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Showing posts with the label history

Plan B 2024 is here! Your Diary Planner for 2024

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Finally it's here: Plan B 2024 is out! It's taken a while, it got held up at the printers - but at last it's here! Plan B's a functional weekly planner. Each week includes dates and facts about resistance and events that have occurred since the early settlers and colonisers arrived in this country. And each month is introduced by a stunning image created by one of twelve local creatives.  The images commemorate some of those often ignored, overlooked, deliberately forgotten events that have happened in this country. We've got artwork highlighting protest and community action around housing and homes, deep sea oil exploration, colonialism, imperialism, racism, climate change, surveillance and more.  Many of the events and dates are from stories and histories that are usually overlooked in 'official' versions - so with Plan B, as you plot and plan your way though 2024, you know that you are not alone. You can be reminded of what has come before and that opposi

Plan B 2024 is underway

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Planning for Plan B 2024 is underway and we need your help! Deflated Waihopai spy base, 2008 (art by Hannah) We've teamed up with  Wellington ZineFest  again and for 2024 we're commissioning twelve new original images from local creatives to commemorate key dates in this country's radical history.  To pay the artists we've set up a  PledgeMe  campaign. We want to be able to acknowledge their creativity and mahi and help them continue with their creativity - so check out the  Pledge Me . The funds raised will go directly to the artists, and anyone who donates will get access to preorders for Plan B 2024, plus zines, stickers and postcards for higher rewards. Plan B has been going for five years now; the first one we got out was Plan B 2019. From 2019 to 2022 it was solely done by the Freedom Shop and was a stapled A5 booklet but for 2023 we partnered with Wellington Zinefest and got more creative. Zinefest got funding and we created a ring-bound dramatic black and white

RIP Déwé Gorodey who died recently at the age of 73

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Gorodey was a member of the Red Scarves movement, a founding member of both PALIKA, the Party of Kanak Liberation which became one of the groups which formed the FLNKS coalition, and the feminist Groupe de Femmes Kanak Exploitées en Lutte (Group of Kanak and Exploited Women in Struggle). She was imprisoned three times between 1974 and 1977 for her political activities.   She was the first Kanak woman to gain a university degree, a teacher, writer and politician. She wrote collections of poems and short stories and the first published Kanak novel L'Épave (translated as The Wreck). As a teacher, she encouraged the use of her own language, Païci, and later became  a leading figure in the Ecoles Populaires Kanak (Kanak Popular Schools) movement, set up in opposition to French state schools Kanak  to teach Kanak children about their history, culture and languages. After the Noumea accord, she worked as an elected member of the New Caledonian congress. "My country is Kanaky" -

We’re 25!

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Twenty-five years ago, on May 1, 1995 members of the anarchist group Committee for the Establishment of Civilisation (CEC) started up Anarchist Books in the existing space of the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), called the Freedom Shop in a tiny building at 272 Cuba St. The Freedom Shop in 1995 A lot has changed since then – the building made way for the ill-named “bypass”, the Cuba St district was thoroughly gentrified, the Freedom Shop is now in Newtown and the future of printed material is uncertain. But some things haven’t. Plans for yet more roads and more destruction of neighbourhoods that resulted in the bypass back then are still election issues today with catchy slogans like “4 lanes to the planes” - a reminder that building more roads inevitably creates demand for even more roads. And this year will see the referendum on cannabis law reform, the result of the campaign to “normalise” marijuana that created the original Freedom Shop. 25 years is

We’re 25!

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Twenty-five years ago, on May 1, 1995 members of the anarchist group Committee for the Establishment of Civilisation (CEC) started up Anarchist Books in the existing space of the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), called the Freedom Shop in a tiny building at 272 Cuba St. The Freedom Shop in 1995 A lot has changed since then – the building made way for the ill-named “bypass”, the Cuba St district was thoroughly gentrified, the Freedom Shop is now in Newtown and the future of printed material is uncertain. But some things haven’t. Plans for yet more roads and more destruction of neighbourhoods that resulted in the bypass back then are still election issues today with catchy slogans like “4 lanes to the planes” - a reminder that building more roads inevitably creates demand for even more roads. And this year will see the referendum on cannabis law reform, the result of the campaign to “normalise” marijuana that created the original Freedom Shop. 25 years is

Book Review - The Trigger, Tim Butcher

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The Trigger, Tim Butcher (London, 2014) A book review by Barrie Sargeant, published in Aargh #4 2014 was the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1. In New Zealand “World War I” means Gallipoli and the Western Front. That’s where most of the ANZACs spent their time so that has become the area of interest in this part of the world. It’s understandable that this has happened but it means other aspects of the war are less known or understood. For example, how did it start?  According to Baldrick in Blackadder “ I heard that it started when a bloke called Archie Duke shot an ostrich ‘cause he was hungry ”. Nice try, but a bit wrong. The truth is, the assassin was a man called Gavrilo Princip, part of a group of Bosnian nationalists who shot Arch-Duke Franz Ferdinand of Austro-Hungary when visiting his empire’s outpost in Sarajevo. With millions of people across whole continents having died or been wounded, very little attention has been paid to Princip as an individual. Who was he and w

Book Review - The Trigger, Tim Butcher

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The Trigger, Tim Butcher (London, 2014) A book review by Barrie Sargeant, published in Aargh #4 2014 was the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1. In New Zealand “World War I” means Gallipoli and the Western Front. That’s where most of the ANZACs spent their time so that has become the area of interest in this part of the world. It’s understandable that this has happened but it means other aspects of the war are less known or understood. For example, how did it start?  According to Baldrick in Blackadder “ I heard that it started when a bloke called Archie Duke shot an ostrich ‘cause he was hungry ”. Nice try, but a bit wrong. The truth is, the assassin was a man called Gavrilo Princip, part of a group of Bosnian nationalists who shot Arch-Duke Franz Ferdinand of Austro-Hungary when visiting his empire’s outpost in Sarajevo. With millions of people across whole continents having died or been wounded, very little attention has been paid to Princip as an individual. Who was he and w

Wars Without End – the land wars in nineteenth century New Zealand by Danny Keenan

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The following is a book review that originally appeared in issue 6 of aargh! (available online here ) A wonderful ease Wars Without End – the land wars in nineteenth century New Zealand by Danny Keenan -  Penguin 2009 Reviewed by Peppertree BY CHOOSING the title Wars Without End , Danny Keenan puts an important conclusion of his book on the land wars right up front. While the gun fighting mainly took place between 1843 and 1872, the battle over land has continued endlessly in the courts, in parliament and in tribunal hearings. In the age of neoliberalism, the armed force have been replaced by hordes of property developers who continue to dispossess people of a place to live. Every chapter of the very detailed book clearly shows how utterly incompatible the British concept of individual property titles and the collective ownership model of Māori society are. The British system with its clearly defined, surveyed and permanently owned plots was imposed on a society where land had always b

Wars Without End – the land wars in nineteenth century New Zealand by Danny Keenan

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The following is a book review that originally appeared in issue 6 of aargh! (available online here ) A wonderful ease Wars Without End – the land wars in nineteenth century New Zealand by Danny Keenan -  Penguin 2009 Reviewed by Peppertree BY CHOOSING the title Wars Without End , Danny Keenan puts an important conclusion of his book on the land wars right up front. While the gun fighting mainly took place between 1843 and 1872, the battle over land has continued endlessly in the courts, in parliament and in tribunal hearings. In the age of neoliberalism, the armed force have been replaced by hordes of property developers who continue to dispossess people of a place to live. Every chapter of the very detailed book clearly shows how utterly incompatible the British concept of individual property titles and the collective ownership model of Māori society are. The British system with its clearly defined, surveyed and permanently owned plots was imposed on a society where land had always b

The Spanish Revolution

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We celebrated and remembered the Spanish Revolution and the people involved as it gave so many people a world of enablement and empowerment. A world not ruled by class and capitalism, but a world based on collectivism and humanity. If you would like more information about the Revolution, at the Freedom Shop there are a range of books, pamphlets and zines on the Spanish Revolution, including: Ready for Revolution: The CNT Defense Committees in Barcelona, 1933–1938 by Agustín Guillamón; Anarchism and Workers’ Self-Management in Revolutionary Spain by Frank Mintz; We The Anarchists! A Study Of The Iberian Anarchist Federation (FAI) 1927–1937 by Stuart Christie; Durruti in the Spanish Revolution by Abel Paz; Anarchism in Galicia: Organisation, Resistance and Women in the Underground by Eliseo Fernández, Antón Briallos, and Carmen Blanco, and Free Society: A German Exile in Revolutionary Spain by Werner Drescher. Three of the film shown at the exhibition are on-line: Vivir la Utopia (

The Spanish Revolution

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We celebrated and remembered the Spanish Revolution and the people involved as it gave so many people a world of enablement and empowerment. A world not ruled by class and capitalism, but a world based on collectivism and humanity. If you would like more information about the Revolution, at the Freedom Shop there are a range of books, pamphlets and zines on the Spanish Revolution, including: Ready for Revolution: The CNT Defense Committees in Barcelona, 1933–1938 by Agustín Guillamón; Anarchism and Workers’ Self-Management in Revolutionary Spain by Frank Mintz; We The Anarchists! A Study Of The Iberian Anarchist Federation (FAI) 1927–1937 by Stuart Christie; Durruti in the Spanish Revolution by Abel Paz; Anarchism in Galicia: Organisation, Resistance and Women in the Underground by Eliseo Fernández, Antón Briallos, and Carmen Blanco, and Free Society: A German Exile in Revolutionary Spain by Werner Drescher. Three of the film shown at the exhibition are on-line: Vivir la Utopia (

Saturday, 9 July
 - Two Films & Exhibition

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Join us for the third day of the Spanish Revolution exhibition Saturday 9 July  -  Open from 10am - 1-2pm: Mujeres Libres - film screening ‘ Toda la Vida ’ followed by discussion
.  Toda la Vida' (All our Lives) is a film about Mujeres Libres. Angered by the sexism of their male comrades and by their marginalisation within a revolution that was supposed to offer liberty to all - women organised themselves. Mujeres Libres, formed in 1936 with a membership of over 30,000,  fought for both female emancipation and social revolution, arguing that the two had to be realised side by side. As well as fighting and dying at the front alongside men they set up schools, shut down brothels and engaged in popular education in both urban and rural communities.  7pm: movie screening ‘ La Lengua de las Mariposas (Tongue of the Butterfly) ’ Described as a movie that makes you think, 'Tongue of the Butterfly' captures the relationship between state and church in mid-1930s Spain and the time w

Saturday, 9 July
 - Two Films & Exhibition

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Join us for the third day of the Spanish Revolution exhibition Saturday 9 July  -  Open from 10am - 1-2pm: Mujeres Libres - film screening ‘ Toda la Vida ’ followed by discussion
.  Toda la Vida' (All our Lives) is a film about Mujeres Libres. Angered by the sexism of their male comrades and by their marginalisation within a revolution that was supposed to offer liberty to all - women organised themselves. Mujeres Libres, formed in 1936 with a membership of over 30,000,  fought for both female emancipation and social revolution, arguing that the two had to be realised side by side. As well as fighting and dying at the front alongside men they set up schools, shut down brothels and engaged in popular education in both urban and rural communities.  7pm: movie screening ‘ La Lengua de las Mariposas (Tongue of the Butterfly) ’ Described as a movie that makes you think, 'Tongue of the Butterfly' captures the relationship between state and church in mid-1930s Spain and the time w

Thursday opening - Spanish Revolution - 80 Years

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- 6pm -  Thursday, 7 July The Spanish Revolution exhibition at 17 Tory St, Wellington central, opens this Thursday, 7 July. At 6pm we have two speakers: Lynn will briefly talk about why the Spanish Revolution still enthuses and inspires her; Lyn is a local anarchist who put together an exhibition for the 75th Anniversary five years ago in Wellington. It's time now to celebrate the 80th Anniversary. Barry Pateman will also speak. Barry has worked with and known many people who were involved with the Spanish Revolution. He spoke 30 years ago at the 50th Anniversary in London and now that he's living in this part of the world, will join us and share ' Some thoughts about why the Spanish Revolution is important to us today'. Barry has done a lot of work over the years on 'clearing the rubble from the garden of history to find the patterns beneath'. Barry is involved with the Kate Sharpley Library (KSL)  - a wonderful resource of anarchist literature and he is also

Thursday opening - Spanish Revolution - 80 Years

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- 6pm -  Thursday, 7 July The Spanish Revolution exhibition at 17 Tory St, Wellington central, opens this Thursday, 7 July. At 6pm we have two speakers: Lynn will briefly talk about why the Spanish Revolution still enthuses and inspires her; Lyn is a local anarchist who put together an exhibition for the 75th Anniversary five years ago in Wellington. It's time now to celebrate the 80th Anniversary. Barry Pateman will also speak. Barry has worked with and known many people who were involved with the Spanish Revolution. He spoke 30 years ago at the 50th Anniversary in London and now that he's living in this part of the world, will join us and share ' Some thoughts about why the Spanish Revolution is important to us today'. Barry has done a lot of work over the years on 'clearing the rubble from the garden of history to find the patterns beneath'. Barry is involved with the Kate Sharpley Library (KSL)  - a wonderful resource of anarchist literature and he is also

The Spanish Revolution - 80 years

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Escape the cold Wellington winter and remember one of the great moments of working class history, the sunny days of 80 years ago when ordinary Spaniards seized control of their lives, fought fascism and showed how pleasant life could be when capitalism and the state are consigned to the dustbin. Come along to 17 Tory St from Thursday 7th July to Sunday 10th July and view the exhibition or join us for a variety of events including film screenings, discussions & more... Schedule: Thursday, 7 July -Open from 5pm 6pm: Barry Pateman - "Some thoughts about why the Spanish Revolution is important to us today". Barry is from the Kate Sharpley Library (KSL) and editor at The Emma Goldman papers. KSL has published many pamphlets by participants in the Spanish Revolution as well as a number of books including “ The Friends of Durruti ” and " Ready for Revolution ”.
Pan y vino incluido

. Friday, 8 July
 -Open all day 12.30 - 1.30pm: lunchtime discussion ‘What is Anarchism?

The Spanish Revolution - 80 years

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Escape the cold Wellington winter and remember one of the great moments of working class history, the sunny days of 80 years ago when ordinary Spaniards seized control of their lives, fought fascism and showed how pleasant life could be when capitalism and the state are consigned to the dustbin. Come along to 17 Tory St from Thursday 7th July to Sunday 10th July and view the exhibition or join us for a variety of events including film screenings, discussions & more... Schedule: Thursday, 7 July -Open from 5pm 6pm: Barry Pateman - "Some thoughts about why the Spanish Revolution is important to us today". Barry is from the Kate Sharpley Library (KSL) and editor at The Emma Goldman papers. KSL has published many pamphlets by participants in the Spanish Revolution as well as a number of books including “ The Friends of Durruti ” and " Ready for Revolution ”.
Pan y vino incluido

. Friday, 8 July
 -Open all day 12.30 - 1.30pm: lunchtime discussion ‘What is Anarchism?

The Spanish Revolution - 80 Years

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Join us for a celebration of what Noam Chomsky called "a glimpse of a future that differs by orders of magnitude from the tendencies inherent in the state capitalist and state socialist societies that exist today." From Thursday, 7 July to Sunday, 10 July , the Freedom Shop will be holding a series of events at 17 Tory St, Te Aro, including: exhibition, film screenings, talks and discussions, books and pamphlets, and more... More details coming soon!

The Spanish Revolution - 80 Years

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Join us for a celebration of what Noam Chomsky called "a glimpse of a future that differs by orders of magnitude from the tendencies inherent in the state capitalist and state socialist societies that exist today." From Thursday, 7 July to Sunday, 10 July , the Freedom Shop will be holding a series of events at 17 Tory St, Te Aro, including: exhibition, film screenings, talks and discussions, books and pamphlets, and more... More details coming soon!

Book review - 'Dear Neil Roberts' by Airini Beautrais

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Maintaining a memory Dear Neil Roberts by Airini Beautrais VUP Press, 2014, ISBN 9780864739735 Reviewed by Ann R Key - review originally published in AARGH! issue 3 I’M NOT from New Zealand, and I'm also not much of a sophisticate when it comes to poetry. I read what I like, skim, or ignore the rest, I can’t really tell you why I like what I do or what is good about it, just that for whatever reason a particular line or idea, mood or thought spoke to me and that was enough. But don’t ask me about structure or form, or poetic traditions because I don’t know. So I might not be the best person to review Airini Beautrais’ new book of poetry, Dear Neil Roberts (Victoria Press, 2014). But I am an anarchist and I have been here in New Zealand long enough that I had been told the story of Neil Roberts before. In case you haven’t, the short version is that on 18 November 1982 anarchist and punk Neil Roberts blew himself up with a bomb he exploded outside the Wanganui Computer Centre. The