Peter Boyle
Last week we received an excellent $6263 boost to the Green Left Weekly Fighting Fund, bringing the total we have raised this year to $107,386 — 43% of our 2006 target of $250,000.
How did we do it?
Donations totalling $3835 came in mostly from supporters who have committed to a regular donation, or have made a pledge to the Fighting Fund, which they are paying off over the year. These are people who have become Friends of Green Left Weekly, and you can become one of them by writing to Green Left Weekly at PO Box 394, Broadway 2007, calling us on the toll-free line 1800 634 206 (calls from within Australia only) or online at <http://www.greenleft.org.au/fogl.htm>.
Fundraising last week netted $2367, mostly from a recent Green Left fiesta in Melbourne that celebrated the Cuban and Venezuelan revolutions.
Fiesta organiser Vannessa Hearman explained: "On July 29, Green Left Weekly supporters in Melbourne held a 'Viva Venezuela, Viva Cuba!' fiesta at the Brunswick Town Hall. More than 150 people attended, including members of the Turkish Workers' Party in Australia and the El Salvadoran Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN).
"Venezuela May Day brigade participant and Electrical Trade Union militant John Cleary reported on his experiences of visiting factories and workplaces that were being managed by the workers. He urged fiesta-goers to support Green Left Weekly as one of the few Australian news sources that covers Venezuela.
"Maree Dellora from the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society reflected on Cuba's battle to survive, having been attacked militarily and diplomatically since its socialist revolution in 1959.
"A representative from the FMLN spoke of the advent of new death squads in El Salvador and the challenges facing the progressive movement there. The Conch, an 11-piece band, performed to end the evening with dancing.
"The Green Left Weekly Fighting Fund has grown stronger by $2200 from the fiesta."
You can support our Fighting Fund by attending (better still, bringing along friends and family), helping publicise and/or helping organise such fundraising events, which you will find listed in the Activist Calendar on page 23.
Or why not organise a little fundraising event of your own? Some Green Left Weekly supporters in the suburb of Marrickville in Sydney have begun organising mini jumble sales in their front yard. They've raised several hundred dollars for the Fighting Fund this way, and intend to make this a regular event.
Perhaps you have an idea for a big or small fundraising event? Please write to us or give us a call if you do. With your help we are going to make our $250,000 target this year.