Activist’s death puts internet freedom on the agenda

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Byron Clark

Internet commons activist Aaron Swartz has died by suicide several weeks out from a trial that could have seen him facing 35 years in prison and over a million dollars in fines. Despite being only 26 years old when he died, Tim Burners-Lee, inventor of the hypertext technology that makes the World Wide Web possible, commented that “we have lost a mentor, a wise elder”. Like Burners-Lee, Swartz had made important contributions to the sharing of information though modern technology, helping to develop the Real Simple Syndication (RSS) standard which allows users to subscribe to ‘feeds’ from websites, making the consumption of news and other information easier and facilitating ‘podcasts’ as a new form of distribution of audio content to subscribers.  [Read more…]

Wellington rally in solidarity with Gaza

12pm, Saturday 24th November
Cuba Mall bucket fountain

Facebook event

Against Beneficiary-Bashing (Wellington event)


What is motivating the government’s attacks on solo mums and sick people? Ian Anderson will lead a discussion on Marxist economics, scapegoating and fight-back.

Final instalment in a series of monthly Workers Party discussions for 2012. Look for them to start up again in early 2013!

19 Tory St, Wellington
7-8pm, Tuesday November 20th

Facebook event: http://tinyurl.com/abzxptg

Workers Party day school – Auckland, Saturday November 17

On Saturday November 17 Workers Party members, contacts, and supporters in Auckland will be holding the third monthly day school in a series of three.
In the previous day schools we examined why we need a revolutionary party and studied Lenin’s pamphlet on Imperialism.
This month the topic will be how socialists relate to the union movement. The day school is being held at Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Auckland.

Full Agenda

10.30 -11am Meet and greet, refreshments

11.00am -12.15pm Study: “Transitional and democratic slogans as bridges to socialist revolution”, by Joseph Hansen

12.15-1.30pm Study “Teamster Power”, Chapter 3 “A class struggle policy” by Farrell Dobbs

1.30-2.30pm Lunch Break

2.30-4pm Discussion “Organising a workers’ fight back in Aotearoa in 2013: Tasks and Perspectives”

Please confirm attendance in advance so that we can provide adequate handouts on the day. For further enquiries, if you wish to attend, or if you want the readings emailed out please contact Mike Kay on  021-288-5601 or email aucklandwp@gmail.com

Hamilton Public Forum: Support the Miners, Support the DSM

Speakers: John Minto (guest speaker) and Bex Broad
6-7.30pm, Thursday October 18
Waikato Trade Union Centre, 34 Harwood Street, Hamilton

Koha or $10 solidarity entry to help fundraising efforts for the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM)

Further information
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