Union Sts, Northcote. Monday, October 28 Planning meeting: Stop the East-West Tunnel: Recruiting other groups to the campaign.6pm. Elderly Citizenship Centre, Eddy Court, Collingwood. (Melway ref: 2C, 10H) Adjacent to Collingwood Station. Sponsored by VITAL (Victorian Integrated Transport Alliance). Please RSVP to Freda Watkin, Secretary, Yarra Campaign for Action on Transport (YCAT) on 0422 650 936 or emailFreda. Tuesday, October 29 Conscience on Collins:  'I have a dream . . .' In honour of the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s famous speech, Collins Street Baptist Church and Urban Seed have invited the speakers to share their dream for this city and society: Adam Bandt (Greens federal MP); Jessie Taylor (barrister & refugee advocate); Bob Maguire (‘Larrikin priest’ & social activist).  $5/$10 (in support of Urban Seed).6pm. Baptist Church, 174 Collins St , City. Public meeting: Australia & the nuclear umbrella: absurd, immoral & reckless. Speaker: Richard Tanter (Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainability). Dyason House, 124 Jolimont Rd, East Melbourne. 6pm. For more information visit AIIN. Wednesday, October 30 Rally: Abbott get your hands off our education and student unions. Student action against Abbott and Pyne’s ‘inquiry’ into higher education. We will assemble at Parliament House and then march to the Liberal Party HQ on Exhibition St. Stand up and fight back for your right to a fair and equal tertiary education. 12:30pm. Parliament, Spring St, City. Friday, November 1 Film screening: Fallout. Documentary that explores the iconic filming of Nevil Shute's novel On The Beach in Melbourne in the late 1950s. Shute’s novel depicts the last huddle of humanity preparing to die as a cloud of nuclear fallout drifts towards Australia. 6:30pm. Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon St, Carlton. Presented by ICAN (International Campaign Against Nuclear Weapons). For more info visit ICAN. Saturday, November 2 Conference: Stand up! Fight back! Ideas to challenge Abbott's agenda. Plenary & workshop topics on: Workers, refugees, the environment: In the firing line but fighting back * What kind of feminism are we fighting for? * Beyond market solutions: Fighting for environmental justice * Towards a socialist Australia * No justice, No peace: Uniting to fight racism. Click for detailed agenda. 10am-5pm. Maritime Union of Australia Hall, 46-54 Ireland St, North Melbourne (5-minute walk from North Melbourne Station). Full day: $15/$8 (includes morning & afternoon tea); half day: $7/$4 (includes morning or afternoon tea) . Lunch available. Organised by Socialist Alliance. For more info ph 9639 8622. Sunday, November 3 Film screening: Mary Meets Mohammad. Tasmania’s first detention centre opens and local knitting club member Mary, a staunchly Christian pensioner, is not welcoming of the 400 male asylum seekers mostly from Afghanistan. Mohammad is a 26 year old Muslim asylum seeker detained inside the centre and an unlikely friendship develops between Mary and Mohammad after her knitting club donates woollen beanies to the asylum seekers. Mary finds many of her prior beliefs are challenged as her relationship with Mohammad deepens. 6:30pm. Premiere + filmmaker Q & A. (Then sessions twice day from November 7-13.) Kino Cinema, 45 Collins St, City. To book ph 9650 2100 or visit Mary meets Mohammad. Wednesday, November 6 Public meeting: Workers power and international action. AAWL co-ordinator Pier Moro reports on his recent visit to India and the struggles of car workers at Maruti Suzuki. 6pm. Evatt Room, Trades Hall. Organised by Australia Asia Worker Links. Thursday, November 7 Rally: Defend women's birthing rights. In defence of  women's right to choose where and how to give birth — a core reproductive right. In Australia and around the world, women are denied this choice: women who assert this right and midwives who support them are threatened and punished with severe legal penalties.  10am. Women's Hospital, cnr Grattan St & Flemington Rd, Parkville. Organised by Campaign for Women's Reproductive Rights. Saturday, November 9 Street meeting: Stop the theft of public housing. Both major parties want to privatise public housing, that is part of the National Affordable Housing Agreement of 2009 to which all states have signed up. But Australia has a housing crisis and public housing is a large part of the solution to that. The privatisation madness must stop. 1pm. Gather underneath statue of St Joan in front of the State Library, Swanston St. Protest: No coal port for Victoria, no port expansion for Hastings. Brown coal export ports have been proposed for Hastings, the Ninety Mile Beach and Corner Inlet. Gippsland communities concerned with the same threat will attend this action.  It is supported by Quit Coal. 2pm. Fred Smith Reserve, Hastings foreshore. For more info visit WPPC Public meeting: Trade unionist refugee activist strategy meeting. The aim of this meeting is to discuss how to build more effective networks between unionists and refugee activists in order to build greater support for the refugee campaign. Speakers: Kevin Bracken (MUA Victorian branch secretary); Jeannie Rea (NTEU national president). 1pm. ANF house, 540 Elizabeth St, City. Organised by Refugee Action Collective. Tuesday, November 12 Public meeting: 17,300 nuclear weapons. Screening Maralinga Pieces, Genie in a bottle: Unleashedand The War Game. Speakers: Dimity Hawkins, Tim Wright (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) and Gisela Gardener. 7pm. Longplay Bar and Cinema, 318 St Georges Rd, North Fitzroy. Hosted by the ACE Collective. Sunday, November 17 Rally: National day of climate action. 11am. Treasury Place, City. Organised by GetUp. For more info visit GetUp. Monday, November 18 Rally: Canberra convergence to demand a fair go for refugees & asylum seekers. It's time to tell our parliamentarians to stop violating human rights and adopt compassionate policies that protect asylum seekers. Parliament House, Canberra. To join the bus from Melbourne, emailtrconcepts@netspace.net.au or ph 0409 252 673. Organised by Refugee Action Network. Friday, November 22 Rod Quantock: Forty-five and counting. A walk down Memory Tollway (Rod remembers when it was a Lane) as Australia’s most seriously funny comedian reveals the things that have made him laugh for the last 45 years and sets a course for the next 45. Doors open 7pm (for 7:30pm start). To book visitTicketek. Saturday, November 23 Rally: Equal marriage rights now. 1pm. State Library, 328 Swanston St, City. Tuesday, November 26 Public meeting: Muckaty & radioactive waste. Screening Muckaty Voices and Into Eternity.Speaker: Dave Sweeney (Australian Conservation Foundation). 7pm. Longplay Bar and Cinema, 318 St Georges Rd, North Fitzroy. Hosted by the ACE Collective. Friday, December 13-Sunday, December 15 Conference: How to make a revolution. Ideas for socialist youth. For young people across Australia and the world, these are difficult times. The newly elected Coalition led by the bigot Tony Abbott is rolling out a wave of cuts and attacks against young people, students, the LGBTIQ community, women, indigenous people, workers and refugees, while around the world governments and the ruling elite attempt to hold onto power against a rising tide of furious and marginalised young people.This is a conference to help young people who are ready and willing to challenge the system to develop a political understanding of the oppressive system we live under and a clear analysis of how to change it. Brisbane Activist Centre, 74b Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley. Organ ised by Resistance & Socialist Alliance. For more info ph 9639 8622.

Thursday, October 31 Warragul Public meeting: CSG information night. Speakers include: Mark Ogge (Australia Institute). 7pm. Warragul Community House, 138 Normanby St, Warragul. For more info ph Cathy or Judy on 5623 6032. Saturday, November 9 Benalla Public meeting: Stop the boats, burn the boats or welcome the boats? Speakers: Julian Burnside & Pamela Curr (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre). This public forum will discuss the current political and social implications of seeking asylum in Australia and ways in which we might respond to the need for safe refuge in Australia. 6pm. FCJ College, Wedge St, Benalla.

Beyond Zero Emissions Melbourne branch. We meet on the third Monday of every month at Level 2, Kindness House, 288 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. For more info email Chitra Perez or ph 0401 087 085. Friends of the Earth's Anti-Nuclear & Clean Energy (ACE) collective. Meets every second Tuesday. FoE office, 312 Smith St, Collingwood. For meeting times & more info email Zin. Indigenous Social Justice Association. The Indigenous Social Justice Association was established in January 2005 campaigns to permanently stop Aboriginal deaths in custody. During 2013, ISJA will meet the first Thursday of every month. For more info visit ISJA. Melbourne Feminist Action Group. It's time to put women's rights back on the public agenda. We've started an open organising group and everyone's invited, from already existing women's rights groups and activist organisations, to women and men who may never have been involved in feminist action in their lives but just want to do something. For more info ph 0438 869 790 or email us. Quit Coal: No New Coal Power for Victoria. A Melbourne-based collective which campaigns against expansion of the coal industry in Victoria. We believe this is important because building new coal infrastructure locks in decades of dirty, old technology, when we should be moving towards clean, renewable energy. Quit Coal meets each Wednesday at 6pm, at FOE, 312 Smith St, Collingwood. For more info visit Quit Coal or email us. Refugee Action Collective. Established in 2000, RAC is a democratic, grassroots activist collective, representing a broad cross section of the community. It aims to mobilise opposition to Australia's inhuman refugee policies. For more info ph 0413 377 978 or visit RAC. Victorian Climate Action Calendar. For a comprehensive list of climate action events in our state. To subscribe to the calendar email Monique Decortis. Weekly updates are e-mailed out and online updates are available at VCAC. To add an event to the calendar, please download the Event Template from the website. Feel free to forward the VCAC to other interested people. Workers Solidarity Network. WSN believes that we, as workers, have the power to improve our working conditions and bring about positive social change. WSN believes that the only way to bring about a fairer share of resources in our society in by forming active unions and community organisations to fight for it. For more info visit WSN. Yarra Campaign for Action on Transport: Stop the East-West Link – Support Doncaster Rail. For all information on the campaign against the East-West Tunnel (pickets, meetings, info) visit YCAT.

Recent articles from Green Left Weekly

Climate change is a political problem Socialist councillor re-elected in Fremantle No winners in Labor leadership poll Government refugee secrecy fails Check out Green Left TV: See Rape Culture, Misogyny and the Fight Against Women's Oppression To subscribe to Green Left Weekly visit our secure online website for rates and payment or call our national hotline on 1800 634 206. Join us on Facebook. You can also contact us at the Resistance Centre, 5th floor, 407 Swanston St, City; ph 9639 8622. In Geelong: Activist Centre, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St (opening hours: Mon 2-4.30pm, Fri 10am-4.30pm); ph 5222 6900.

Links: 'Socialism for the 21st century'

Links is an online journal which seeks to provide a forum for open and constructive dialogue between active socialists from different political traditions. It seeks to bring together those in the international left who are opposed to neoliberal economic and social policies, and reject the bureaucratic model of 'socialism' that arose in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Inspired by the unfolding socialist revolution in Venezuela, Links is a journal for 'Socialism of the 21st Century' and the discussions and debates flowing from that powerful example of socialist renewal. John Bellamy Foster: The epochal crisis -- the combined capitalist economic and planetary ecological crises Malaysia: Kampong Hakka -– when 100 years of community residence does not matter Thailand: The bloody civil war in Patani and the way to achieve peace Bolivia: Workers to take over closed or abandoned firms; The working class and the political process

Socialist Alliance: Broad, non-sectarian, activist

Socialist Alliance is a proud supporter of the Green Left Weekly project and contributes a regular column. Socialist Alliance is a broad, non-sectarian socialist party, dedicated to bringing together all those who want to resist the capitalist assault on our planet and its people and fight for a socialist society that puts people's needs before business profits. Anyone who agrees with the general approach of our policies is welcome to join and organisations are invited to affiliate. For more information visit Socialist Alliance or join us on Facebook. See our recent statements: Women’s rights, not prisons and police Reject government secrecy on refugee arrivals Four reasons to stop the East-West Tunnel Contact Socialist Alliance. Join with other socialists in the struggle. Melbourne: Visit us at the Resistance Centre, 5th floor, 407 Swanston St, City; ph 9639 8622. In Melbourne, Socialist Alliance meets on the first Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm, at the Resistance Centre. Geelong: Activist Centre, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St (opening hours: Mon 2-4:30pm, Fri 10am-4:30pm); ph 5222 6900.

Moreland Socialists

Moreland Socialists is open to anyone (even if you live outside the area) who wants to work constructively to support Socialist Alliance councillor Sue Bolton and use her position to build up a stronger activist left presence in Moreland. In general, we meet monthly and alternate between Coburg and Fawkner. If you want to get involved in the group, email us at Socialist Alliance or phone Sue on 9639 8622 or 0413 377 978. For news and opinion visit Sue's Moreland Report or Facebook.