Indigenous women meet
MELBOURNE — On July 26, 200 people, mainly women, heard Aboriginal women discuss how to fight Howard and Hanson's racism and win justice for Aboriginal people.
Monica Morgan, a Yorta Yorta woman, explained that the only way to fight the system is outside the system by getting people on to the streets and to not playing the political parties' games.
In mid-July, 200 mainly young Aboriginal people assembled in Echuca in northern Victoria, where the Yorta Yorta are claiming traditional land, to demonstrate against Howard and Hanson's racism. Morgan emphasised that the land rights campaign needs to work in solidarity with the Ngarrindjeri women of SA and the Mirrar people threatened by the Jabiluka uranium mine. Prominent indigenous activist and author, Roberta Sykes, also spoke.
Emergency protest for Burma
SYDNEY — An emergency protest calling for economic sanctions against the military junta in Burma was held on July 31. About 40 people gathered outside John Howard's office to demand stronger actions by the Australian government in support of democracy and the National League for Democracy's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. The rally was called by the All Burma Students Democratic Organisation (ABSDO).
The ABSDO issued a statement demanding that the Australian government pressure the regime to: engage in dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and allow her to convene a national parliament by August 21; free all political prisoners, including student leader Min Ko Naing; and, reopen all universities and colleges. It is feared that the military regime will resort to greater terror to quell protests and commemorations of the August 8, 1988 uprising.
Speakers included ABSDO's Maung Maung Than; Tin Htut, an NLD member elected in 1990 election; and National Union of Students and Democratic Socialist Party representatives.
45 years of revolution
CANBERRA — The Australia-Cuba Friendship Society hosted a dinner and video night at the Canberra Labour Club on July 27 to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the July 26 assault on the Moncada Barracks. Around 60 people attended.
The video, Who's Afraid of the Little Yellow Bus, provided valuable insights into the efforts of many people in the US to end their government's blockade of Cuba. Coordinated by Pastors for Peace in Canada and the US, the bus and an entourage of support vehicles travelled through both countries in 1993 collecting donations for Cuba, especially medicines and computers.
Jose Luiz Munoz, a teacher and organiser with the Chilean Teachers Federation, read greetings from the union and ACFS branch president Ted Forbes spoke about the need for ongoing support for the Cuban revolution.
In Melbourne, about 60 people attended a Democratic Socialist Party public forum on Cuba and its future. Latrobe University lecturer Barry Carr, and DSP member and Latin America solidarity activist Margarita Windisch, addressed the meeting, provoking a lively discussion among participants.
Northcote rallies against racism
MELBOURNE — Local rallies against racism in Northcote in the lead up to the August 15 by-election are galvanising the anti-One Nation sentiment in the electorate. On July 25, 200 people marched against racism, and another march is planned for August 8.
The August 8 rally, called by the Democratic Socialists and Resistance, will begin at Northcote Town Hall at 10.30am. Speakers will include anti-racism campaign activists and those offering an alternative to both One Nation and the ALP in the by-election (the Liberals are not standing). To help advertise the rally, phone Maurice or Jorge on 9329 1320.