Burmese protest arrests
SYDNEY — Burmese exiles and supporters held an emergency action outside NSW Parliament House on May 12 to protest against the Burmese military regime's arrest of U Aye Thar Aung, a leader of the Committee Representing People's Parliament.
The protesters called for immediate government action to secure the release of all political prisoners, estimated to number 3000, including more than 50 parliamentarians from opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy.
The Free Burma Action Committee is planning a national day of action in Canberra on May 25 and protests every Friday in Sydney. For more details, contact Maung Maung Than on 0411 337 816.
May Day in Sydney
SYDNEY — Three thousand trade unionists and political activists marched through the streets here on May 7 for the anniversary of May Day, many wearing red head-bands in solidarity with the struggle of auto workers in South Korea.
Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon spoke bitterly of the state Labor government's betrayal of NSW teachers and asked those present to back the teachers' just demands to the hilt.
Other speakers included Ross Collison from the Australian Workers Union, Jesse Wynhausen from the Campaign Against Corporate Tyranny in Unity and Solidarity (CACTUS), and Washington Ali from the Movement for Democratic Change in Zimbabwe.
May Day in Wollongong
Five hundred workers and activists held a colourful march through the streets of Wollongong on May 6, led by workers from Joy Mining, who have been locked out by their employer. Contingents from unions, left political parties and community organisations followed the miners' band to Civic Plaza, red flags a-flutter, a pipe band bringing up the rear.
Andrew Whiley from the Australian Workers Union praised the struggles of the Parrish meatworkers, the Joy Mining workers and the (so far successful) campaign against the local Stellar call centre.
Salsa for CISLAC
NEWCASTLE — Sabroson, an Afro-Cuban and Latin salsa dance band from Sydney, entertained an audience of 160 at a May 12 benefit gig at the Newcastle Workers Club for the Committees in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean (CISLAC).
The crowd danced enthusiastically to Sabroson's lively interpretation of meringue, rumba, cha-cha, samba, cumbia and salsa rhythms and contributed greatly to aid projects in Latin America.
The dance, an annual event, was organised by CISLAC with support from the May Day Committee, the Workers Cultural Action Committee, Newcastle University Resistance Club, Green Left Weekly, Cultural Dissent, the Newcastle Workers Club and local entertainment journalists.
Greenpeace protest
CANBERRA — Greenpeace activists protested outside the Japanese embassy here on May 12 against raids on Greenpeace Japan's office and the organisation's flagship, the Rainbow Warrior. The protesters also demanded the release of four climbers who were arrested in Tokyo on May 9 in an action against dioxin pollution.
The climbers scaled the tower of the world's largest waste incinerator to protest against the Japanese government's "mad rush to burn policy". Japan has one of the highest total emissions of dioxins in the world.
In response, 30 police raided the Rainbow Warrior and the Tokyo office. They seized banners and newsletters claiming they were seeking "evidence" against the climbers.