Direct Action Newspaper
In their own words
“It is reasonable to ask whether the people of Iraq will notice any change.” — US Congressman Dennis Kucinich on President Obama’s pledge to withdraw troops from Iraq but leave thousands of armed contractors and State Department employees.
Direct Action indexing Section: In Their Own WordsWhat occupy Wall Street reveals
By Barry Sheppard, in San Francisco
No one predicted the phenomenon that has become known as Occupy Wall Street (OWS), nor could it have been predicted.
A small group of anarchist-minded people in Canada first proposed an attempt to set up an “occupation” near the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street. They were inspired by the tents and encampments set up earlier in the year in Cairo’s Tahrir Square and the spread of similar tactics to Spain and other countries.
What is the Zeitgeist Movement?
By Doug Lorimer
Across the developed capitalist world, the Occupy Wall Street movement has inspired similar protests by thousands of people angered at the government bailouts of the banks and big corporations while the rest of us are forced to endure attacks on our living standards through government-imposed austerity. It has also attracted some weird hangers-on.
Successes of Cuba's socialised health care
By Margaret Perrot
Cuba is ranked as a Third World country, but the education and health systems are equivalent to or better than those of all First World countries.
Direct Action indexing Section: International News & AnalysisSpanish voters punish PSOE government
By Nick Everett
On November 20, the governing Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), led by Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of voters angered by the harsh austerity measures imposed upon them. The right-wing Popular Party (PP), led by former deputy prime minister Mariano Rajoy, has formed a government committed to even deeper austerity measures.
Snapshots of Obama's visit to Australia
By Hamish Chitts
Direct Action indexing Section: Australian News & AnalysisPolitical art space set up to challenge the status quo
By James Crafti
Accepting Australian political rock band Midnight Oil’s induction into the ARIA hall of fame, the band’s drummer, Rob Hirst, commented: “Bush finally admitted that Iraq may prove to be his Vietnam. But Vietnam inspired some of the greatest protest songs ever written. Not so now, surprisingly, even when hundreds of thousands of Australians crowded our streets to demonstrate their opposition to another senseless war.”
Philippine Airlines workers continue struggle, support Qantas staff
By Ben Reid
The Qantas lockout of its workers in Australia is not unique. More than 2000 workers were locked out by Philippine Airlines (PALEA) since October 1. The Philippine Airline Employee’s Association has maintained a growing campaign for their re-instatement that is gaining international support.
Palestine admitted to UNESCO in defiance of US bullying
By Sri Kandi, in Paris
Palestine achieved a significant breakthrough in its bid for recognition as a state on October 31. In a landslide vote of 107 in favour and 14 against, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) admitted Palestine as its 195th member.
On occupations
By Max Lane
“Two nations; between whom there is no intercourse and no sympathy; who are as ignorant of each other’s habits, thoughts, and feelings, as if they were dwellers in different zones, or inhabitants of different planets; who are formed by a different breeding, are fed by a different food, are ordered by different manners, and are not governed by the same laws.” “You speak of — ” said Egremont, hesitantly, “the rich and the poor.” Benjamin Disraeli, Sybil, or the Two Nations (1845)
Occupy Sydney mobilises thousands
By Kay Vern
Occupy Sydney has mobilised more than 3000 people in two rallies and smaller actions, gathered together a diverse range of people engaging in many hours of discussions and debate, within general assemblies, working groups, creative art groups, on social networking media and on the occupysydney.org.au website. It organised Saturday free schools and education workshops in Hyde Park, and a Corporate Greed Tour on Saturday, November 19.
Occupy: hope for a better world
By Kathy Newnam
(Speech delivered to the Defend the Occupy Movement Unity rally, November 5, King George Square, Brisbane.)
For the past three days, this Occupation has been chased around this city. Moved on. Fined, caged in and caged out of public spaces. The question that we have to ask Quirk, Bligh and the question that we have to pose to the whole world is: what are they afraid of?
Occupy, direct democracy and socialism
By Hamish Chitts
Despite constant harassment from Brisbane City Council and the Queensland government and despite slander and misinformation from the corporate media, Occupy Brisbane has maintained a constant presence in Brisbane’s public spaces since October 15. The occupation has challenged corporate greed and the undemocratic power that corporations and their capitalist owners wield over the majority of the world’s population. The occupiers have been pushed around, but are providing hope and an example for a better future for the working class.
Monsanto's crimes unpunished!
By John Percy
The many crimes of the rapacious global corporation Monsanto were exposed at a public forum in Sydney November 23, organised by Agent Orange Justice — Australia Vietnam Solidarity Network.
Letter to Direct action: What is a mass party
Allen Myers, in his article “What are we waiting for?”, (Direct Action no. 36) says:
“The Russian Bolsheviks did not become a real mass party until after the February 1917 revolution”.
Direct Action indexing Section: LettersIndonesia: Strikes and protests as discontent rises
By Max Lane
The simmering discontent throughout Indonesia regularly overflowed throughout October and November. There were student protests against the Yudhoyono government, attacking corruption, economic injustice and political manipulation of local government, in cities including Jakarta, Jogjakarta, Cirebon, Samarinda (in Borneo), Makassar, Surabaya and Kediri.
Individualism and capitalism
By Allen Myers
Direct Action indexing Section: Views, Discussion & DebateGet them out and worry about the details later!
By James Crafti
The Occupy Melbourne Protest was brutally attacked on October 21 by Victorian Police, who used extreme force... Having set up an occupation site at City Square on Swanston St in the Melbourne CBD on Saturday October 15 as part of the global Occupy Together movement, the Occupy Melbourne protests were starting to consolidate. As most Melbourne activists expected, Occupy Melbourne was large on its first day attracting 1,000 people, declining to about 300 on the following day. Approximately 100 people remained on site each day and night over the course of the following week. Throughout the week, the protesters continued to consolidate their ongoing presence and attract a solid periphery. Regular meetings and general assemblies occurred, several protests with other activist groups were organized, as were several film screenings. In this sense the protests not only kept their presence going but managed to generate significant political discussions within the Melbourne CBD about problems in our society and potential solutions.
Fight against Greed in Papua
By Setyo Budi
(A slightly shorter version of this article has been published in New Matilda.)
It was 10 o’clock in the evening on September 11. Sudiro, the chief negotiator in West Papua’s ongoing Freeport strikes, was sitting alone on the veranda of his house. He had spent all day with Freeport Indonesia management, bargaining for a wage rise for the members of his union – the All Indonesia Workers Union (SPSI) Freeport division.
Egyptian protests demand end to military rule
By Kim Bullimore
More than 100,000 Egyptians packed Tahrir (Liberation) Square on Friday, November 27 for the ninth consecutive day since new protests began on November 18, calling for democracy, social justice and an end to the military’s control of the country. Despite the death of at least 40 protesters and injuries to more than 2000 others at the hands of the security forces, hundreds of thousands have continued to flood onto the streets of Cairo, Alexandria and other major centres.
Direct Action Newspaper
- In their own words
- What occupy Wall Street reveals
- What is the Zeitgeist Movement?
- Successes of Cuba's socialised health care
- Spanish voters punish PSOE government
- Snapshots of Obama's visit to Australia
- Political art space set up to challenge the status quo
- Philippine Airlines workers continue struggle, support Qantas staff
- Palestine admitted to UNESCO in defiance of US bullying
- On occupations