NSW union forms anti-racism committee
SYDNEY — A recent rise in workplace racism has led Asian construction and furniture workers to form an anti-racism committee. Sixty members of the NSW Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union formed the committee in mid-September.
Korean-born CFMEU organiser Byung Jo Kang said that racism on site had seemed to worsen after Pauline Hanson came to prominence. CFMEU state secretary Andrew Ferguson remarked that, even though racist views were held only by a minority of building workers, the union was committed to ridding the workplace of racism.
Resistance branch in western Sydney
PARRAMATTA — On November 14, the socialist youth organisation Resistance will launch its 11th branch, based in Sydney's western suburbs. The launch will coincide with the national launch of the new Resistance magazine.
Resistance members have been working in the western suburbs for 10 months now, holding regular weekly meetings, organising high school students in the recent anti-racism walkouts and participating in events like NOWSA and Reclaim the Night.
The branch launch will take place at 2pm in the Parramatta Resistance Centre, located at Suite 3, Railway Arcade, Parramatta. Call Mel on 9635 8449 for more information.
Monash protest
MELBOURNE — Around 50 students protested outside Monash University's city offices on November 5 against the suspension of the "Arts 42". Students in T-shirts spelling out "Let Us Learn" formed a line in front of the entrance to the offices.
The "Arts 42" are Monash students who were summarily suspended for two months and fined $300 each last month for participating in an occupation against cuts to the arts faculty. Students from the group spoke of their determination to continue fighting the cuts.
The rally heard from Anna Barrett, NUS state education officer, and from an Electrical Trades Union organiser before marching to Bourke Street Mall.
Pinochet speak-out
BRISBANE — The Committee in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean is organising a speak-out on Friday, November 13, in the Queen Street Mall at 5.30pm. CISLAC demands that the Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet be tried for his crimes against humanity.
Broken Hill reclaims the night
BROKEN HILL — The biggest Reclaim the Night march for many years in this far-western NSW mining town was a great success.
About 200 people gathered in the square on October 30, then marched along the main street, past all the pubs, and returned to the square for an evening of speeches and a sausage sizzle. People travelled up 200 kilometres to attend.
Women and children from the Aboriginal community in Wilcannia participated as a contingent for the first time. The theme was "Reclaim the Night for all the community". Women, children and men attended.
Western Sydney RTN
KATOOMBA — On October 30, the first Reclaim the Night rally to be held here attracted about 120 women and children. The key demand was for safety on the streets and in the home.
The march and rally were organised by the local Women's Health Centre, Youth Centre and Women's Resource Centre, with a colourful banner painted by children at the women's refuge.
Speakers demanded freedom from sexual violence as a basic human right. They included Judy Burgess from the Community Legal Centre, who spoke of the lack of sexual assault services in Sydney's outer west.