Feature

Oppose the Malaysian 'solution' - End mandatory detention. Rally and march - 13 May 2011

A few days after the Malaysian Bar Association issued a statement opposing the recently-announced refugee swap between the Malaysian and Australian governments (“Asylum seekers and refugees are not commodities to be traded” – full text given below), the Refugee Action Collective in Melbourne called a protest at the GPO in Bourke Street, followed by a march down to the steps of Flinders Street Station.

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Efforts to undermine the nationalism and militarism of ANZAC Day continue

On 25th of April each year, Australia “celebrates” ANZAC Day. The day has become a chance to whip up nationalist fervour and to perpetuate the myth that Australian identity was formed during the carnarge of World War One. Instead of being a day to remember the victims of war it pushes the historical lie that “our freedoms” were won and protected by participating in a imperialist invasion of Turkey on behalf of “King and Country”. The myth serves helps to bolster our current involvement in imperialist wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. However the peace movement and the left continue to try to undermine these militaristic efforts and mark ANZAC day differently by holding a range of peace and social justice events around Australia and by publishing articles in the alternative press that offer a counter historical view.

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Mass arrests at protest to stop destruction of Tasmanian heritage site

Twenty one protestors have been arrested trying to stop the start of construction of a section of a road bridge that will destroy a nationally listed heritage site that contains evidence of Aboriginal occupation of Tasmania going back 42,000 years. The Tasmanian Government claims it is "too expensive" to re-route the bridge demonstrating that in 2011 Aboriginal culture and heritage is still seen as both an impediment to "progress" and disposable.

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Protest against children in Immigration detention at Broadmeadows

The Gillard Government made a commitment in 2010 to release all children from immigration detention by June 2011, but still 1000 children languish in the harsh environment of immigration camps around Australia. The Refugee Action Collective organised a protest yesterday outside the Broadmeadows Detention Centre which currently houses 140 young asylum seekers from the ages of 13-18.

Related: Melbourne Protests report | MITA demonstration - different activist responses | Video of direct action at Broadmeadows Detention Centre: Detainees escape, activists capsicum sprayed and arrested | Youtube Videos - speech by Nicole Mousely, Video by izzywombat | Flickr photos by Takver | Refugee Action Collective - Vic

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Blockaders claim victory at Tara: Queensland Gas Company in breach of environmental authority

Lock the Gate Press Release April 3rd 2011 The blockaders at the Tara residential estate claimed victory today in their campaign to stop QGC (British Gas) from building a pipeline on to their estate. The police have packed up and left, telling the protest group this was a "civil matter now". QGC have stopped all work on the pipeline.

Related: Drew Hutton arrested at gas pipeline blockade (31/3/11) |
Arrests begin at Tara gas pipeline blockade (16/3/11) |
Gas exploration faces grassroots stand off in Southern Queensland (28/2/11)

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Australia as “last bastion for the Aryan race”

Goodooga, northwest NSW, 30 March - - An Aboriginal leader convening a summit at Easter argues that Australia’s desire to be the last bastion for the Aryan race, as was stated at Federation in 1901, continues to drive Australian governments of all political persuasions. Michael Anderson, the last survivor of the four 1972 founders of the Aboriginal embassy in Canberra and leader of the 3,000 Euahlayi, says in a media release that the New Way Sovereignty Summit in Canberra will challenge Australia’s application for a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

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Sydney International Women's Day march for equality

I’m still riding a high from the IWD march now more than a week ago in my life. Marching along with a few thousand like minded people and being smiled at by pedestrians brings much joy. From the outset the energy was high, the celebration was just as important as the struggle for what we still confront to achieve Equality and Fairness for Women in this world we live in. I love the diversity of those who come to IWD, I love the different groups of women – our Indigenous sisters, those from other Nations, unionists, Lesbians, community groups, our elders of the feminist movement.

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Japan nuke crisis sparks rethink of nukes globally

“Fukushima is everywhere – We will get in the way,” says the yellow part, “Switch off all atomic installations worldwide,” says the red and white part. From a demo in Gorleben, a German nuclear waste dump.

The unfolding disaster of earthquakes, tsunami and nuclear meltdown in Japan has stirred up debate about the future of the nuclear industry while the Japanese government and pro nuclear advocates continue to minimise the situation. The nuclear situation is further intensifying the country's woes as thousands of bodies of tsunami and earthquake victims are being recovered.

Related stories: Fukushima radiation spreading worldwide | 250,000 in "biggest ever" anti-nuclear protests in Germany | German government looking to insure new quake-vulnerable Brazilian nuke | Germany temporarily switching off seven nukes, may rescind longer running times
| Nuclear suspension faces court challenge by power company RWE | Merkel aims to speed Germany's nuclear energy exit | Uranium - Our part in nuclear fire is fuel for thought | Indigenous communities getting dumped in it. Again. | Nuclear waste an ever-growing problem for the US | Battle-proof Wind Farms Survive Japan's Trial by Fire | Japanese wind farm owners have been asked to step up production to help cover energy shortages

Japan IMC: Fear Mushrooms in Japan as Nuclear Cataclysm Spreads | Truthout - Greg Palast on Tokyo Electric to Build US Nuclear Plants: The No BS Info on Japan's Disastrous Nuclear Operators | Indybay: Political Debate Unleashed in California by Devastation in Japan | Phillipines: Network Opposed to the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant | Linksunten IMC (Germany): Wave of anti-nuclear protest after reactor accidents in Japan |Helen Caldicott offers dire warnings

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Tear gas used on detainees on Christmas Island

In yet another disturbing incident within Australian detention centres, tear gas and possibly even rubber bullets have been used by the Australian Federal Police on Christmas Island against protesting detainees. With over 6000 people being held in detention and an increasing cycle of protests, escapes, hunger strikes, self-harm and repression within centres it is clear that the ALP has delivered a detention regime every bit as soul destroying as Howard.

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