GLW celebrates
BRISBANE — More than 100 people attended the Green Left Weekly 500th issue celebration dinner at the Ukranian Hall on July 20, which raised $1500 to help GLW keep producing.
Congratulations to GLW were given by: Sam Watson, prominent Murri activist; Hashem Kleibo, Palestinian community leader; Alfonso Corte-Real from the East Timorese community; Mark Gillespie from the International Socialist Organisation; Lynda Hansen from the Committees In Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean; Norma Nord from the Grassroots Centre; Joan Shears from the Rally for Peace; and Andrew Waterfall from the Greens.
People were entertained by the One World Choir, the Korean Chorus, and live band Alfonso and the Tides. Andrew Phillips from Resistance, and Jim McIlroy from the Democratic Socialist Party also gave greetings to the celebration.
Deakin refugee collective launched
GEELONG — Deakin University, Waurn Ponds campus, has joined the growing number of campuses with refugees' rights groups. Several students, with the support of progressive academics, launched the Deakin Refugee Rights Collective (DRRC) in mid July to campaign against the government's policy of mandatory detention of asylum seekers.
Resistance activist and Deakin University student Trisha Reimers said, "Already there are more than a dozen students willing to campaign until the government's anti-refugee policy is abolished." The DRRC will next meet at 1pm on July 31 in the Alfredo Room. For further information contact (03) 5222 6900.
South Coast Labour Council backs refugee struggle
WOLLONGONG — At its July 24 meeting, the South Coast Labour Council (SCLC) unanimously endorsed the Tampa Day statement prepared by the Sydney-based Free the Refugees campaign.
The meeting decided to display Tampa Day posters in the SCLC office, to encourage members to purchase black armbands on the day (including having them displayed at the union office), to make the statement available to affiliates and the public and, in an amendment moved by SCLC secretary Arthur Rorris, write an opinion piece in the Illawarra Mercury's August 26 Forum column about refugees.
The SCLC is currently fundraising for a full page advertisement in the Illawarra Mercury supporting refugees. Any money left over from the campaign will be donated the RAC. The SCLC has a long and proud history of supporting progressive causes and the advertisement will have a substantial impact.
From Green Left Weekly, July 31, 2002.
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