Newswire

The BBC has relegated the seventh and final episode of the Frozen Planet series presented by Sir David Attenborough to an optional extra. The seventh episode - On Thin Ice - deals with how climate change and global warming is impacting the polar regions and how it affects us all. The final episode is heavily narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

Saturday 19 November 2011 has been called to be the national day of action on ABORIGINAL DEATHS IN CUSTODY.

This is an urgent and strong call for real justice for all aboriginal deaths in custody victims and their families. From 1980 there have been over 400 deaths in custody nationally and no police, jail or custodial health officer has ever been found guilty of any crime in an Australian court of law.

A lot of people have asked “what does Occupy Melbourne stand for”. In order to make this clearer I have gone through the available but incomplete minutes from the first 17 General Assemblies and grouped all political motions passed as well as listed targets for protests and workshops held. Below this I have also placed the draft declaration which is expected to go to the GA for consideration on Wednesday prepared by the Declaration Working Group. It would be interesting to read whether people think the declaration represents the motions passed at GA’s or not. Perhaps some of these motions could be also be highlighted by the media team as well when asked what OM “stands for”. It should be noted that I am sure more political proposals and action if GA’s had not had to constant ongoing harassment from the authorities.

GECO Media Release 14/11/11

Tree-sit stops old-growth logging

Conservationists highlighting the ongoing destruction of old-growth forests in East Gippsland have stopped logging on the Errinundra Plateau by attaching a tree-sit to five logging machines.

The tree-sit is suspended 40 metres high in the tree canopy and is held up by interwoven rope that is tied to the equipment.

Victorian Environment groups gathered to protest the Environment and climate actions of the Baillieu Victorian State Government on Sunday November 13, 2011 on the steps of State Parliament. To highlight the direction the Government is taking Victoria's environment, the protesters marched backwards to the Treasury Gardens.

Related: Melbourne Protests report | Flickr Photos from Friends of the Earth | Takver
Background: Coalition’s 2km wind farm veto sets a risky precedent | Retreating on climate policy - Victorian Government stops discussions on Hazelwood closure | Victorian Government needs to come clean on plan to achieve 20 percent emissions cut by 2020

By Rainforest Rescue

The Mekong River and the millions of people it supports are in jeopardy. In the next few months, regional governments will decide whether to proceed with plans to build the Xayaburi Dam in northern Laos, the first of 11 dams planned for the Lower Mekong Mainstream.

In April, regional governments delayed a decision on the Xayaburi Dam, largely because of the huge public opposition to the dam expressed by civil society groups, NGOs and individuals throughout the region and the world. It is critical that we again make our voices heard.

by ray jackson, president, indigenous social justice association

a couple of evenings ago i had the distinct pleasure of having a long conversation with rex snr. and being informed of the travails that the family has been put through and that they have faced so courageously.

their struggle for justice from both the wa government and their police has been a bitter one as the government has scuttled for cover as the police have been manufacturing their usual skulduggery and lies.

Newsletter date: 12 November 2011

Contents:
* 'cA': Cuts to Welfare Payments for School Non-Attendance
* Thanks from leaders to supporters of the Yolngu Nations Assembly
* Paddy Gibson and Barb Shaw: Alternative to the NT Intervention
* Emma Murphy: New NT education policy still sidelines Indigenous language
* Amnesty: Stronger futures in the NT must be a product of the people
* Greens Rachel Siewert: Smarter investments the key for the NT
* More on the National Health Leadership Forum (NHLF)
* What’s Working: So No to Government Intervention

James Muldoon who gallantly took the City of Melbourne to court over his right to put up some small tents in a public place so that people could protest has lost his first battle. This is a big disappointment for Occupy Melbourne who were recently served with a notice not to erect tents or bring any "things" - such as trestle tables and signs - into Treasury Gardens. Muldoon had sought an interlocutory injunction against the notice but this was not granted in the Federal Court today.