Dramatic
events are unfolding in the Middle East. Today (Tuesday) Egypt was
rocked by a wave of nationwide demonstrations demanding the end of the
Mubarak regime, which has oppressed the people of this proud nation for
nearly 30 years. This was the biggest protest movement Egypt has seen
for decades. In Cairo and other cities thousands of anti-government
protesters demonstrated on the streets and fought with police.
Wednesday,
January 26th was marked by yet more massive demonstrations throughout
Tunisia against the “national unity” government, whose key ministers
come from the government of the hated dictator Ben Ali. The same
dictator that the masses forced to flee two weeks ago.
Events
over the weekend have shown the strength of the revolutionary movement
in Tunisia and revealed the weakness of the national unity government.
The organisation of a “Liberation Caravan” marching to the capital has
the potential, if combined with a mass movement of demonstrations and
strikes, to bring down the government.
While
the “new” Tunisian government of “national unity” (in fact, stacked
with Ben Ali ministers) had its first meeting on Thursday, January 20,
and attempted to rush through a series of measures which would gain it
some legitimacy, the revolution continues on the streets and in the
workplaces with workers taking on anyone in authority who had links to
the old Ben Ali regime.
Wednesday
19th and Thursday 20th saw the continuation of mass demonstrations all over
Tunisia against the “new” national unity government and demanding an
end to the RCD ruling party. Tens of thousands marched throughout the
country under the slogan “RCD degagé” (Out with the RCD), clearly
identifying the national unity government as a continuation of the old
regime.
The case of Julian Assange has been the subject of intense speculation and dispute in the media and also among sections of the Left. In order to take a correct position it is necessary to cut through the fog of propaganda and lies, to separate the essential from the secondary and to distinguish what is progressive from what is reactionary.
“Imperialistic activity by the President received another name. Republicans now simply called it ‘dollar diplomacy’.” (Beard, Basic History of the United States)
“How do you know I’m a diplomat?
“By the skilful way you hide your claws.” (Edmond Rostand)
The Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota is challenging newly appointed Nats Cabinet Minister Hekia Parata to take a lead and advance the cause of Pay Equity or stand down within her first 90 days.
On Wednesday 20 October 22,000 workers came together at rallies around the country to demonstrate against the Nats proposed Hire and Fire law. Rallies took place in: Tokoroa, Gisborne, Tauranga, Hamilton, Taupo, Thames, Hastings, Wellington, Blenheim, Nelson, Kaitaia, Auckland, Paeroa, Rotorua, Runanga, Reefton, Kaikohe, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Levin, Hawera, Timaru, Bluff, Whanganui, Masterton, Dunedin, Invercargill, Whangarei. Below are accounts from two of the above rallies.
