Commons Social Change Library, RMIT Workers Strike, Indonesia’s Dehumanisation of West Papuans, Disability and Trans Solidarity with Palestine

Thursday Breakfast

Acknowledgement of Country// Headlines// We replay Spike’s conversation from November last year with Iain MacIntyre from the Commons Social Change Library. The Commons Social Change Library is a service that documents the collective wisdom of people who have engaged in social change struggles and campaigns in so-called Australia and the world, and is committed to making that information free and accessible to support the fight against social injustice. Today, we played part one of Spike’s interview with Iain, where they discussed a definition of social change and free and accessible information. They also discussed why documenting struggles helps us achieve social change, and the first steps you can take in a social justice campaign. Listen to part 2 here and part 3 here.// Yesterday, Priya caught up with RMIT NTEU Branch Committee member Liam Ward on the picket to hear about the strike action running this week from Monday 25-Thursday 28 March in the face of management's ongoing delays in negotiating a new enterprise bargaining agreement. RMIT's previous EBA agreement expired over 1000 days ago! We were also joined by rank and file RMIT NTEU member Tami to contextualise this industrial action in relation to worker solidarity with Palestine as Israel escalates its genocidal campaign of bombing and starvation in Gaza. Note: Priya is also an RMIT employee and NTEU member, and has been on strike with colleagues this week - donate to our strike fund here. Your support makes a big difference, especially for precariously employed casual workers at RMIT.// Content note: discussion of racism and torture. Support is available via Lifeline on 13 11 14, or for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Listeners on 13 YARN (13 92 76).Human rights activist and lawyer Veronica Koman spoke with Priya about the systemic dehumanisation of West Papuans by the Indonesian state and military, given the recent circulation of several horrific images and video of the torture of Mr Warinus Murib and several other young West Papuans. By maintaining ambiguity about the legal status of its military occupation of West Papuan territory, the Indonesian state continues to evade and stymie international scrutiny of its violent colonial occupation, while framing all West Papuans subjected to brutality at the hands of soldiers as potential resistance fighters. For the latest news and music from West Papua, make sure to tune into 3CR’s Voice of West Papua show every Tuesday evening from 6:30-7:30PM.// Content note: discussion of genocide and state violence. Support is available via Lifeline on 13 11 14, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners can call 13 YARN (13 92 76), and queer listeners can call QLife on 1800 184 52.We listen back to an interview from 30 November 2023 with independent queer researcher Dr Shoshana Rosenberg, who joined us to talk about disability and trans solidarity with Palestine in the face of Israel's ongoing violent occupation, exploring the connections between disability justice, trans freedom and liberation for Palestine. Shoshana speaks about genocide as a mass disabling event and what it means for disabled folks to engage in solidarity actions across colonial borders and from stolen land in so-called Australia.//