GLW issue 819, published 2009-11-25.

Foro Social Latinoamericano: Spanish-language supplement

Green Left Weekly is delighted to publish the first edition of Latin America Social Forum (Foro Social Latinamericano), a Spanish-language supplement to be produced regularly by the Latin America Social Forum in Sydney. It can be read online, with a longer introduction about hte publication in English, here.

Burma: Karen people face starvation and uncertainty

“There’s no village”, 75-year-old Sam Telly said. “I’m from a hiding place.”

Indigenous leaders to speak at national conference

The Socialist Alliance’s seventh National Conference will take place over January 2-5.

Australian News

Safe GM crops a fairytale

On November 18, 200 people rallied outside the Western Australian parliament to protest against the introduction of genetically modified crops. The state government will decide next year whether to permanently lift the ban on GM crops.

Rudd's renewable policy not working

Portland-based Keppel Prince Engineering, which makes about 40% of Australia’s wind turbine towers, has indicated it may need to lay off 150 staff because of lack of work.

Further Australian News

International News

Twenty years on: one wall falls, others rise

November 9, the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Berlin wall, was the occasion for self-congratulation by supporters of the capitalist system. They talked of the wall’s fall as heralding a new era of freedom.

United States: Military commissions continue under new act

The administration of US President Barack Obama has announced it will bring five Guantanamo Bay detainees to the US for prosecution in federal courts.

Further International News

Comment and Analysis

Socialist campaign brings change to Fremantle

Justine Kamprad is a co-convenor of the Fremantle Socialist Alliance, and was the campaign director for the October 17 Fremantle City Council elections, in which socialist Sam Wainwright was elected with 33.44% of the vote.

'Freddo Frog' charge reveals police racism

Were it not so outrageous, it could almost be funny. A 12-year-old Aboriginal boy was brought before a Western Australian court on a charge of receiving stolen goods. He had accepted a chocolate Freddo Frog worth 70 cents from a friend who had allegedly stolen it.

Further Comment and Analysis

Editorial

A new Spanish-language supplement

For environmentalists, Indigenous rights activists, feminists, socialists and all progressive people, Latin America is a source of hope and inspiration today. The people of Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, Ecuador and El Salvador, among others, are showing that radical social change is possible and a better, more just society can be imagined and built.

Letters

Write on: letters to the editor

Freddo Frog charge A 12-year-old Aboriginal boy in living in Northam in regional Western Australia was charged with stealing a Freddo Frog chocolate. He was told he would face court over this matter. The worse part of this story is that he did

General

Guilty of shopping while black

Most people reading or hearing the news story last week about the 12-year-old Aboriginal boy who was taken to court in Western Australia (WA) and charged with receiving stolen goods — a 70 cent chocolate Freddo — would have thought this was a sick joke.

We kid you not

United States: UN investigator slams 'shameful neglect' of homeless "A United Nations special investigator who was blocked from visiting the US by the Bush administration has accused the American government of pouring billions of dollars into

Further General

Foro Social Latinoamericano:...

Resistance!

Resistance welcomes refugees

The following article is from the soon-to-be published, updated What Resistance Stands For. Resistance branches around the country will be launching this exciting new document, and selling it at Walk Against Warming rallies on December 12.

Legalise the 'art of the underclass'

As reported in Green Left Weekly previously, the ALP New South Wales government has tabled new anti-graffiti laws. The proposed law will punish children caught with spray-paint cans without a “legitimate reason” with up to six months jail.

Cultural Dissent

Lucky for some

I'm Sorry Mr. Okoye — and Mr. Nguyen too For the abuse you suffered at the hands Of those who should have better things to do; There are evils done under the cover of night Or in distance and desert, hid from our sight You know we mistreat

On the box

Becoming Muhammad Ali — The story of Cassius Clay, a charismatic black boxer from Kentucky, who defied the personal and political restraints of his time, to emerge a global hero. SBS2, Sunday, November 29, 11am. Living Black — Australia's only

Further Cultural Dissent

FEATURED CONTENT

Billionaire Rinehart's bid for media control

Above: GetUp! released video showing professional climate change denier "Lord" Christopher Monkton advising a room full of mining executives on how the industry must gain control of Australia's media. This week mining billionaire Gina Rinehart became the largest shareholder in the Fairfax media conglomerate, having already bought a stake in Channel Ten.