East Timor solidarity
ADELAIDE — Artist Robyn Francis spoke with much feeling about the plight of East Timor under Indonesian occupation to 70 people at public meeting on March 29, organised by the Campaign for an Independent East Timor.
Abel Guterres from the East Timor Relief Association and Dr Michael Sullivan, a lecturer in politics, outlined the worsening situation in East Timor since the economic crisis began. Prices of basic goods are higher and the military crackdown has intensified.
Motions were passed supporting aid for East Timor, an end to Australian military cooperation with the regime, an international agreement on Indonesia's withdrawal from East Timor, and for Suharto to be tried for war crimes.
Anti-Hanson protest
CANBERRA — Sixty activists and local residents attended a rally to protest against a $35-a-head dinner for Pauline Hanson on April 2. The spirited rally was confronted by 50 police and tactical response group officers, sent to defend Hanson's supporters.
Despite only a handful of people seen entering the dinner, the local media reported an attendance of 200.
Suharto condemned
PERTH — At the April 1 meeting of WA's Student Union Network (SUN), a resolution was passed condemning the Indonesian regime's crackdown on members of the People's Democratic Party and Student Solidarity with Democracy in Indonesia. The resolution called for the release of Mugianto, Nezar Patria, Aan Rusidanto, Andi Arief and all political prisoners in Indonesia.
SUN members plan to seek endorsement of the resolution by university guilds, request that all campus newspapers publish it and promote the 'adoption' of imprisoned SMID and PRD members as honorary members of WA guilds.
Wik bill
CANBERRA — Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation held a lunchtime rally in front of Parliament House to coincide with round two of the Wik debate in the Senate on April 2. Advertising of the rally began only the day before, but more than 300 activists attended.
The protesters were addressed by ANTaR members; Gladys Tyningoopa from the Wik people; Galawuy Yunipingu, head of the Cape York Land Council; and ATSIC head, Gatjil Djerrkura.
Feminism and socialism seminar
PERTH — On March 14, 25 people attended a Feminism and Socialism seminar at the Resistance Centre. They discussed the origins of women's oppression, the relevance of women's liberation to socialism, past struggles of the women's liberation movement, and what is needed to win the struggle today.
Kurdish celebrate new year
PERTH — More than 40 people from the Kurdish community and the Democratic Socialist Party celebrated the Kurdish new year (Newroz) here on March 21.
Rafet from the Kurdish community spoke about the significance of Newroz and its banning by the Turkish government. "Newroz has been a symbol of rebellion throughout Kurdish history. It has been a symbol against colonialism and cruelty", he said.
91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly and Kurdish activists are distributing T-shirts with the slogan, "Either socialism or nothing. Either humanity or death". Proceeds will go to the Kurdish independence struggle and 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳. To order, telephone Roberto or Brinder on 9227 7367.
Feminism conference
BRISBANE — A Fight Sexism conference, organised by the Democratic Socialist Party and Resistance, attracted 40 people on March 28.
Giselle Caplin came under particular fire for her caricaturing of Marxist feminism in her book The Meagre Harvest. Caplin cites British International Socialist Organisation leader Tony Cliff's condemnation of an independent feminist movement as representative of all Marxists, a depiction which DSP speaker Kerry Vernon roundly rejected.
A series of workshops dealt with issues such as the campaign for women's right to choose abortion and debunking the beauty myth. Resistance organiser Ruth Ratcliffe criticised post-modernist and individualistic theories that have arisen in the 1990s to explain women's oppression. "While she's busy being a piece of chocolate", Ratcliffe said, referring to DIY Feminism author Cathy Bale, "women continue to be raped, receive half the wages of men and are not entitled to free, safe abortions."
The conference was followed by a solidarity night for Dita Sari, Indonesia's only woman political prisoner.