Meetings, rallies and events

Announcement

Solidarity meets in cities all around the country. Check here for details of the latest upcoming meetings.

MELBOURNE

NEW VENUE: Melbourne Solidarity meets 6:30pm every Tuesday on the 2nd Floor of Melbourne University Student Union BldgRoom Joe Nap B contact Chris on 0403 013 183 for more info

Tuesday Aug 24
Making sense of the election: The way forward for the left as results hang in the balance

Solidarity Public Meeting this Tuesday 24 August 6:30pm
2nd Floor of Melbourne University Student Union Bldg, Room Joe Nap B

Left activists around the country have awoken (if they slept) to a contradictory picture the morning after the Federal Election. Encouragingly, the vote  for the Greens has increased, leading to the first Greens lower house member elected at a general election.  Many voters looked to the Greens as they searched for a left-wing alternative to an increasingly conservative ALP.
On the other hand, the prospect of an Abbott Coalition minority government remains on the cards, worrying many who are still seeking to rebuild after the Howard years. In many electorates in Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales the ALP virtually handed the election to the Coalition as they raced to the right on asylum seekers, education and healthcare.
Even as the results of the election remain unclear, one thing is certain. The left is going to need to be more organised and sharper to continue the fight for real action on climate change, an end to racist and inhumane refugee policy, rights at work and an end to the Northern Territory Intervention. The Greens vote provides a starting point - it is now up to us to organise and mobilise this section of the “electorate” now that the election is over. A crucial part of this will be continuing to build alliances between those who support these movements, whether they supported the Greens or the ALP at the ballot box.
Come along and discuss the ins and outs of the election results and what it means for the left. Shannon Price will be giving an introduction, with time for discussion and debate.
Tuesday Aug 31
Film Showing - Rocking The Foundations
The story of the BLF & Green Bans - in the 1970’s the Builders Labor’s Federation was radicalised after winning many of its own demands, there was a shift in power in the union from top down to bottom up, the empowered rank and file then joined a fight for city parkland and historic buildings.
Tuesday Sept 7 - Afghanistan - War, Lies & Leaks, Why the West is Losing

SYDNEY

7pm Thursday August 26
Post election meeting:
What does the result mean for the left?

All the polls point to a close election—meaning the disaster of a Tony Abbott government is possible. The blame for this lies squarely with Labor. Gillard’s decision to race Abbott to right over refugees, government debt and to postpone for another term any serious action on climate have given the Liberals breathing space. If Labor is returned, the hopes for change that were invested in them after the end of the Howard years now seem a faint memory. This forum will analyse the result, what the new government is likely to deliver, and what the result for The Greens, including the likelihood of the balance of power in the Senate, will mean.

7pm Thursday September 2
The origins of capitalism

Key to understanding the dynamics of capitalism as a social system is to examine how it emerged out of the feudal societies of Europe. This forum will examine whether Marx’s theory of history can explain this major historical transition, in looking at how changes in the forces of production provided the driving force in reshaping the relations of production, or how society is structured. It will also examine why capitalism emerged in the societies of Western Europe first, and not in other regions that had been more advanced in previous centuries, such as China. Finally it will look at what the social dislocations and revolutions that allowed capitalism to emerge can teach us how an alternative to capitalism might also come about.

Sydney Solidarity meets 7pm every Thursday at the Brown st hall, on Brown st above the Newtown library, just off King st. All welcome.
For more information contact Jean on 0449 646 593 or sydney<at>solidarity.net.au

PERTH

For more information contact Trish on 0405 597 598 or 08 9339 7128 or perth<at>solidarity.net.au

BRISBANE

Thursday July 22

European Sovereign Debt: Is the GFC over?

Thursday August 5
Is Labor still a workers Party?

Thurs August 19
Is Cuba a model for 21st century socialism?

Brisbane Solidarity meets 7pm every Thursday. Meetings are held at the the Trades and Labour Council Building, Level 2, 16 Peel St, South Brisbane (unless otherwise listed). All welcome. For more information contact Carl on 0431 041 751 or brisbane<at>solidarity.net.au

 

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