Action updates
ADELAIDE — 150 people attended a spirited rally for East Timor here on February 22. Jorge Azevedo, representing the Timorese community, told the crowd that the "Timorese do not want the Australian government to continue to appease the fascists in Indonesia, but to take a peaceful stand on the side of East Timor". The Campaign For an Independent East Timor plans to hold a national conference over the Easter long weekend. For further information, ring (08) 371 0480 or 269 6252.
- It seems that many young people here haven't heard that socialism is "dead". At Flinders University orientation February 24-26, the Adelaide branch of Resistance had a large, colourful stall displaying books and leaflets on issues ranging from the environment and East Timor solidarity to women's liberation. The stall and the enthusiastic approach of the Resistance team attracted many people, and 46 joined over the three days.
CANBERRA — The Environmental Youth Alliance organised a demonstration outside the Indonesian embassy on February 22 to protest against the destruction of Siberut island by logging.
DARWIN — IWD is coming to the Top End. Saturday, March 7, will begin with a march from Raintree Park starting at 10 a.m. and going to Brown's Mart. During the evening there will be a dance at Alawa hall. Women are asked to come/dress up as a "famous" woman. The Office of Women's Affairs is organising a dinner at the Asian Gateway on Sunday night. A women-only "Mixtures" will be held on Saturday, March 29.
FREMANTLE — Residents had a significant victory when the Fremantle City Council unanimously rejected plans by Caltex Oil to expand its operations in North Fremantle. The Fremantle Community Action Group had recently won support from some unions, the fuel storage tanks being only part of business plans for Fremantle. Other plans include a six-lane freeway which would cut a swathe through an estimated 90 houses in East Fremantle and many more in Fremantle itself.
MELBOURNE — About 130 attended an International Women's Day public meeting to discuss the theme of this year's march and rally, "Stop Violence Against Women". Panelists included Donna Stuart from the Violence against Women and Children Working Group, a subcommittee of the Federation of Community Legal Centres, Fiona Blackburn from the Campaign for Women's Reproductive Rights, Carmelita Gomez from the East Timorese Youth Association, Melanie Sjoberg from the Democratic Socialist Party, Miirela Uljar from the Croatian Feminist Collective and Christine Craik from the Democrats. There will be a further chance to discuss a range of issues at a seminar titled "The Third Wave? Sex and Feminism in the Nineties" on Tuesday, March 10 at 6.30 p.m. at the Resistance Centre, 14 Anthony St, Melbourne. Information 329 1277.
NEWCASTLE — At a barbecue for Green Left Weekly on February 22, some 25 participants heard speakers congratulate the paper for spreading a green and progressive message in the Hunter region. Dave Winwood, organiser for Newcastle's bus employees union, spoke on the value of the paper in ness media's distortions. Latin Americanm activist Veronica Meneses emphasised Green Left's solidarity with Cuba in the 500th year of Western domination over that region. Democratic Socialist Party national secretary John Percy said the paper was inspiring a new, as well as an older generation of activists.