This site continues to attract a surprising amount of traffic, and it seems a pity to disappoint visitors when there is no compelling reason to stop posting. So what follows is a monster posting of events starting where we left off, the Climate Change rally of 13 June, and ending with a protest at the slaughter of seal cubs in Canada, a particularly striking protest organised by Peta on 13 November. (The events are actually posted in reverse order, which is how they would appear if posted as they happened.) All but one of these events was reported on Melbourne Indymedia at the time, and several are accompanied by video on either YouTube or EngageMedia.

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“Canada’s Shame” – Protest at Seal Pup Slaughter – 13 November 2009

If like me you thought that bludgeoning baby seals to death was something that ended years ago, then think again: this year over 60,000 harp seal pups were slaughtered, and the figure would have been five times larger if fear of a European Union ban on seal products had not led many fishermen to stay at home (source: http://www.harpseals.org/)

Local members of PETA (people for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – http://www.petaasiapacific.com/) staged an eye-catching protest today outside the Collins Street office of the Consulate of Canada. Quite possibly it went unremarked by the occupants, but it was a different matter with lunchtime passers-by.

If you have a strong stomach and would like to get some idea of why people are protesting, try this short video on YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMiUnqaVRtQ

From the group’s media release:

Five People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia members – covered head to toe in red and white paint – will form a giant Canadian flag with their bodies and hold a skimpy banner reading, “Stop the Bloody Seal Slaughter”, at the Consulate of Canada in Melbourne on Friday. The protest is the latest action in PETA’s campaign to focus the world’s attention on Canada’s shame during the run-up to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.
Sealers shoot these animals or bash their heads in, and baby seals are often skinned alive while their wailing mothers helplessly watch. This year, three-fourths of the nearly 300,000 harp seals expected to be killed were spared, in part because the price of seal fur has plummeted as the international outrage against the seal slaughter rises. The European Union and the US have banned seal products, and world leaders – including bear-hunting Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin – have spoken out against the massacre.
“The universally condemned harp seal slaughter is a bloody stain on Canada’s reputation”, says PETA Australia Director of Campaigns Jason Baker. “As the world turns its attention to Canada’s Games, millions will also focus on Canada’s shame.”

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“Beds are Burning” – Protest against Peter Garrett – 12 November 2009

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts was in town to deliver a speech on energy saving, but environmentalists staged a welcome designed to remind him of speeches he delivered before he joined the ALP, in the days when he vigourously and vocally opposed policies he now defends …

It was really not very polite of Mr Garrett to arrive late and scurry out again when nearly everyone had left, because people had gone to a lot of trouble to put on a fitting reception – even to the extent of a genuine burning bed – which the attendant police were not very pleased about – and music that would have brought back memories…

There were brief speeches from Jim Green and Jacob Grech, representing FoE and the peace movement respectively, and one person took advantage of the open mic to put forward the claim that Garrett has all along been playing a double game, infiltrating the ALP purely so as to gather evidence of their dirty tricks, which he would then reveal while at the same time publicly resigning …

The FoE website carries most of the text of a leaflet handed out to passers-by – http://www.melbourne.foe.org.au/?q=node/627 – but without the header: “Dear Mr Garrett ..

All we want for Christmas is for you to show some integrity and to put Aboriginal rights, environmental sustainability and peace ahead of your own political ambitions. That’s all.

Thanks! Friends of the Earth”

Video – see http://www.engagemedia.org/Members/pc/videos/garrett-12nov09.mp4/view

More photos:

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ASU rally – Equal Work, Equal Pay – 10 November 2009

This protest was reported on the website of the ASU – http://www.asuvic.asn.au/790048.html (though the estimate of numbers may have been a little generous), with links to both video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcuG0Igtzdo) and photos on flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/asu-national/sets/72157622772970436/).

Here is the callout, followed by a few photos taken by MelbourneProtests:
All ASU members are called to participate in a Day of Action on *November 10*, assembling at Parliament Gardens at 11am, to protest against the complete failure of the Brumby Government to increase our wages and to demand equal pay with Queensland SACS workers and public sector workers doing the SAME work.

To date, the Victorian budget delivered a pathetic 3.14 per cent increase to community sector indexation that is not guaranteed for wage increases for workers. At the same time, the Government is funding pay increases for their own employees, which again INCREASES the pay gap between public and community sector wages. At the same time the Queensland Government moved to fund pay increases of 18 to 36 per cent for QLD SACS workers. Here’s what the Queensland Treasurer had to say:

“We are also providing resources to some of our hardest working, and most important Queenslanders. Community sector workers who care and support some of our most vulnerable Queenslanders, the frail elderly, the disabled and the unwell, have recently had the value of their work recognised by the independent Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. The single biggest allocation of additional resources in this Budget—some $414 million across four years—is provided to support the community sector to continue their essential work.”

At the same time, the Victorian government has done NOTHING to address our demands for equal pay – instead they have sent our pay BACKWARDS!

We have researched, lobbied and written submissions. An independent Commission has agreed with us, Government reports agree with us, our employers agree with us – our work is seriously undervalued! The time for report writing and polite lobbying is over – we demand IMMEDIATE ACTION from the Victorian Government. We demand Equal Pay for our work so our sector is sustainable into the future and our clients and communities receive the support they deserve from a properly funded and resourced community sector.

http://www.asuvic.asn.au/655404.html

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Protest at BHP Billiton Melbourne office – 29 October 2009

Protesters gathered today at the Melbourne head office of BHP Billiton “in solidarity with communities around the world affected by BHP’s mining activities, and to show dissent to the proposed expansion and proposed open pit at Olympic Dam uranium mine” (FoE Media release).

The rally also marked the release in London of an ‘Alternative Annual Report’:

[From FoE media release]
Melbourne-based Friends of the Earth campaigner Mia Pepper, who contributed to the international report, said: “The Alternative Annual Report documents a number of recurring problems with BHP’s operations around the world – human rights and labour abuses, relocation of communities, mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples, destruction of sacred sites, adverse impacts on food and water, climate change, use of paramilitaries, health concerns, and irresponsible tailings disposal. These problems are evident in Australia, West Papua, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Africa, Canada, Colombia and Chile.”
[...]

Friends of the Earth’s national nuclear campaigner Dr Jim Green said: “For all of BHP Billiton’s hollow rhetoric about corporate social responsibility, the company operates the Olympic Dam mine in SA under an outdated Indenture Act which exempts the mine from key environmental and Aboriginal heritage laws.

“BHP Billiton has provided over $2 million to Reconciliation Australia. Yet the company will not relinquish its exemptions from the SA Aboriginal Heritage Act. The company’s attitude appears to be ‘do as I say not as I do’. It’s time for this hypocrisy to end.”

…..

Speakers at the rally were Dave Sweeney, Nuclear Free Campainer with the Australian Conservation Foundation, and Duban Velez, a union delegate for workers at the Cerrejon coal mine in Colombia, who spoke in Spanish with an interpreter. (More information: .)

The rally was rounded off by activist rappers Kasey and Izzy.

Video – http://www.engagemedia.org/Members/pc/videos/bhp-29oct09.mp4/view

The ‘Alternative Annual Report’ can be found at http://tinyurl.com/yjjluqg

See also http://www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear and http://www.melbourne.foe.org.au/?q=node/618

The original posting on Melbourne Indymedia also includes MP3s of the speeches – http://indymedia.org.au/2009/10/29/protest-at-bhp-billiton-melbourne-office-to-mark-agm-09-in-london-29-october

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Friends of the Earth Anti-Nuclear Community BBQ at Batman Park – 24 October 2009

Alongside the 350.org actions yesterday, FoE’s Anti-Nuclear and Clean Energy (ACE) campaign held a
community bbq in Batman Park, in the centre of the electorate of pro-nuclear and pro-coal Federal Energy Minister Martin “He might be from Batman, but he ain’t no superhero!” Ferguson …

Billed as an opportunity for informal discussion, info exchange, with face painting, music, food and games, it was a relaxed and enjoyable occasion, with music from Madeline and Kasey via a solar-powered sound system courtesy of Izzy, lots of food, an appearance by Ziggy the nuclear white elephant, and much more. Jim Green, FoE spokesperson on nuclear matters, gave a brief run-down on how matters stand and Alex Bhathal, who is contesting the seat of Batman at the next Federal election, explained the importance of blocking the Labor Government’s CPRS bill – even suggesting people should try sending the Coalition “negative energy” over the next few weeks to prevent a Labor/Coalition deal.

(See also http://www.theage.com.au/national/changes-lock-in-polluter-paradise-2009….)

The accompanying video on EngageMedia (http://www.engagemedia.org/Members/pc/videos/ace-24oct09.avi/view) includes part of what Jim had to say about, amongst other things, the expected imminent decision on a nuclear waste-dump in the Northern Territory, and there is a rough and ready mp3 attached to the versin of this post on Melbourne Indymedia: http://indymedia.org.au/2009/10/25/friends-of-the-earth-anti-nuclear-community-bbq-at-batman-park-24-october.

Because it came up in conversation on the day, here is what Brewer has to say on the subject of “white elephants”:

“A white elephant. Some possession the expense or responsibility of which is not worth while; a burdensome possession. The allusion is to the story of a king of Siam who used to make a present of a white elephant to courtiers he wished to ruin.”

As the photo above shows, Ziggy had some difficulty getting off the ground…

For more on the campaign against a nuclear waste dump on Aboriginal land in the NT see http://www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/oz/nontdump and accompanying links.

The ACE website is at http://www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear

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No to brown coal exports – Environmental groups protest at Parliament House – 22 October 2009

Environmental groups staged a snap protest at Parliament House today, Thursday October 22, in response to moves by Energy Minister Peter Batchelor to compound the disastrous impact of Victoria’s brown coal industry by exporting millions of tonnes of the stuff to India and other developing nations …

An opinion piece in the Age by Mark Wakeham,campaigns director with Environment Victoria, gives the backgound:

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/exporting-brown-coal-puts-doll…

In spite of the awkward time and short notice around 200 people of all ages joined the protest. Taegen Edwards of Yarra Climate Action Now was MC, introducing speakers including Mark Wakeham of Environment Victoria, Barrie Pittock, who led the Climate Impact Group in CSIRO until his retirement in 1999, Lou Morris, coal campaigner at Friends of the Earth – and Greg, who explained how he took the initiative of placing Victoria’s brown coal reserves, all 13 billion tonnes of it, on ebay …

Video extracts from the protest on EngageMedia – http://www.engagemedia.org/Members/pc/videos/220ct09-brown-coal.mp4/view

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This Saturday, 24 October, there will be events across Victoria as part of the 350.org International Day of Climate Action – see notice on this site http://indymedia.org.au/2009/10/18/350org-international-day-of-action
and the website http://www.350.org/ – Melbourne events are listed here: http://www.350.org/action-list?country=au&city=Melbourne

Friends of the Earth will be holding a community bbq on the same day, at Batman Park – details http://indymedia.org.au/community-bbq-in-batman – as part of its anti-nuclear and clean energy campaign (Federal Energy Minister Martin Ferguson, a determined advocate for the coal and nuclear lobbies, is member for the electorate of Batman).

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US out of Latin America – Protest at US Consulate, Melbourne, 11 September 2009

While the US flag flew at half-mast in memory of the victims of 11 September 2001, representatives and supporters of the Latin-American communities in Melbourne held a small rally to remember the victims of the US-inspired coup in Chile on the same day in 1973, and to demand an end to US interference in the affairs of Latin America.

The numbers were small, possibly reflecting the fact that someone had apparently seen fit to spread disinformation to the effect that anyone attending the rally would be arrested, but as Lucho from LASNET, the organisers of the rally, put it, the important thing was to show that the past had not been forgotten, even here on the other side of the world, and that protests would continue regardless.

There was no formal agenda, but a succession of speakers recalled the history of US interventions in their southern neighbours, a region which one said the US regarded as its backyard, which it felt entitled to control. This was accompanied by a forecast that the current withdrawal from Iraq and eventual withdrawal from Afghanistan would leave the military complex looking for ‘somewhere to go’, hence the push for bases in Colombia, one of the main themes of the rally. There was a reminder of the part played by Australia in the Chile coup, through the communications facility at Pine Gap used by US forces at the time of the Pinochet coup, and commentary on the situation in Honduras. Much of the proceedings was in Spanish, as was only right, though doubtful how much would have penetrated to those inside.

There was a minute’s silence for victims, in Chile and elsewhere, and proceedings were punctuated by chants of “Out, out, US out!”, “Gringos go home!” …

When protesters arrived they found four AFP cars lined up waiting. Perhaps they also had been fed some mis-information?

A film and discussion night originally scheduled for the evening at Trades Hall has been postponed to Thursday, 24 September, at 6:30 for 7:00pm.

From the LASNET media release:
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We call to denounce the systematically violation of people’s and indigenous rights in Colombia from the Uribista government and the capitalist partners that accompanies it…

We call to intensify our solidarity and support to the political-social movements and indigenous organisations that fights for their rights… We ask ourselves, who are the real terrorist?

No to the militarisation in Latin America!
United States out of Colombia and Latin America!
No to Micheletti’s dictatorship in Honduras!

For our memory…our tribute to all those that fought against the Pinochet’s dictatorship imposed on September 11 in 1973 with U.S. backup and support, country that not stop its violence against our people.
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See further:

http://www.latinamericansoldaritynetwork.org/

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news

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Unionists rally for Safe Sites and Pay Equity – 1 September 2009

Two campaigns coincided in the rally held on Tuesday in Lygon Street outside Trades Hall – opposition to legislative changes threatening to water down work safety laws in Victoria, and demands for pay equity for women. As VTHC President Kevin Bracken put it at the start of proceedings, “Today is Equal Pay Day, and the reason it’s being held today is because on average women have to work 62 days more than men, so 62 days from the start of the financial year is the first of September, that’s today, and the women have had a breakfast [here at Trades Hall] and they’re wearing red, and they’re going to be leading this march, so everyone’s got to keep behind them.” (Loud cheers)

Speakers at the initial rally included Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary, who later was part of a delegation that delivered a a protest letter to the Premier’s representative at Parliament House; Marg Pekin, AEU health and safety officer, who stressed the importance of the role of OHS reps especially in supporting younger workers in the education field, and above all those on contracts. (There is a report including part of her speech on the AEU website – http://www.aeuvic.asn.au/news/1251784116_11751.html) Bronwen Halfpenny, Campaign Officer at Trades Hall, gave a brief reminder of the 17% pay gap between men and women and repeated the call for women to move to the head of the march, which then made its way through the CBD to chants of “What do we want – Safe Sites”, “Health and Safety Laws – Not Good Enough” and more.

At Parliament House the rally was addressed by ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence, Martin Kingham of the CFMEU, Ingrid Stitt, Affirmative Action Vice-President at VTHC, and Maitea Medina, widow of Tony Medina, who died last year of mesothelioma at the age of 42. To reinforce the sombre message, rows of shoes were placed on the steps of Parliament House to represent workers killed on the job, and a minute’s silence was observed.

Finally, as already mentioned, a delegation delivered a letter of protest to the Sergeant at Arms, representing the Premier.

The accompanying photos roughly follow the timeline of the rally and march, and hopefully the captions are self-explanatory. One that might not be clear, however – as the march set off down Russell Street a school party visiting the old Melbourne Gaol lined up across the street and cheered.

There are some audio clips with the posting on Melbourne Indymedia: http://indymedia.org.au/2009/09/04/unionists-rally-for-safe-sites-and-pay-equity-1-september-09

More links:

Huge Melbourne Union Rally Demands “Best Practice” National OHS Laws – http://www.vthc.org.au/resources/cover-story-archives/huge-melbourne-union-rally-demands-best-practice-national-ohs-laws-1st-september-2009/index.cfm

Unions rally to protect workplace safety laws – http://www.aeuvic.asn.au/news/1251784116_11751.html

http://www.asuvic.asn.au/164.html

Weaker OHS laws – Victoria says NO! – http://www.cfmeuvic.com.au/index.cfm?section=46&Category=64&viewmode=content&ContentID=198

“Wear red” and “OHS National Model Laws – Not Good Enough!” – background to the equal pay and work safety issues on http://www.iww.org.au/node/1058

Equal Pay Day 2009 – http://www.equalpayday.com.au/

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Rally at Fertility Control Clinic, East Melbourne, 22 August 2009

The monthly “Clinic defence” by pro-choice activists at the East Melbourne Fertility Control Clinic in Wellington Parade has taken on a new urgency following recent events in Queensland and the threat of challenges from the Catholic Church to the decriminalisation of abortion in Victoria. The Campaign for Women’s Reproductive Rights, which has co-ordinated the monthly actions, called for a rally at the clinic on Saturday 22 August to show solidarity with campaigners in Queensland and especially the young couple facing lengthy imprisonment for the “illegal” use of RU486 – their committal hearing is due to start on 3 September and will be marked by ongoing protests there, led by the Pro-Choice Action Collective (Queensland) – http://www.prochoiceactionqld.org/

Extracts from speeches at the rally have been posted on EngageMedia – http://www.engagemedia.org/Members/pc/videos/clinic-22aug09_transcoded.m…. A confrontation at the clinic on 26 April 2008 was reported at the time on Sydney Indymedia – http://sydney.indymedia.org.au/video/confrontation-east-melbourne-fertility-clinic-26-april – including video footage. Since this footage is no longer accessible on that site it has been reposted on Melbourne Indymedia, along with a fact sheet issued by CWRR: http://indymedia.org.au/2009/08/24/rally-at-fertility-control-clinic-east-melbourne-22-august-2009

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Support for people of Honduras – 15 August 2009

While the repression following the coup d’etat continues in Honduras so too do the protests, both there and around the world: last Tuesday was a global day of action called by Via Campesina Honduras (http://www.viacampesina.org), and in Melbourne LASNET held a meeting that evening at Friends of the Earth in Collingwood, followed by a rally at Federation Square on Saturday August 15. Here leaflets were distributed with details of an overnight attack on the offices of Via Campesina (http://www.viacampesina.org/main_en/index.php?option=com_content&task=vi…) and there was footage on dvd showing the military attacking people in the streets, threatening reporters, and much more – the footage was taken from TelesurTV, which has a section devoted to coverage of the coup: http://www.telesurtv.net/noticias/afondo/especiales/Golpe_de_estado_hond… People were urged to spread the word of what is happening in Honduras, and also to call on the Australian government to take a stand. Friends of the Earth in Honduras is reported to have been targeted for allegedly spreading misinformation, ie the truth about the repression, and FoE Australia has issued a statement condemning the coup: http://www.foe.org.au/news/2009/foe-statement-on-honduras (see also http://www.movimientomadretierra.org/).

More rallies will be held and hopefully the numbers will grow; there are also plans for a protest at the US Consulate on 11 Sept, basically on the theme “US out of Latin America”, with the focus originally on Colombia but now extended to Honduras and beyond (September 11 is of course the anniversary of the 1973 US-backed military coup in Chile …)

See http://www.latinlasnet.org/node/298 for more on this event, and the original post on Melbourne Indymedia: http://indymedia.org.au/2009/08/16/support-for-people-of-honduras-15-august

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Hiroshima Day Rally and March – 8 August 2009

Attendance at the rally was small, which was a pity not only because for once the weather was perfect but also because the speakers were exceptional: MC was Jacob Grech (http://www.ozpeace.net/)
introducing Felicity Hill of WILPF (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom – http://www.wilpf.org.au/), Dave Sweeney (Australian Conservation Foundation – http://www.acfonline.org.au/default.asp), and visiting US scientist Steven Starr (http://www.nucleardarkness.org/ – see also Physicians for Social Responsibility – http://www.psr.org/) who described the catastrophic global climatic implications of a nuclear war, even on a relatively “small” scale as for example between India and Pakistan. Japanese for Peace were represented at the rally and also organised the concert which followed – http://www.jfp.org.au/index_eng.html.

After the speeches there was a short march, down to the Bourke Street Mall, where a large red cross was placed across the tram tracks to mark a symbolic target, and there was a silence to remember the victims.

Last Thursday, the 6th of August, there was a candlelight vigil on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the actual anniversary of the dropping of the first atomic bomb. Peter Garrett, Federal Environment Minister, recently announced a new uranium mine in South Australia to be operated by Heathgate Resources, a subsidiary of General Atomics, a major US arms company …
And throughout the rally the logo of the world’s biggest mining company, BHP, loomed in the sky in the background:

More links:

http://www.mapw.org.au/

http://www.icanw.org/
http://www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=88015054842

Some photos from the rally and march, pretty much self-explanatory:

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Support for People of Honduras – 1 August 2009

Following the recent ousting of the democratically elected president and the subsequent repression of dissent, Indigenous and grassroots organisations in Honduras have appealed for international solidarity – see Honduras Resiste http://hondurasresists.blogspot.com/2009/07/report-of-repression-in-tegucigalpa.html. In answer to this call, LASNET – the Latin America Solidarity Network http://www.latinlasnet.org – held a rally at Federation Square in Melbourne on Saturday 1 August. It was small, but was attended by representatives of several Latin American countries, and speakers also included Robbie Thorpe, expressing the support of Indigenous Australians, and Waratah Rose Gillespie, human rights lawyer and “human shield” in Iraq. There is video footage of the rally on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFUu87RrL5Y

See also: http://www.viacampesina.org

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PETA protests at whipping of horses – 1 August 2009

Coming out of ACMI at Federation Square on my way to a rally in support of the people of Honduras – report coming soon – my eye was caught by an unexpected sight across the way in front of the Australian Racing Museum – which was otherwise advertising the celebration on Sunday 2 August of the traditional “horses’ birthday”:

There is a short video of the protest on EngageMedia – http://www.engagemedia.org/Members/pc/videos/peta-1aug09.mpg/view – also available on YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvZPOxk9Klw

Vinyl-clad “dominatrices” with whips and signs reading “Some People like Whips, Horses Don’t” picketed the Australian Racing Museum at Federation Square this morning in a protest timed to coincide with the introduction of new horse-whipping rules on 1 August. These rules will ‘allow the use of “padded” whips and permit jockeys to whip horses five times before the final stretch, after which horses can be whipped an additional three times…’ – From a PETA news release.

‘Why does horseracing have PETA’s lovely dominatraces whipped into a frenzy? During races, horses are painfully whipped as they run frantically in front of hundred of screaming “punters”. Because horses begin training and racing when their skeletal systems are still developing, many sustain serious muscle and joint injuries, fractures, internal bleeding, musculoskeletal trauma and ruptured ligaments. Whipping horses can force them to run faster and exacerbate existing injuries, leading to catastrophic breakdowns.

‘By age three – when they are still physically immature – most horses have seen their last race. When horses become injured or suffer from chronic diseases, many are sent to slaughter. An undercover investigation at a slaughterhouse in Melbourne revealed that weak, emaciated horses were shot in the head with a rifle – often in full view of other horses.

‘”It’s one thing for consenting adults to use whips in the privacy of their own homes”, says “dominatrix” Anita Frank. “But beating horses into running faster is nothing short of animal abuse.”‘

For details of the new rules see:

http://www.australianracingboard.com.au/press/whiprules.pdf

‘From the 1st August 2009 only padded whips are to be used in races and
official trials.’

‘The best scientific advice available to us says that padded whips do not inflict pain or
injury, and that is the outcome we want.’

Also visit: http://www.petaasiapacific.com

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Another G20 Trial – Sydney Activists face County Court in Melbourne – 13 July 2009

The trial of two Sydney activists began in the Melbourne County Court today. Tim and Sunil are facing two counts each of aggravated burglary, which can carry a 25-year jail term, for allegedly walking into offices on ‘Corporate Engagement Day’ two and a half years ago with nothing more than glitter and water pistols. They each also face two counts of criminal damage and and unlawful assembly for the same incidents, which were part of protests against the G20 meeting in Melbourne in November 2006. They are fighting extremely serious charges for what was a benign and fairly standard action.

[Updates on the course of the trial were posted day by day as comments on Melbourne Indymedia:http://indymedia.org.au/2009/07/13/another-g20-trial-sydney-activists-face-county-court-in-melbourne%5D
See also: http://www.afterg20.org/

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G20 trial begins – solidarity at the County Court, Melbourne – 30 June 2009

The trial was due to begin in Melbourne today of one of the activists arrested after the G20 protests in November 2006. Sina Brown-Davis is charged with riot, affray and criminal damage. Sina is currently working to galvanise opposition to PACER, the extension of the Australia/NZ ‘Closer Economic Relationship” to include the Pacific Islands, and some of those taking part in a show of solidarity outside the County Court this morning held placards reflecting this campaign.

[Reports of proceedings day by day were posted to Melbourne Indymedia:http://indymedia.org.au/2009/06/30/g20-trial-begins-solidarity-at-the-county-court-melbourne%5D

See also:

http://indymedia.org.nz/event/77327/solidarity-g20-arrestees-stop-neo-libera

http://abcwellington.org.nz/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=46&Itemid=39

http://www.3news.co.nz/News/NZer-on-trial-in-Australia-over-G-20-protest/tabid/417/articleID/110518/cat/61/Default.aspx

http://uriohau.blogspot.com/

http://www.afterg20.org/

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Rally on second anniversary of Northern Territory intervention – Melbourne 20 June 2009

Rallies were held across Australia on Saturday 20 June to mark the 2nd anniversary of the NT Intervention. Around 200 attended a rally at the State Library in Melbourne, and a large proportion then marched or otherwise made their way to Trades Hall for further discussions and planning. Music played a big part in the rally, with contributions from Indigenous hip hop artists including Tjimba and Little G., as well as Jake Hapeta, who was joined by MC Stan Dryden, Shiralee Hood, and Tjimba in a rendering of ‘Australia’s new national anthem’, and Ezekiel Ox, representing Musicians against Police Violence. Speakers included Robbie Thorpe, Sina Brown-Davis (one of the G20 arrestees due to face trial next week), Frederick (a West Papuan refugee), Gary Murray, Aletha Penrith from Redfern, David Thomason-Koolmatrie and Lisa Koolmatrie (relatives of Mr Ward, who died, as is well-known, in custody in WA), veteran Indigenous activist Gary Foley, and Valerie Martin from Yuendumu NT.

[Footage from the rally has been posted on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-wK_kpDqEI, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zbXv2vfaAk, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aSEA-taJZc and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA7w8MSQyCc. Gary Foley's speech was also posted, but subsequently withdrawn at his request.]

Attached are a few photos from the rally, and one of the march. (Because of the way State Library grounds are laid out, speakers found themselves beside the statue honouring the memory of Redmond Barry, the judge who hanged Ned Kelly and presided over the trials of many of the Eureka rebels. Another nice touch was that the march naturally led past the Old Melbourne Gaol …)
See also:

http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/

http://stoptheintervention.org/

http://www.paybackrecords.com.au/

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