Newswire

I would like to request all who are able to sign the statement of support for the 'Boycott Israel 19' defense campaign. On the 1st of July, 19 activists including myself were arrested by police in a clear attempt to stop effective political activism in support of Palestinian rights. The campaign has been growing as part of the global movement of Boycott, Divestment and Sanction against Israel and it's continuing violation of human rights. The rally on July 1, is a continuation of regular rallies around Melbourne Central and QV where Max Brenner operates. Max Brenner has been a target of this campaign because of it's proud support of the Israeli Defense Force, providing "care packages" to the military and particularly key brigades who were instrumental in the assault on Gaza of 2008/2009. For more information please visit http://boycottisrael19.wordpress.com.

After the success of the campaign launch in Morwell last month the Earthworker Cooperative is now launching the 100,000 Australians Campaign nationally.

“We are going to grow Australian manufacturing jobs which produce the renewable energy goods and work our way out of the climate emergency,” says Dave Kerin, national coordinator of the 100,000 Australians Campaign.

Several hundred people - along with their babies and dogs - rallied in the heart of Byron at Railway Park to express their opposition to the deadly uranium industry on Sat 6th Aug, Hiroshima Day and to stand in solidarity with the people of Fukushima.

Quoting economist Joseph Steiglitz, MC Harsha Prabhu pointed out the similarities between Wall Street and Fukushima, both symbols of rogue capitalism: delusional speculation, technological hubris, public subsidies and private greed. The fate of the planet hinged on who would win the war: the corporations or the people.

Below is a reprinted article from the Direct Action Socialist newspaper about an anti-racism rally in Brisbane. The text is by Owain Jones. The rhetoric of groups such as the APDM is the same as the Norwegian killer Andrew Brevnick who demonstrated the dangers that can follow from allowing right wing Islamophobes to flourish. These groups feed off the Islamophobia and xenophobia of the mainstream political parties to try and create an opening for the growth of far right nationalism/facism withint the community.

The Sharehood started in 2008 as an idea. Theo was living in an inner city suburb of Melbourne’s north and his house didn’t have a washing machine. He was walking to a friends’ house to do his laundry when he realised many folks in his street would have washing machines and if he knew his neighbours, he might have been able to borrow theirs. He made a list of all the things that could be shared between neighbours and it was a long list! Then he distributed a letter to the people living within a 5 minute walk of his home, to share his idea and ask them to contact him to get involved.

Media Release 6/8/2011 Today activists from The Sydney Forest Defense Crew have staged a protest at the Harvey Norman Complex in Alexandria. The company is being targeted for selling furniture and flooring made from native forest timbers. 27-year-old Matthew Rider has scaled the building's atrium to suspend a banner that labels Australia's biggest furniture retailer 'Forest Destroyers'. The activists have also suspended a stereo system playing sounds of chainsaws and falling trees.

15 members of the community based direct action group Code Green have today staged a dramatic protest outside the state labour conference in Launceston. Two activists scaled 12m high flagpoles outside the Country Club Casino and unfurled a banner calling for the immediate placement of 572 000 ha of high conservation value native forest into formal reserves.

“The current Heads of Agreement deal does nothing to ensure the formal protection of Tasmania’s unique native forests and only delivers a short term band-aid for a failed forest industry,”* Code Green spokesperson Ali Alishah said.

Vibewire is calling for submissions from aspiring writers, journalists, photographers and artists.

by Gerry Georgatos An Aboriginal youth, Rex Bellotti Jnr, aged 15 was run over by a police four-wheel-drive Holden Rodeo and more than two years have passed without any compensation, without any closure. When it comes to Aboriginal victims this is nothing new.