S11 debrief
BRISBANE — Activists who travelled from Brisbane to participate in the blockade of the World Economic Forum meeting in Melbourne on September 11-13 told their side of the story at a public meeting on October 19.
Called by the Action Coalition for Economic Justice and WTO Watch, the crowd enthusiastically recalled the three days of people's protest. An extensive photo gallery showed highlights of the protest and SKA TV's video Melbourne Rising plus film footage by a local activist launched a discussion of participants' experiences.
S11 fundraiser
HOBART — An October 20 double-billing of documentaries about the S11 blockade of the World Economic Forum, Melbourne Rising by SKA TV and S11: This is what Democracy Looks Like by Actively Radical TV, raised several hundred dollars for S11 legal and medical costs.
Veteran activist Jack Lomax reflected on years of struggle, noting that police violence is not a new phenomenon. Resistance organiser Bea Brear spoke about plans for the global worker and student strike against corporate tyranny on May 1, 2001.
Latino solidarity
BRISBANE — Seven-piece Cuban band Tres de la Habana performed to 250 people on October 14, raising funds for solidarity with the Latin American peoples' struggles for justice. Opposition to the United States' blockade of Cuba was at the forefront.
The $3500 raised will be divided between the four organising groups — the Committee in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean, the Australia Cuba Friendship Society, the Latin American Women's Group and Australian Aid for El Salvador.
Refugee supporters rally
BRISBANE — "Full rights for refugees!" was the cry of more than 100 people who gathered in Suncorp Park here on October 14 and then marched on the offices of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and the Liberal Party.
The rally, held at the beginning of Refugee Week, was called by the International Socialist Organisation. QUT lecturer Ross Daniels and others spoke of the harshness of immigration minister Philip Ruddock's anti-refugee policy.
At Liberal headquarters, other speakers, including members of Resistance, rejected the racism of both major parties and called for a massive campaign for real rights for refugees.
Cuban sports exhibition
NEWCASTLE — An exhibition of posters and photographs celebrating Cuba's sporting achievements was opened by Maria Luisa Fernandez, the Cuban Consul General to Australia, on October 20. Fernandez condemned recent US legislation to tighten the economic blockade against Cuba and informed the audience that Cuba's 21-member Paralympics team had just won its first gold medal, in judo.
The exhibition is at the View Factory Arts Caf‚ in Newcastle East until November 4. It is sponsored by the Committees in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean and the Australia Cuba Friendship Society.