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PHOTOS: Sydney March in March 2015

About 2500 people took part in the Sydney March in March, according to organisers. Many issues were raised but the issue that seem to anger most people is the attack by federal and state Coalition governments attacks on remote Aboriginal communities. Photos by Peter Boyle.

Youth protest against lack of affordable housing

On March 11 around 90, mainly young people gathered outside parliament house to raise awareness about housing affordability in Sydney. Many carried furniture, signs and banners about youth homelessness directed at NSW Premier Mike Baird. Signs asked if protesters could move into parliament house with Mike Baird, as there are no affordable housing options in Sydney.

Friends of the Earth buzzing about victory for bees and freedom of speech

Friends of the Earth released this statement on March 13. * * * A judge has ruled that the environmental group Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND) has a right to voice concerns over potential harm to bees from a neonicotinoid pesticide, Thiacloprid. The judge in the Duesseldorf Regional Court revoked a previous injunction in favour of BAYER CropScience. Thiacloprid is used on crops such as oilseed rape and apples and is sold to the public in garden bug-killing products.
Protesters in Perth

Resistance builds against plan to close Aboriginal communities

Thousands of people rallied in cities and towns around Australia on March 19 in opposition to the planned closure of around 150 remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia. The issue was thrust into the spotlight in September when the federal government 鈥 without consultation 鈥 announced that it would stop providing funding to these homeland communities from July 1 this year.

Australian news - in brief

Victorian rally against factory trawlers A rally was held in Geelong on March 22 calling for a permanent ban on large freezer factory trawlers berthing in the town. Coordinator of the Stop the Trawler Alliance Rebecca Hubbard said: 鈥淭he new factory trawler proposing to fish will be the largest freezer factory trawler to ever operate in Australia鈥檚 Small Pelagic Fishery, and poses significant threats to protected dolphins, seals and seabirds.鈥 Richest companies avoid tax scrutiny

Israel: Netanyahu re-election a win for 'truth in labelling'

Let me be clear: I am not happy, as such, that Likud Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won Israel's March 17 elections. Netanyahu is a blood-soaked killer. He should be put on trial for his many crimes, from the relentless theft of Palestinian land to last summer鈥檚 massacre in Gaza 鈥 and I yearn to see that day.

'They don't give a fuck about us': Rapper Provocolz responds to Aboriginal community closures with new track 'Closure'

Radical Aboriginal rapper Provocalz uploaded the new track "Closure" to YouTube on March 20, in his words to "get out the anger n frustrations of the last few days". It responds to the proposal to forcibly close up to 150 rural Aboriginal communities.

Venezuelans march against US aggression

Thousands of workers from public companies took part in an anti-imperialist march in Caracas on March 18, said that day. They demanded the US government retract its labelling of Venezuela as a 鈥渢hreat鈥. Four days earlier, more than 100,000 Venezuelans mobilised throughout the country for a series of national military exercises in defence of their national sovereignty, Venezuelanalysis said on March 16.

Greece defies EU, passes anti-poverty law

Greece鈥檚 parliament passed what it called a 鈥渉umanitarian crisis鈥 bill on March 18 in order to help the poorest sectors of its population. In a move opposed by representatives from the European Union, the government of left-wing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras pushed for housing allowances and emergency food aid to people in need.

Good news (for a change)

INDIGENOUS PERUVIANS WIN PAYOUT FROM US OIL GIANT

Greece, Venezuela strengthen partnership, discuss new deals

Venezuela has proposed trade and economic agreements that would make Athens one of Caracas' main trading partners, TeleSUR English said on March 7. The proposal came as Venezuela and Greece solidified their partnership when Venezuelan officials visited the European country to meet the new SYRIZA government. Venezuela's foreign minister Delcy Rodriguez met new Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on March 6. The two parties discussed furthering cooperation agreements, particularly in technology, industry, trade, shipping, energy, commerce and tourism.

How to get active this week

GREEK ELECTIONS REPORT BACK GLW correspondent Dick Nichols reported from Athens during the Greek elections and will speak on SYRIZA and the fight against austerity. Brisbane: Thursday March 26, 6pm Electrical Trades Union, 41 Peel St South Brisbane Armidale: Saturday March 28, 6pm. Followed by a Mediterranean feast and the launch of the Socialist Alliance New England statement. Kent House, 142 Faulkner Street, Armidale. Phone: Bea 0458 752 680 MARCH ON PALM SUNDAY MARCH 29 Walk for justice for refugees. Adelaide: 1.30pm @ Parliament House