AWSM stall in Wellington this Sunday!
The Wellington branch of AWSM will have a stall at the Big Radical Left Fair this Sunday 17th July. We’ll have copies of the latest issue (and back issues) of our newssheet Solidarity, along with leaflets and pamphlets on a variety of topics. Come say hi, have a chat with us, learn more about AWSM and the ideas of anarchist-communism and pick up some printed excitement.
Where: Crossways Community Centre, 6 Roxburgh St, Mt Victoria. Off Majoribanks St (near The Embassy theatre)
When: 2:30 - 6:30pm, Sunday 17th July
Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170030463059797
Solidarity #16 - July 2011
Download issue in .pdf format (0.5MB)
The 16th issue of Solidarity, free newssheet of the Aotearoa Workers Solidarity Movement. Download the .pdf above, or click below to read the contents online.
Wellington: Film screening, Wildcat + discussion, July 7th
WHERE: Wellington People’s Centre, 2 Lukes Lane, off Manners St (View Map)
WHEN: 7pm, Thursday July 7th
WHAT: Screening of Wildcat (1981, view trailer here), 71 mins. With a short talk beforehand from one of the films directors, plus discussion after.
Free, with tea/coffee/biscuits provided. Organised by the Greater Wellington Branch of the Aotearoa Workers Solidarity Movement.
Discontent amongst timberworkers over the running of their union had been simmering for years. Members accused the national executive of exerting dictatorial control and of making deals with management, which left timberworkers with some of the lowest wages and worst conditions in the country. In 1977 this anger erupted in the growth of a remarkable rank-and-file movement aiming to oust the incumbent leadership and bring democracy to the union. Workers from six major sites in the Bay of Plenty-Waikato region banded together to form the Combined Council of Delegates and began a series of actions climaxing in a full-scale strike, which brought the timber industry to a standstill. Wildcat is the story of this struggle and its bitter aftermath told by the workers themselves – bushmen from Kaingaroa, millhands form Kawerau and Waipa, stacker drivers from Kinleith. Maori, Pakeha, novices and old-time union battlers.
“Wildcat is something of a landmark in New Zealand film-making… Throughout the saga and this film epic proportions are reached at all times, the intelligence, the wit, and the articulation of this group of predominantly Polynesian workers makes one wonder… There are even moments of genuine lyricism, for example, when the strikers gather food for themselves and their families, when one can suddenly imagine oneself in the midst of revolution.”
- Paul Maunder, Sequence (Wellington Film Society)
A tale of two protests: Don’t Cut Our Future and Queer The Night
In recent weeks Wellington has seen two sizeable protests. The first was held at Parliament on May 19th against the 2011 budget, while the second, on June 9th, marched from Waitangi Park to Cuba Mall to demand an end to queerphobia and transphobia.
Up to 1400 people gathered on Parliament lawn for the Don’t Cut Our Future rally, held on the afternoon that saw the launch of the budget by the National Government. The rally, organised by trade unions, was called to protest the cuts currently being imposed on workers and beneficiaries.
The crowd was mostly made up of union officials and members, despite being billed as a “community and union rally”. While the turnout was bigger than many expected, it still mostly failed to include the 80% of workers not in unions, beneficiaries and community groups who are also under attack. Union members were encouraged to attend during their lunch break, but it seems most chose instead to spend their only precious free time during the day elsewhere.
Christchurch: Introduction to Anarchist-Communism - talk and discussion, July 6th
Beyond Resistance’s monthly anarchist nights are back!
July’s discussion night will feature a guest speaker and discussion. Asher from the Aotearoa Workers Solidarity Movement will be giving his talk: Introduction to Anarchist Communism, to be followed by questions and discussion. All welcome!
WHERE: WEA (59 Gloucester St, opposite the City Art Gallery).
WHEN: Wednesday July 6, 7PM
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=160864693978573
Zines, refreshments and good conversation will be available on the night. Free entry. Child-friendly space.
