Rally in support of Oaxaca

24/12/2007

People gathered in Melbourne's Federation Square on Saturday in a rally to show support for the people of Oaxaca, Mexico in their struggle to rid themselves of a corrupt local governor, Ulises Ruiz. The action was one of many around the globe in an international day of solidarity to express support and to draw attention to the extreme repression that is being experienced by the people of this region in their campaign, including murders, torture and disappearances. [Full Story...]

[International Actions | Call Out | NarcoNews]

Chileans remember Pinochet's Brutality

13/12/2006

Fifty people gathered in Federation Square to remember those executed, and the disappeared on the occasion of the death of the brutal military dictator, Augusto Pinochet. On the 11th September 1973 Augusto Pinochet led a CIA backed military coup against the democratically elected government of Chile headed by marxist President Salvador Allende.

Remember Chile | Memoria Viva | Santiago IMC

Pro-Democracy Riots in Tonga

26/11/2006

Pro-democracy movement leaders in Tonga say the system needs to change, according to a report (with photos) by indymedia activists. This comes after riots broke out in Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa, on November 16 resulting in 8 deaths and many businesses set ablaze. The riots occurred after a demonstration of 800 people marched on parliament with banners calling for immediate reform. Other banners attacked public figures, and another labeled the current structure a "deadly virus".

Australia and New Zealand have dispatched troops to Tonga to shore up the corrupt rule of the Tongan Monarchy. The Australian government has intervened as part of its pro-market agenda for its Pacific sphere of influence. Wellington protest. Auckland protest.

Aotearoa IMC | Tonga: Biggest Protest Ever! (May 05) | Tonga - schools smashed - 200 arrested! (Aug 05) | A Revolution in the Pacific? (Aug 05) | Tongan activist rams gate of King's Auckland Residency (July 06)

Rally in Solidarity with Oaxaca

9/11/2006

A group of around 70 people staged a noisy protest in Melbourne on Monday to show solidarity with the people of Oaxaca, Mexico who are currently experiencing murder, torture and disappearances at the hands of the Mexican government. Oaxaca has been the scene of a 5 month old campaign to remove a corrupt local governor, Ulises Ruiz, implicated in the murders of local activists and also Brad Will from NYC Indymedia. In the last week, the President of Mexico, Vincente Fox, has sent heavily armed police to the town to forcefully repress demonstrators. Heriberto Salas from The Other Campaign addressed the rally in Melbourne calling for protests against Vincente Fox when he arrives in Melbourne for the G20 governmental meeting. [Full Story]

Latest News: [Global Indymedia | Indybay IMC | Narco News]

[Zapatista Experience talk audio | Repression and Resistance | The Communications War in Oaxaca]

NYC Indymedia volunteer killed in Oaxaca

30/10/2006

An American Indymedia reporter has been shot and killed by pro-government forces whilst filming on a barricade in the midst of the uprising in Oaxaca, Mexico. Brad Will, 36, a documentary filmmaker and reporter for Indymedia in New York, Bolivia and Brazil, died of a gunshot to the chest when pro-government attackers opened fire on a barricade in the neighborhood of Santa Lucia El Camino, on the outskirts of Oaxaca, Mexico. He died with his video camera in his hands.

The city of Oaxaca has been in rebellion for months since striking teachers took over the streets. Since then the movement has grown into a demand that the Government and Governor of the state resign. The people have declared the city an autonomous zone run through the democratic assemblies of the APPO. Television and radio stations have been seized by the people and the streets are constantly barricaded against the threat of military and police attempts to retake the city. People continue to be shot and killed in drive by shootings by undercover police and other pro-government forces. [Full Coverage]

Current reports are that Mexican Federal Police are attacking the Oaxaca people's assembly see Global Indymedia or Mexico Indymedia (spanish) for up to the minute coverage

[Recent email from Brad | Melbourne Solidarity Action this Monday]

Singapore Bans NGO Delegates from IMF/World Bank Meeting

12/09/2006

"Civil society groups worldwide have reacted angrily to the Singaporean government’s ban on up to 20 delegates who plan to attend Bank/Fund annual meetings there next week." said a statement from Friends of the Earth International. NGOs have also condemned Singapore for applying pressure on the administration of neighbouring Batam, Indonesia, where a major civil society conference will be held. Following an international outcry, Indonesian officials confirmed the conference in Batam can go ahead. [Read More]

"Singapore is showing its dark side. One that does not respect civil rights, one that treats people like children," said Walden Bello, executive director of the Focus on the Global South, and one of the individuals banned by Singapore from attending along with his organisation, as Space for Dissent Narrows on Eve of Bank/IMF Meet.

Call for Global Actions Against IMF/World Bank | Activists to mount global protests versus IMF-WB

Target: WTO | Focus on the Global South | Jubilee South | Mobilization for Global Justice

New Zealand: Woolworths locks out Workers

10/09/2006

500 supermarket union members at Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch Distribution Centres supplying Countdown, Foodtown and Woolworths supermarkets have been locked out by their Australian-owned employer, Progressive Enterprises (owned by Woolworths Australia) until they agree to abandon their claim for a national collective agreement. The lockout follows the indefinite suspension of workers after commencing a 48 hour strike. Workers are claiming an 8% wage increase and allowance parity between the four distribution centres. [Full Story] [Photos | More Photos]

Woolworths Australia is the largest retailer in Australasia and recently announced a 24.3% increase in profits of $1.2 billion dollars (A$1.1 billion) and expects sales to increase by 8-12% next year. Australian distribution, meat processing and supermarket workers earn up to 35% more than their kiwi co-workers (who do the same job) despite food prices being generally cheaper in Australia.

Global feature: 500 Supermarket Supply Chain workers locked out across Aotearoa | Shelfrespect.org | Aotearoa IMC

Mexico on the Brink of Revolution?

05/09/2006

Massive protests against electoral fraud, an uprising in Oaxaca which has seen the city centre occupied, media outlets taken over and a campaign by the Zapitista's in Chiapas continues. Will the leftist tide and people power sweep all the way to the U.S. border? ....[Full Story]

People of Oaxaca Under Attack as Their TV Station is Destroyed
Standoff at the Zocalo | Mexico-Australia Solidarity
Mexico IMC | Chiapas IMC | Narconews | Chiapas95 Newslist

Indonesian Military Threatens Invasion of Papua Niugini

24/08/2006

Indonesian military are stepping up human rights abuses in the border region of West Papua and PNG. Nick Chesterfield, from Free West Papua, said: “The TNI's network of terror has now spread deep within Papua Niugini and has made its presence felt within isolated communities along the border, who are living in fear of an imminent invasion. We uncovered evidence that a massive ground offensive is in the final stages of planning, and there are questions that need to be answered publicly by many people in the region to prevent this from happening.” ...[Full Story]

The report by Free West Papua accuses "The TNI and POLRI's heavy handed tactics and brutality on uninvolved family members only serve to demonstrate to the outside world tendencies that may be viewed as constituting Genocidal Acts against Papuan people, with arrest and intimidation based only on race." (Full PDF Report)

Free West Papua | West Papua News | TAPOL

West Papuans Mark Indonesian Takeover

15/08/2006

West Papuans in Australia marked the handing over of West Papua to Indonesia 44 years ago on August 15, 1962 with a protest outside the Indonesian consulate. “Everything happening currently in West Papua is because of this event, because of the failure of the international community to give the people of West Papua meaningful self determination,” said Nick Chesterfield, a Free West Papua spokesperson.

This anniversary comes after campaigners celebrated the defeat of the shameful Border Bill which attempted to excise the Australian mainland from its immigration zone.

Background: Refugees in West Papua: Border Mission May/June 2006 | Free West Papua Campaign

Protests Against Israeli Aggression

28/07/2006

From www.indymedia.org:
Tens of thousands throughout the world took to the street on July 22nd, to protest against the ongoing Israeli war on Lebanon and Palestine. Israeli air forces have destroyed countless civilian buildings and means of transportation in operations that have killed more than 400 people, mostly civilians, and wrecked havoc on Lebanese cities, harbours, airports and other infrastructure, leading to the displacement of more than half a million people. The International Day of Action had been called by various anti-war and solidarity campaigns.

In Australia, thousands of people turned out at rallies in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, while a gathering in Perth was cancelled by the police.

Events: protest on 30 July and forum event on 2 August.

Global IMC feature | Beirut IMC | Cyprus IMC Electronic Intifada | Blogging the Middle East