News briefs #2
Defence of gay and lesbian rights
SYDNEY - More than 800 people gathered in Town Hall square on June 26, in a massive show of opposition to the Coalition government's moves to amend the marriage rights bill in order to ban marriage and overseas adoption for same-sex couples.
"This federal government is the first government in Australian history that has attempted to pass legislation that winds back gay and lesbian rights", Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby co-convenor Rob McGrory said. "It's a grubby political tactic in the lead-up to an election."
On the recent controversy surrounding the portrayal of a lesbian couple on the children's program Play School, GLRL co-convenor Somali Cerise asked, "How is it that [John Howard], who knew nothing about the prisoners in Iraq, knew what the ABC was showing toddlers at 9.30 in the morning?"
Dorothy McRae-McMahon, a retired Uniting Church Reverend, also addressed the rally.
The newly formed Community Action Against Homophobia is organising another protest for July 25. For more information phone Kylie on 0411 104 813.
Kylie Moon
Students to discuss environment
MELBOURNE - More than 800 delegates are expected to converge on La Trobe University from July 11-17 for the Students of Sustainability (SoS) conference. The annual community environment conference is now in its 13th year.
SoS will draw together academics, politicians, environmental activists, business-people and many others from across Australia and the Pacific. The conference is being organised by a collective of more than 30 young students, artists, teachers, performers and others.
For conference organiser Anna McGuire, "SoS is about encouraging people to explore current environmental and social justice issues. It is an opportunity for people to get together to gain new skills, share ideas, and work towards a positive and sustainable future."
Forums and workshops will take place on a range of issues such as genetic engineering in agriculture, Indigenous land management, globalisation, grey water systems, legal rights, corporate campaigning and deep ecology.
Amungme community leader Mama Yusefa Alomang, a director of the West Papuan Foundation Against Violence and for Human Rights, will address the conference.
Documentaries, including on the campaigns of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which has been protecting endangered marine wildlife for over 25 years, will be screened.
[For more information visit Frances Evans
BRISBANE - "The siege of Fallujah was a massacre", Donna Mulhearn, one of five foreigners present in the Iraqi city during the US military assault in April, told a public meeting held at St Mary's Church, South Brisbane, on June 30.
"Fallujah was used for selective punishment by the US military", she told the audience of 100 people. "But the people of Fallujah defended themselves house by house, and they won."
"The root cause of the violence now is the presence of US troops and contractors", Mulhearn added. Her video presentation of life among Baghdad's street kids was accompanied by a commentary by an Iraqi companion, who is touring Australia with Mulhearn, explaining the truth about Iraq to Australian audiences.
Jim McIlroy
LAUNCESTON - On June 29, 40 people picketed Prime Minister John Howard when he attended a childhood obesity forum. The picketers were protesting his government's policies on same-sex marriage and Aboriginal legal services funding.
The picketers included Meredith de Landelles, the Socialist Alliance candidate for Bass, Rodney Croome from the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group and Michael Mansell from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre.
Anthea Stutter
NEWCASTLE - Peter Robson, the Socialist Alliance candidate for the federal seat of Newcastle, launched his campaign with a public speakout and an anti-war street theatre performance on July 4, US Independence Day.
Robson called for the Australian government to end its support for the illegal and immoral US-led occupation of Iraq by bringing all the troops home immediately.
"An ongoing occupation will not bring more security to Iraq, the Middle East or the rest of the world", said Robson. "Iraq must be allowed real independence, the first step being to pull out all foreign troops and allow democratic elections to be held."
For more information on Robson's campaign phone Simon on 0405 733 768 or Peter on 0408 702 996.
Simon Butler
From Green Left Weekly, July 7, 2004.
Eyewitness account of Fallujah siege
Howard picketed
Socialists hold July 4 speakout
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