GLW issue 722, published 2007-08-29.

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Israel: Sudanese refugees deported

On August 20, Israel deported 50 Sudanese refugees who had entered the country from Egypt. The deportation went ahead despite 63 of the 120 members of the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) signing a petition calling on the Olmert government to allow them to remain in Israel until an alternative country could be found to take them in.

Promoting 'democracy' through civil disobedience

In GLW #718, Jack Duvall, the president of the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC), published a letter in response to a couple of “errors” Eva Gollinger made in her interview “US continues destabilisation push in Venezuela” in GLW #716. Duvall denied accusations that his group had been involved in training activist groups involved in the recent “color revolutions” in Eastern Europe, and in opposing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. However, Duvall does admit in his letter that in March 2005 the ICNC “gave support to the [Albert] Einstein Institute for a workshop it conducted on nonviolent action for Venezuelans, [which was] held in Boston”.

John Butler Trio calls for justice

John Butler Trio, on a new national tour, continues to sing and speak out for peace and justice. On August 10 at far-north Queensland’s Kuranda Amphitheatre, John Butler called for justice for Mulrunji Doomadgee, who was killed by a police officer in the watchhouse doorway on Palm Island. Butler donned one of the “Justice For Mulrunji” wristbands presented to the band by Green Left Weekly supporters.

No new ambulance fees!

The Socialist Alliance in Tasmania has launched a community petition calling for more public funding to the state’s ambulance services and opposing the introduction of fees. The petition also calls on the state government to expand the role of Patient Transport Services in providing non-urgent transport to the hospital, in order to reduce the demand on the ambulance system.
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