Fight back discussed
SYDNEY — Around 100 people attended a forum titled "Defend our services, defend our unions" at the Transport Workers Club on August 10. The forum was organised by the Community Action Group.
Speakers included John Sutton, secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union construction division; Michael Raper, president of the Australian Council of Social Service; and Dr Con Costa, president of the Doctors Reform Society.
There was lively discussion on how to the union movement should respond to current attacks, which concluded with a consensus that "people power" was the key to success. Several people cautioned against relying on the Australian Democrats or the ALP to stop the Coalition's onslaught.
Appeal for East Timor
BYRON BAY — Byron Bay Friends of East Timor (BFET) has launched an emergency appeal for donations to purchase urgently needed medical supplies and food for East Timorese refugees, and to support human rights observers monitoring the August 30 referendum in East Timor. As part of the appeal, BFET screened John Pilger's film The Timor Conspiracy at the Great Northern Hotel on August 15.
Donations are tax deductible and can be deposited c/- the Friends of East Timor Appeal, Commonwealth Bank account 06267410060367 (food and medicines) or 06267410060375 (for human rights observers). BFET holds meetings each Sunday, 4pm, at the Great Northern Hotel. For more information, phone Russell Anderson on 6689 1658.
Kurds celebrate anniversary
SYDNEY — After more a century of oppression in Turkish-occupied Kurdistan, the Workers Party of Kurdistan launched an armed struggle for independence on August 15, 1984. With Kurdish political organisations, the Kurdish language and all peaceful means of protest banned, the only course of action left for Kurdish people was to take up arms.
The anniversary was marked in Blacktown in Sydney's western suburbs with a gathering of 500 Kurds and their supporters organised by the Australia Kurdish Association.