All posts by Editor
Australia’s political leaders must find a backbone and stand up for Julian Assange
By Joe Montero
Even to the most cynical, it should have become plainly obvious now. Julian Assange is not in custody for criminal behaviour, unless you believe informing us of wrongdoing by individuals in high places should be regarded as criminal. Continue reading Australia’s political leaders must find a backbone and stand up for Julian Assange
Juan Guaido’s Washington backed Venezuela coup attempt failed
By Joe Montero
Yesterday’s [1 May] dramatic scenes in Venezuela ended up in a fizzle for self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido. Suffering from declining support and growing division within opposition forces, it seems like he and his backers in Washington had opted to take a big gamble. Continue reading Juan Guaido’s Washington backed Venezuela coup attempt failed
Coup attempt underway in Venezuela
This was written on 1 May, as the coup attempt was taking place.
As the presidential pretender Juan Guaido announces that he is in the “final phase” of his takeover, and claiming military support, a small group of soldiers has just tried to stage a takeover. There is no doubt that this is a United States backed coup, centred at La Carlota air force base, where Guaido has stationed himself. He has called on supports to join him there. Continue reading Coup attempt underway in Venezuela
The economy is struggling and the election campaign needs to start facing up to it
Greg Jericho (The Guardian 25 Apr 2019) makes some very good points in the following article. At the moment, the Australian economy is doing even worse than it has been in recent times. This is not only being ignored in the present election campaign. There is a pretence that it is going along nicely, and the budget surplus mantra has wrongly been put on centre stage. Government should be stimulating the economy. Not restricting it. Continue reading The economy is struggling and the election campaign needs to start facing up to it
France’s Yellow Vests still in the streets 6 months after movement begun
By Jim Hayes
France’s Yellow Vests movement continued its weekly presence on the streets on 27 April.
Tear gas was used by the police, who were trying to stop the marchers from reaching the centre of Paris. There was confrontation at Strasbourg near the border with Germany, after the marchers tried to get to the European Union headquarters. There was confrontation in Lyon as well. Continue reading France’s Yellow Vests still in the streets 6 months after movement begun
Video: Rebel Diaz comes to Australia
Rebel Diaz are in Australia. The hip hoppers from the Bronx in New York, have performed with Public Enemy and Rage Against the Machine, with their hard hitting rebel songs. They use using music as an organising tool, and to spread knowledge about injustice, political resistance and political activism.
In March 2009, Rebel Diaz opened the Rebel Diaz Arts Collective (RDAC) in an abandoned warehouse in the Bronx, to be a community arts center, includeding a performance space, a multimedia studio, computer lab, and art gallery. These provided a space for young people to learn and perform, host workshops.
On 28 February 2013, the RDAC was forcefully evicted from the building at gun point. This ocurred in the context of a battle between developers and the Bronx community.
Rebel Diaz have become targets of the New York Police Department; experiencing armed raids arrest and charged, although none could be made to stick.
Australians can now hear them live, at the venues shown in the video clip below. There are also a few examples of their music.
Chicago Teacher
Video from Rebel Diaz
Work Like Chavez
Video from Rebel Diaz
Which Side Are You On?
Video from Rebel Diaz
Call on government to terminate the Force Posture Agreement and stationing of US troops in Darwin
By the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN)
The largest contingent of US marines yet, 2,500, have started to arrive in Darwin. Continue reading Call on government to terminate the Force Posture Agreement and stationing of US troops in Darwin
May Day fundraiser for Venezuela
Come and hear what is going on, join in the conversation, listen to the music, eat and have a good time. The bar will be open. You can book online if you want at this link
Greece demands Germany pay up for the damage and suffering caused by the Nazi occupation
By Adam Carlton
Greece’s SYRIZA government led by Alexis Tsipras has moved to recover damages for the German Nazi occupation during the Second World War. This was adopted by a vote of the parliament and although no figure was given in the motion, it is understood to involve more than 300 billion Euros. Continue reading Greece demands Germany pay up for the damage and suffering caused by the Nazi occupation