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Showing posts from 2013

December Film Screening

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We're ending the year with a film that is less overtly political and a little more entertaining, but not without a moral or two.... 'What to Do in Case of Fire' In 1987, six young Berlin squatters fight street battles with police, smoke a lot of dope and film themselves making a home-made pressure-cooker bomb. The bomb is a dud and soon forgotten. However, 12 years later it goes off - the group have long since disbanded and some of them are a bit more conservative and traditional than they used to be...       Friday, 20 December Doors open: 6pm Film starts: 6.30pm People's Cinema , 57 Manners St, Wellington Watch the trailer here . Original: Was tun, wenn's brennt. 

December Film Screening

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We're ending the year with a film that is less overtly political and a little more entertaining, but not without a moral or two.... 'What to Do in Case of Fire' In 1987, six young Berlin squatters fight street battles with police, smoke a lot of dope and film themselves making a home-made pressure-cooker bomb. The bomb is a dud and soon forgotten. However, 12 years later it goes off - the group have long since disbanded and some of them are a bit more conservative and traditional than they used to be...       Friday, 20 December Doors open: 6pm Film starts: 6.30pm People's Cinema , 57 Manners St, Wellington Watch the trailer here . Original: Was tun, wenn's brennt. 

Huia Books

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We have a new order of both fiction and non-fiction Huia Books in the Shop available at especially low prices. The books include both the M āori and English editions of 'Maumahara ki tērā Nōema' / 'Remember That November ' - a children's book about the story of the invasion of Parihaka on 5th November 1881. As one young reader put it, “ The book was in two halves. One was about a man called Guy (who had) fireworks. He tried to blow up the king and his men… Part 2: The government tried to take the Maori land. The government won, but MAORI came back and WIN IT BACK. ” We have several others books specifically about Taranaki, including ' Ng ā ti Ruanui: A History ', which Huia say is a 'fascinating, at times chilling, and ultimately inspiring' history of the South Taranaki iwi Ng ā ti Ruanui. The central theme of the book is described as ' the unwavering determination of the Ngāti Ruanui tribe to hold onto their land and their autonomy'. We a

Huia Books

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We have a new order of both fiction and non-fiction Huia Books in the Shop available at especially low prices. The books include both the M āori and English editions of 'Maumahara ki tērā Nōema' / 'Remember That November ' - a children's book about the story of the invasion of Parihaka on 5th November 1881. As one young reader put it, “ The book was in two halves. One was about a man called Guy (who had) fireworks. He tried to blow up the king and his men… Part 2: The government tried to take the Maori land. The government won, but MAORI came back and WIN IT BACK. ” We have several others books specifically about Taranaki, including ' Ng ā ti Ruanui: A History ', which Huia say is a 'fascinating, at times chilling, and ultimately inspiring' history of the South Taranaki iwi Ng ā ti Ruanui. The central theme of the book is described as ' the unwavering determination of the Ngāti Ruanui tribe to hold onto their land and their autonomy'. We

New Books!

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We have just received two cartons of new books at the Freedom Shop. Included amongst the books is just published ' Undoing Border Imperialism ' by Harsha Waila - a book about migration, state control and state violence. In the book Harsha urges people organsing against border imperialism to be aware of the illegal settlement and appropriation of lands throughout time, the book ends with a discussion on decolonisation. More about ' Undoing Border Imperialism ' can be read here . "What I am trying to say is that working in solidarity with someone does not preclude us from, but rather requires us to, challenge behaviors that are sexist, homophobic, or capitalist. This is based on the recognition of one another as changing individuals. It is through these dialogues and demands for accountability that we aim to work toward a world free of oppression, while struggling for all people to live with dignity and safety." - Alex Mah, Excerpt from Undoing Border Imperia

New Books!

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We have just received two cartons of new books at the Freedom Shop. Included amongst the books is just published ' Undoing Border Imperialism ' by Harsha Waila - a book about migration, state control and state violence. In the book Harsha urges people organsing against border imperialism to be aware of the illegal settlement and appropriation of lands throughout time, the book ends with a discussion on decolonisation. More about ' Undoing Border Imperialism ' can be read here . "What I am trying to say is that working in solidarity with someone does not preclude us from, but rather requires us to, challenge behaviors that are sexist, homophobic, or capitalist. This is based on the recognition of one another as changing individuals. It is through these dialogues and demands for accountability that we aim to work toward a world free of oppression, while struggling for all people to live with dignity and safety." - Alex Mah, Excerpt from Undoing Border I

Film Screening: No Advantage

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Film Screening and Discussion on the Bogey of the 'Boat People' People around the world mourned the tragedy of Lampedusa when several hundred people drowned after their boat capsized only a few hundred metres off the coast of the Italian Island. But deaths at sea of people seeking asylum should not be news. Hundreds of people seeking asylum have already drowned in the Mediterranean and hundreds have drowned in the waters between Indonesia and Australia. Just the week before Lampedusa nearly 80 people drowned making the journey to Australia. However, instead of welcoming and assisting refugees, the focus both in Europe and this part of the world is to prevent the arrival of asylum seekers – irrespective of the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees. Australia has a particularly bad record and now has the dubious honour of practising both mandatory detention and mandatory exclusion for all asylum seekers; if the NZ National Government has its way here, we will be following suit and in th

Film Screening: No Advantage

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Film Screening and Discussion on the Bogey of the 'Boat People' People around the world mourned the tragedy of Lampedusa when several hundred people drowned after their boat capsized only a few hundred metres off the coast of the Italian Island. But deaths at sea of people seeking asylum should not be news. Hundreds of people seeking asylum have already drowned in the Mediterranean and hundreds have drowned in the waters between Indonesia and Australia. Just the week before Lampedusa nearly 80 people drowned making the journey to Australia. However, instead of welcoming and assisting refugees, the focus both in Europe and this part of the world is to prevent the arrival of asylum seekers – irrespective of the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees. Australia has a particularly bad record and now has the dubious honour of practising both mandatory detention and mandatory exclusion for all asylum seekers; if the NZ National Government has its way here, we will be following suit and in th

1913 Great Strike

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It is a hundred years since the Great Strike took place and the Labour History Project are coordinating a series of events and lectures in Wellington, including Sunday morning guided walks through downtown Wellington. More details can be found at 1913greatstrike.org The Freedom Shop has several books and zines, both about the Great Strike and the events surrounding it, including Revolution : The 1913 Great Strike in New Zealand.  Edited by Melanie Nolan, Revolution came out of a 2003 conference organised by the then Trade Union History Project to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the strike. Other books and zines of particular interest to those wanting more information about the Great Strike, include Peter Steiner's Industrial Unionism , a pamphlet about the IWW community in New Zealand in the early 1900s, and Jared Davidson's Sewing Freedom: Philip Josephs, Transnationalism & Early New Zealand Anarchism. 

1913 Great Strike

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It is a hundred years since the Great Strike took place and the Labour History Project are coordinating a series of events and lectures in Wellington, including Sunday morning guided walks through downtown Wellington. More details can be found at 1913greatstrike.org The Freedom Shop has several books and zines, both about the Great Strike and the events surrounding it, including Revolution : The 1913 Great Strike in New Zealand.  Edited by Melanie Nolan, Revolution came out of a 2003 conference organised by the then Trade Union History Project to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the strike. Other books and zines of particular interest to those wanting more information about the Great Strike, include Peter Steiner's Industrial Unionism , a pamphlet about the IWW community in New Zealand in the early 1900s, and Jared Davidson's Sewing Freedom: Philip Josephs, Transnationalism & Early New Zealand Anarchism. 

Film Screening in Support of Marie Mason

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Wellington people are showing a screening of 'If a Tree Falls' in support of Marie Mason, an imprisoned activist in the United States. The film will be shown at: the People's Cinema on on Friday, 25 October 2013 at 6.30pm . "Our world is faced with some tremendous problems: climate change, war, racism, sexism, colonialism, pollution, deforestation, genetic engineering, corporate exploitation...the list could go on and on. There are millions of people who have taken action to stop these in-justices and bring about a better world. Many of them are sitting in prisons serving long and difficult sentences for standing up for their belief in justice, their desire to stop a wrong or for daring to fight back against systematic oppression and exploitation. From the United States, to Russia to New Zealand and everywhere in between, political prisoners, those who have been imprisoned for holding, advocating or acting on dissenting political views, are with us and are part of

Film Screening in Support of Marie Mason

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Wellington people are showing a screening of 'If a Tree Falls' in support of Marie Mason, an imprisoned activist in the United States. The film will be shown at: the People's Cinema on on Friday, 25 October 2013 at 6.30pm . "Our world is faced with some tremendous problems: climate change, war, racism, sexism, colonialism, pollution, deforestation, genetic engineering, corporate exploitation...the list could go on and on. There are millions of people who have taken action to stop these in-justices and bring about a better world. Many of them are sitting in prisons serving long and difficult sentences for standing up for their belief in justice, their desire to stop a wrong or for daring to fight back against systematic oppression and exploitation. From the United States, to Russia to New Zealand and everywhere in between, political prisoners, those who have been imprisoned for holding, advocating or acting on dissenting political views, are with us and ar

Reds & Wobblies - a talk by Jared Davidson

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On Tuesday, October 22, at 5.30pm at the National Library, corner Molesworth & Aitken St, Wgtn, as part of the centenary of the 1913 Great Strike, Jared Davidson is giving a talk on working-class radicalism and the state between 1915 and 1925 . It was during these years that the NZ Government enforced a strict censorship regime to fight what they perceived as the threat of political and industrial unrest. The mail, literature, and speeches of radicals – especially the Industrial Workers of the World (known as the Wobblies) – came under state scrutiny, and led to raids, arrests, and deportation of those deemed seditious. The talk by Jared will ‘Reds & Wobblies’ highlight the actions of a government fearful of social revolution in a time of worldwide turbulence, and discuss the working-class radicalism that caused such fears – from IWW stickers to the deportation of Noel Lyons. Jared is the author of two books stocked by the Freedom Shop: 'Sewing Freedom' and 'Remains

Reds & Wobblies - a talk by Jared Davidson

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On Tuesday, October 22, at 5.30pm at the National Library, corner Molesworth & Aitken St, Wgtn, as part of the centenary of the 1913 Great Strike, Jared Davidson is giving a talk on working-class radicalism and the state between 1915 and 1925 . It was during these years that the NZ Government enforced a strict censorship regime to fight what they perceived as the threat of political and industrial unrest. The mail, literature, and speeches of radicals – especially the Industrial Workers of the World (known as the Wobblies) – came under state scrutiny, and led to raids, arrests, and deportation of those deemed seditious. The talk by Jared will ‘Reds & Wobblies’ highlight the actions of a government fearful of social revolution in a time of worldwide turbulence, and discuss the working-class radicalism that caused such fears – from IWW stickers to the deportation of Noel Lyons. Jared is the author of two books stocked by the Freedom Shop: 'Sewing Freedom' and 'Remai

Film Screening: The Wobblies

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"Fire Your Boss!"... "Abolish the wage system!" On the centenary of the Great Strike of 1913, we invite you to listen to the voices of the ' Industrial Workers of the World ' . Started in 1905 under the motto “ an injury to one is an injury to all ” , the IWW was the only union open to all trades and to men and to women; and the only union (past and present) to state “ it is the historic mission of the working class to do away with capitalism. ”    An IWW branch was established in Wellington in 1907, and IWW members were involved in many of the early militant labour unions and struggles here , including the Great Strike. The Wobblies (1979; Stewart Bird, Deborah Shaffer) provides an overview of the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World), complete with archival footage, loads of interviews, Wobbly art and songs . Further information about events organised in Wellington to mark the 1913 Great Strike can be found here: http://1913greatstrike.org/ When: Frid

Film Screening: The Wobblies

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"Fire Your Boss!"... "Abolish the wage system!" On the centenary of the Great Strike of 1913, we invite you to listen to the voices of the ' Industrial Workers of the World ' . Started in 1905 under the motto “ an injury to one is an injury to all ” , the IWW was the only union open to all trades and to men and to women; and the only union (past and present) to state “ it is the historic mission of the working class to do away with capitalism. ”    An IWW branch was established in Wellington in 1907, and IWW members were involved in many of the early militant labour unions and struggles here , including the Great Strike. The Wobblies (1979; Stewart Bird, Deborah Shaffer) provides an overview of the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World), complete with archival footage, loads of interviews, Wobbly art and songs . Further information about events organised in Wellington to mark the 1913 Great Strike can be found here: http://1913greatstrike.org/ Wh

imminent rebellion

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The latest edition of 'imminent rebellion' is here.   Imminent Rebellion is an irregular anarchist journal published by Rebel Press . This issue includes: ‘Pirates’ vs Pirates: Somalia through the eyes of a German court  Lizard’s Revenge - action against BHP's uranium mine at Olympic Dam in South Australia Loomio: Making self-organised governance convenient The Trial - a description of the 'Urewera 4' trial Never Ceded: An interview with Marianne Mackay Hot and Hotter: The Sex Worker Freedom Festival Up a Mighty River Without a Paddle Unpicking Arcadia: Philip Josephs and early NZ anarchism An Interview with the Kurdish Anarchist Forum The Aftermath: The fight to save Glen Innes

imminent rebellion

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The latest edition of 'imminent rebellion' is here.   Imminent Rebellion is an irregular anarchist journal published by Rebel Press . This issue includes: ‘Pirates’ vs Pirates: Somalia through the eyes of a German court  Lizard’s Revenge - action against BHP's uranium mine at Olympic Dam in South Australia Loomio: Making self-organised governance convenient The Trial - a description of the 'Urewera 4' trial Never Ceded: An interview with Marianne Mackay Hot and Hotter: The Sex Worker Freedom Festival Up a Mighty River Without a Paddle Unpicking Arcadia: Philip Josephs and early NZ anarchism An Interview with the Kurdish Anarchist Forum The Aftermath: The fight to save Glen Innes

New books from Huia

We have a few new books from Huia Publishers at special prices: At the Heart of Hiruharama by Isabel Waiti-Mulholland Ngati Ruanui: A History by Tony Sole Ocean Roads by James George  The Beating Heart: A Political and Socio-economic History of Te Arawa by Vincent O Malley The Smell of the Moon by Mark Kneubuhl Te Wiremuu - Henry WIlliams: Early Years in the North by Caroline Fitzgerald Wiremu Tamihana by Evelyn Stokes Zhu Mao by Mark Sweet

New books from Huia

We have a few new books from Huia Publishers at special prices: At the Heart of Hiruharama by Isabel Waiti-Mulholland Ngati Ruanui: A History by Tony Sole Ocean Roads by James George  The Beating Heart: A Political and Socio-economic History of Te Arawa by Vincent O Malley The Smell of the Moon by Mark Kneubuhl Te Wiremuu - Henry WIlliams: Early Years in the North by Caroline Fitzgerald Wiremu Tamihana by Evelyn Stokes Zhu Mao by Mark Sweet

Film screening: The Coconut Revolution

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Mining and drilling is experiencing a resurgence with plans for more open cast mines and deep sea oil drilling rearing their ugly heads. Join us to see a film that tells a story of resistance against Rio Tinto, one of the world’s biggest mining companies. The Coconut Revolution is the story of the extraordinary struggle of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army for their land, their culture and their independence – against an overwhelming Papua New Guinea army, backed by the Australian government and the billions of Rio Tinto. Friday, 20 September 2013, 6:30pm at the People’s Cinema, 57 Manners St, Wellington

Film screening: The Coconut Revolution

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Mining and drilling is experiencing a resurgence with plans for more open cast mines and deep sea oil drilling rearing their ugly heads. Join us to see a film that tells a story of resistance against Rio Tinto, one of the world’s biggest mining companies. The Coconut Revolution is the story of the extraordinary struggle of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army for their land, their culture and their independence – against an overwhelming Papua New Guinea army, backed by the Australian government and the billions of Rio Tinto. Friday, 20 September 2013, 6:30pm at the People’s Cinema, 57 Manners St, Wellington

'Rebellion' Postponed - for now

The screening of 'Rebellion' was postponed due to the earthquake - we will be re-scheduling it and will let people know of the new date. In the meantime, if people know of any videos or documentaries that they would like to see, send us an email at the_freedom_shop@yahoo.com or pop into the Shop and have a talk with one of us. The opening hours are listed to the right of this page.

'Rebellion' Postponed - for now

The screening of 'Rebellion' was postponed due to the earthquake - we will be re-scheduling it and will let people know of the new date. In the meantime, if people know of any videos or documentaries that they would like to see, send us an email at the_freedom_shop@yahoo.com or pop into the Shop and have a talk with one of us. The opening hours are listed to the right of this page.

Film Screening: Rebellion

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Rebellion (Original: L'Ordre et la Morale) Mathieu Kassovitz says his first film La Haine was about police brutality, while Rebellion is about government brutality. “It’s April 1988 on the Ouvéa Island in the French colony of New Caledonia. 30 police are kidnapped by Kanak separatists and in response 300 special-forces operatives are sent in to restore order. To avoid unnecessary conflict, Philippe Legorjus (Mathieu Kassovitz), the captain of an elite counter-terrorism police unit, is sent in to the heart of the rebel base to negotiate a peaceful solution. But against the highly pressured backdrop of presidential elections in France, the stakes are high and all bets are off. Mathieu Kassovitz (La Haine) makes a powerful comeback in front of and behind the camera with this violent thriller, based on true events.” Craig Grobler, The EstablishingShot . Friday, 16 August 2013, 6:30pm at the People’s Cinema, 57 Manners St.

Film Screening: Rebellion

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Rebellion (Original: L'Ordre et la Morale) Mathieu Kassovitz says his first film La Haine was about police brutality, while Rebellion is about government brutality. “It’s April 1988 on the Ouvéa Island in the French colony of New Caledonia. 30 police are kidnapped by Kanak separatists and in response 300 special-forces operatives are sent in to restore order. To avoid unnecessary conflict, Philippe Legorjus (Mathieu Kassovitz), the captain of an elite counter-terrorism police unit, is sent in to the heart of the rebel base to negotiate a peaceful solution. But against the highly pressured backdrop of presidential elections in France, the stakes are high and all bets are off. Mathieu Kassovitz (La Haine) makes a powerful comeback in front of and behind the camera with this violent thriller, based on true events.” Craig Grobler, The EstablishingShot . Friday, 16 August 2013, 6:30pm at the People’s Cinema, 57 Manners St.

Film Screening: Living Utopia

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Living Utopia (Original, 1997: Vivir la utopía. El anarquismo en Espana) Escape the cold Wellington winter and join us to remember one of the great moments of working class history, the sunny days of July 1936 when ordinary Spaniards seized control of their lives, fought fascism and demonstrated how pleasant life could be when capitalism and the state are consigned to the dustbin. What: Living Utopia: Anarchism in Spain When: Friday 19 July 2013 Where: People’s Cinema, 57 Manners St, (across the road from McDonalds), Wellington Time: 6:30 pm