London Socialist Resistance MEETING:Wednesday 20 January, 7.30pm
Indian YMCA, Fitzroy Sq. W1 (Warren St. tube)
Women and the crisis
Speaker: Terry Conway (Socialist Resistance)
Today we face an economic, ecological, social and political crisis of unparalleled proportions. This meeting will examine the crisis from women’s point of view.
Women were already at the bottom of the pile - so feel the effects of new disasters most acutely.
Women’s subordinate place within the labour market and within society, even after the gains made by the women’s liberation movement, reflect the sexual division of labour within the family. The family continues to reproduce notions that women are inherently inferior to men - or have destinies only as care givers - a particularly important notion as all the main parties push for public spending cuts.
Women are often at the forefront on resistance - as climate change activists, as trade union activists, as anti-imperialists - but the left has to make the fight for women's liberation more central to what it says and does.
Thursday, 7 January 2010
VIVA PALESTINA CONVOY ENTERS GAZA
(from STW newsletter)
One month, thousands of miles, ten countries, one ship and a
four flights later, the Viva Palestina convoy has begun to
enter the besieged Gaza Strip.
The Viva Palestina aid convoy, which planned to enter Gaza on
27 December but has been blocked by the Egyptian government
and was viciously attacked by Egyptian riot police.
For lots of video coverage and reports and how you can send
messages of protest to the Egyptian embassy, go to:
http://bit.ly/pPrky
One month, thousands of miles, ten countries, one ship and a
four flights later, the Viva Palestina convoy has begun to
enter the besieged Gaza Strip.
The Viva Palestina aid convoy, which planned to enter Gaza on
27 December but has been blocked by the Egyptian government
and was viciously attacked by Egyptian riot police.
For lots of video coverage and reports and how you can send
messages of protest to the Egyptian embassy, go to:
http://bit.ly/pPrky
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
CAROLINE LUCAS' Statement on Viva palestina convoy
CAROLINE LUCAS' Statement
06 January 2010
Caroline Lucas said ‘I am deeply concerned by the news that the Viva Palestina humanitarian aid convoy has come under attack from the Egyptian security forces while being held up in the port of Al-Arish. Reports have been coming through from the convoy of numerous injuries and some arrests.
‘The convoy of aid vehicles set off in December to break to current blockade of Gaza and deliver much needed humanitarian aid to its imprisoned population. Since reaching Egypt the convoy has had numerous obstacles and diversions put in its way by the Egyptian authorities.'
The Viva Palestina/ Palestine Solidarity Convoy of 210 aid vehicles is carrying medical supplies, food and educational materials. The Egyptian government has now made it impossible for all the vehicles to enter Gaza through the Rafah Crossing. They are instead requiring that some of the vehicles pass from Egypt to Israel, and then from Israel into Gaza via an Israeli-controlled checkpoint. There is no guarantee that Israel will let them through to the Gaza strip (1).
Richard Falk, UN Special Rapporteur stated last month that 'two urgent priorities must be stressed on this dismal anniversary: first, Israel 's allies must demand, with a commitment reinforced by a credible threat of economic sanctions, that Israel immediately end its illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip. Second, the Goldstone Report's recommendations, having confirmed the commission of war crimes possibly amounting to Crimes Against Humanity, by Israel and Hamas, must be fully and swiftly implemented.' (2).
Read more about the convoy at http://vivapalestina.org
1. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/06/george-galloway-gaza-aid-convoy
2. http://www.vivapalestina.org/alerts/concern_050109.htm
http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/green-party-leader-responds-to-developments-in-gaza-as-aid-convoy-attacked.html
06 January 2010
Caroline Lucas said ‘I am deeply concerned by the news that the Viva Palestina humanitarian aid convoy has come under attack from the Egyptian security forces while being held up in the port of Al-Arish. Reports have been coming through from the convoy of numerous injuries and some arrests.
‘The convoy of aid vehicles set off in December to break to current blockade of Gaza and deliver much needed humanitarian aid to its imprisoned population. Since reaching Egypt the convoy has had numerous obstacles and diversions put in its way by the Egyptian authorities.'
The Viva Palestina/ Palestine Solidarity Convoy of 210 aid vehicles is carrying medical supplies, food and educational materials. The Egyptian government has now made it impossible for all the vehicles to enter Gaza through the Rafah Crossing. They are instead requiring that some of the vehicles pass from Egypt to Israel, and then from Israel into Gaza via an Israeli-controlled checkpoint. There is no guarantee that Israel will let them through to the Gaza strip (1).
Richard Falk, UN Special Rapporteur stated last month that 'two urgent priorities must be stressed on this dismal anniversary: first, Israel 's allies must demand, with a commitment reinforced by a credible threat of economic sanctions, that Israel immediately end its illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip. Second, the Goldstone Report's recommendations, having confirmed the commission of war crimes possibly amounting to Crimes Against Humanity, by Israel and Hamas, must be fully and swiftly implemented.' (2).
Read more about the convoy at http://vivapalestina.org
1. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/06/george-galloway-gaza-aid-convoy
2. http://www.vivapalestina.org/alerts/concern_050109.htm
http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/green-party-leader-responds-to-developments-in-gaza-as-aid-convoy-attacked.html
Green Left agrees to support the “Hands off my Workmate” campaign
MOTION passed by Green Left Steering Committee 5/1/2010
“Green Left agrees to support the “Hands off my Workmate” campaign, which aims to prevent the use of Immigration law and the Borders Agency by employers to intimidate migrant workers, especially those who seek to exercise their rights to join and organise Trades Unions.”
Aims of HOMW
We believe:
1. That the introduction of immigration checks and immigration raids in the workplace is divisive and damaging to union organisation and is designed to create pressure on migrant workers not to organise or to take part in action.
2. That companies who operate outsourced services such as cleaning, wish to operate in a non union, low wage, environment and are using immigration checks as a weapon to drive down pay and conditions. If they succeed in lowering conditions for one part of the workforce—then all are damaged.
3. An injury to one is an injury to all. Workers of all countries of origin require unity to fight for secure jobs, decent wages and safe working conditions and immigration checks at work simply divide and weaken us.
4. Fascist groups like the BNP have grown on the back of a climate of fear about migration generated by politicians seeking to lay the blame for economic crisis at the door of working people from other countries.
5. That the students and staff of SOAS who launched immediate protests, including a student occupation, to win protection for their migrant workmates/students are to be congratulated for forcing their management to request the immediate issue of papers to the cleaners held in detention, the return of those detained and to acknowledge the lecturers UCU policy of non co-operation with immigration controls as well as agreeing to reconsider the outsourcing of cleaning contracts.
6. That immigration raids in the workplace risk the health and safety of our members by bringing the potential for violence into our workplace through the entry of riot style squads hunting down workers and also create stress for all staff who witness such raids or who have colleagues & friends detained in them.
7. Employers do not need to, and should not, facilitate such raids.
“Green Left agrees to support the “Hands off my Workmate” campaign, which aims to prevent the use of Immigration law and the Borders Agency by employers to intimidate migrant workers, especially those who seek to exercise their rights to join and organise Trades Unions.”
Aims of HOMW
We believe:
1. That the introduction of immigration checks and immigration raids in the workplace is divisive and damaging to union organisation and is designed to create pressure on migrant workers not to organise or to take part in action.
2. That companies who operate outsourced services such as cleaning, wish to operate in a non union, low wage, environment and are using immigration checks as a weapon to drive down pay and conditions. If they succeed in lowering conditions for one part of the workforce—then all are damaged.
3. An injury to one is an injury to all. Workers of all countries of origin require unity to fight for secure jobs, decent wages and safe working conditions and immigration checks at work simply divide and weaken us.
4. Fascist groups like the BNP have grown on the back of a climate of fear about migration generated by politicians seeking to lay the blame for economic crisis at the door of working people from other countries.
5. That the students and staff of SOAS who launched immediate protests, including a student occupation, to win protection for their migrant workmates/students are to be congratulated for forcing their management to request the immediate issue of papers to the cleaners held in detention, the return of those detained and to acknowledge the lecturers UCU policy of non co-operation with immigration controls as well as agreeing to reconsider the outsourcing of cleaning contracts.
6. That immigration raids in the workplace risk the health and safety of our members by bringing the potential for violence into our workplace through the entry of riot style squads hunting down workers and also create stress for all staff who witness such raids or who have colleagues & friends detained in them.
7. Employers do not need to, and should not, facilitate such raids.
Call for Protests from Viva Palestina convoy
Acknowledgements to Martin Francis & Andy Collingwood
Subject: [information@vivapalestina.org] Viva Palestina are faced with 2,000 riot police in the port of Al-Arish !
To all friends of Palestine
Our situation is now at a crisis point! Riot has broken out in the port of Al- Arish .
This late afternoon we were negotiating with a senior official from Cairo who left negotiations some two hours ago and did not return. Our negotiations with the official was regarding taking our aid vehicles into Gaza .
He left two hours ago and did not come back. Egyptian authorities called over 2,000 riot police who then moved towards our camp at the port.
We have now blocked the entrance to the port and we are now faced with riot police and water cannons and are determined to defend our vehicles and aid.
The Egyptian authorities have by their stubbornness and hostility towards the convoy, brought us to a crisis point.
We are now calling upon all friends of palestine to mount protests in person where possible, but by any means available to Egyptian representatives, consulates and Embassy's and demand that the convoy are allowed a safe passage into Gaza tomorrow!
Kevin Ovenden, Viva Palestina Convoy Leader
From: "Alice Howard"
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 20:04:54 -0000
To:
Subject: [information@vivapalestina.org] Viva Palestina are faced with 2,000 riot police in the port of Al-Arish !
To all friends of Palestine
Our situation is now at a crisis point! Riot has broken out in the port of Al- Arish .
This late afternoon we were negotiating with a senior official from Cairo who left negotiations some two hours ago and did not return. Our negotiations with the official was regarding taking our aid vehicles into Gaza .
He left two hours ago and did not come back. Egyptian authorities called over 2,000 riot police who then moved towards our camp at the port.
We have now blocked the entrance to the port and we are now faced with riot police and water cannons and are determined to defend our vehicles and aid.
The Egyptian authorities have by their stubbornness and hostility towards the convoy, brought us to a crisis point.
We are now calling upon all friends of palestine to mount protests in person where possible, but by any means available to Egyptian representatives, consulates and Embassy's and demand that the convoy are allowed a safe passage into Gaza tomorrow!
Kevin Ovenden, Viva Palestina Convoy Leader
From: "Alice Howard"
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 20:04:54 -0000
To:
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Statement of Climate Justice Now! on the outcomes of COP15
Green Left Steering Comittee agreed to sign this staement at its meeting on 5/1/2010See GL Blog for full text.
Friday, 1 January 2010
Documentary Screening: Inside the Revolution: A Journey into the Heart of Venezuela: (Wednesday 20th January/Brighton)
Wednesday 20th January, 6.30pm-9pm
Film starts 7pm
Entry: £4/£3 concessions
The screening will be introduced by Derek Wall (Former Principal Male Speaker for the Green Party of England and Wales), who will also take part in a Q&A with the director after the screening.
VENUE DETAILS:
Friends’ Meeting House (meeting room)
Ship Street
Brighton
BN1 1AF
Facebook event page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=225747228498&index=1
Map:
http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=BN1+1AF&countryCode=GB#map=50.82247,-0.14145|16|4&bd=useful_information&loc=GB:50.82248:-0.14143:16|BN1%201AF|BN1%201AF
For further details on the documentary and to watch the trailer, please visit:
http://www.alborada.net/alboradafilms
Film starts 7pm
Entry: £4/£3 concessions
The screening will be introduced by Derek Wall (Former Principal Male Speaker for the Green Party of England and Wales), who will also take part in a Q&A with the director after the screening.
VENUE DETAILS:
Friends’ Meeting House (meeting room)
Ship Street
Brighton
BN1 1AF
Facebook event page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=225747228498&index=1
Map:
http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=BN1+1AF&countryCode=GB#map=50.82247,-0.14145|16|4&bd=useful_information&loc=GB:50.82248:-0.14143:16|BN1%201AF|BN1%201AF
For further details on the documentary and to watch the trailer, please visit:
http://www.alborada.net/alboradafilms
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)