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500 rally for refugees

BY TOM NELSON BYRON BAY — People power hit the streets on February 14 when 500 people defied the rain to march for refugees' rights. It was by far the largest pro-refugee action ever held in northern NSW. Protesters chanted, "Freedom not

Protesters call for Australia's explusion from Commonwealth

BY TIM STEWART Public outcry and protests against racist laws, human rights violations and Third World debt have dogged heads of government over the past 30 years during the biannual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and as CHOGM meets next

Rural Australians for Refugees defies 'rural conservatism' myth

BY BRONWYN JENNINGS Since its formation in October, Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) has organised hundreds of people to campaign in defence of refugees. With 16 RAR groups having been formed, the network has boosted the fight to close refugee

I am a feminist because...

Women still only get on average two-thirds the average wage of men. — Susan Austin, Brisbane. It's always women who bear the brunt of capitalism's attacks. Feminism is about getting out there and doing something about it, whether you're a man or

UNITED STATES: 'They are all Enron, we are all Argentina'

BY ROHAN PEARCE Predictions made by mainstream media commentators and spokespeople for the ruling elite that the movement against corporate tyranny would die in the wake of the September 11 terror attacks were disproved by the successful protests

Crossin condemns refugee policies

BY GARY MEYERHOFF DARWIN — "It is time both parties stopped playing the game — who can be tougher on refugees?", ALP Senator Trish Crossin told a public meeting on February 5, becoming the latest ALP politician to speak out against inhumane

BRITAIN: Socialist Alliance targeted as press sees red

BY PHIL HEARSE LONDON — On January 28-29, 2500 workers at South West Trains, which daily brings 250,000 commuters to Central London, struck over pay and against the demotion of local union leader Greg Tucker. Over the same two-day period,

Spying after the 'end of history'

Spy GameDirected by Tony ScottWith Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, Catherine McCormack and Marianne Jean-BaptisteAt major cinemas REVIEW BY ZANNY BEGG Tony Scott's new film, Spy Game, is an intriguing investigation into how to construct a spy film

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Government shields BHP-Billiton

BY BOB BURTON In an extraordinary move the Papua New Guinea government has passed legislation that prevents any government agency from taking or supporting "in any way" proceedings against BHP-Billiton "in respect of an environmental claim" over

Pressure grows for change on refugee detention policy

BY SARAH STEPHEN Immigration minister Philip Ruddock lied when he said that processing of Woomera detainees' asylum claims was halted due to changed conditions in Afghanistan. On February 4, Marc Purcell, the executive director of the Catholic

On the box

Actively Radical TV — Sydney community television's progressive current affairs producers tackle the hard issues from the activist's point of view. CTS Sydney (UHF 31), every Sunday, 9pm. Ph 9565 5522. Visit <http://www.channel31.org> for

Students to protest for refugees' rights

BY MARIA VOUKELATOS BRISBANE — Young people will vote with their feet against the Coalition government's racist and inhumane policy of mandatory detention of refugees. In Brisbane, Geelong and Sydney high school students from the socialist youth