Melbourne, Victoria
Solidarity Salon, the home of Radical Women and the Freedom Socialist Party in Melbourne, hosts a bookstore, kitchen, offices and public events like the one pictured above.
For information on how to rent the salon call: 9388-0062.
See larger imagePublic hours at Solidarity Salon Tuesday 9 am - 2 pm Friday 9 am - 4 pm Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
Study Groups Events Saturday, 4 July, 6.30 pm
Special documentary screening and forum—
On the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall: Fan liberation’s embers!
Arthur Dong’s Outrage ’69 captures the heady early days of queer liberation and the efforts to build a multi-issue, multi-racial, militant struggle. Hear Graham Willett, historian and President of the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives, and Alison Thorne, veteran lesbian/gay/bi/transgender/intersex/queer rights warrior.In May 2009, protests broke out across the United States as soon as the California Supreme Court upheld the ban on same-sex marriage. The spirit of the Stonewall Riot, which sparked the international gay rights movement 40 years ago, returned to the streets. Queers again are saying, “We’re not going to take it anymore!” Share your thoughts about how to strengthen today’s movement for queer equality.
A New York dinner, with vegetarian option, will be served at 6.30pm. The program starts at 7.30 pm. The event will be held at Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Road, Brunswick. Take the Upfield train to Anstey Station or #19 tram to Blyth Street. Free parking at the rear, off Staley Street.
This event is a benefit of Radical Women’s $45,000 international Fund Drive to implement the decisions of Radical Women’s 41st anniversary conference. $12.00 donation for dinner and program, $5.00 for program only.
Everyone is welcome! For information, phone 03-9388-0062 or email radicalwomen@optusnet.com.au
Freedom Socialist Party
Thursday, 25 June, 6:30pm
Freedom Socialist Party meeting on
Leon Trotsky: His political legacy and importance today
Join us for a discussion of the life and ideas of Russian Revolutionary leader, Leon Trotsky. We’ll screen a 1986 documentary by French filmmakers, Alain Dugrand and Patrick Le Gall. We’ll also examine the history and significance of the Russian Revolution, Trotsky’s political relationship with Lenin, the key elements of Trotskyist theory, and Trotsky’s international leadership of the fight against the counterrevolutionary Soviet bureaucracy. This meeting will interest those new to Trotsky’s ideas and those who already appreciate the significance of his contributions.A hearty dinner will be served at 6:30pm for a $7 donation.
The event will be held at Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Road, Brunswick. Easily accessible by public transport: take the Upfield train to Anstey Station or Tram 19 to Stewart St. There’s also plenty of parking off Staley Street at the rear.
Everyone is welcome! For more information, phone 03-9388-0062 or email freedom.socialist.party@ozemail.com.au.
Radical Women
Saturday, 13 June, 6:30pm
Celebrate World Environment Day with Radical Women at the Premier Melbourne screening of Rachel Carson Returns
Lilith Lynn Rogers introduces us to the life and words of one of the most important writers and environmental campaigners of our time. In this one-woman show, Rogers becomes Rachel Carson and guides us through the challenging journey Carson took to produce her groundbreaking and eye-opening 1962 book, Silent Spring.There is now more need than ever to unite to save our planet. Determined to do her part, Lilith Lynn Rogers spent years absorbing the lessons of Rachel Carson’s struggle. Rogers is a feminist, lesbian, activist, writer and organic gardener, who created this performance to educate, entertain and motivate her audience to take action.
As Rachel Carson says at the end of Silent Spring, “The choice, after all, is ours to make. If, after having endured much, we have at last asserted our ‘right to know,’ we should look about and see what other course is open to us.”
A traditional Tamil dinner served at 6:30 pm and the film screens at 7:30 pm. Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Road, Brunswick. Take the Upfield train to Anstey Station or 19 tram to Stewart Street. Free parking at the rear, off Staley Street.
This event is a benefit for Radical Women’s $40,000 International Fund Drive to implement the decisions of Radical Women’s 41st anniversary conference. $12 donation for dinner and film, $5 for film only.
Everyone is welcome! • For information, phone 03-9388-0062 or email radicalwomen@optusnet.com.au
Thursday, 28 May, 7.00 pm
Panel discussion on Reproductive rights are workers’ rights.
There’s power in the union to win them!
Speakers are: Linda Marcolin, secondary school teacher, member of the Australian Education Union and sole parent of two young children; Samantha Bond, training and education officer for the Australian Workers Union, longtime community activist and single mum; Daniella Olea, former childcare worker and organiser for the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union and currently a high school teacher, and Debbie Brennan, workplace delegate for the Australian Services Union and veteran reproductive rights campaigner.The Rudd government’s long-awaited paid maternity leave scheme turns out to be a welfare payment—not a workplace entitlement—and working women won’t even be able to get that until 2011. Despite the collapse of ABC Learning, childcare remains in the hands of profiteers and out of reach for many parents. Abortion decriminalisation is under attack by a right wing determined to keep women “in their place.” An economy incapable of guaranteeing decent education and healthcare, jobs, housing, secure retirement, essential services or a safe planet is dumping the heaviest burden of its crisis onto women. More than ever, the failing profit system needs them to breed and care for its labour force, all for free.
Come with your views about how working people can organise in our unions and communities to secure these rights and win full reproductive justice for women.
Enjoy a hearty dinner, catering for vegetarians, served at 6.30 pm for a $7.00 donation. Take the Upfield train to Anstey Station or #19 tram to Blyth Street. There is plenty of parking off Staley Street.
For information, phone 03-9388-0062 or email radicalwomen@optusnet.com.au
Freedom Socialist Party
Freedom Socialist Party meeting
Thursday, 21 May, 6:30pm
The ABCs of Marx’s Capital
Every day when you go to work, your labour creates wealth, but you’re still broke. Why? Karl Marx answers that question in Capital, a book that demystifies capitalist economics. Sales of this classic work are at an all-time high as people around the globe seek to understand the reasons for the current financial crisis.The meeting will feature a multi-media overview presentation of how Marx’s ideas are relevant today, including an animated short called Marx for Beginners, based on the book by Mexican cartoonist Rius.
Hearty dinner served at 6:30 pm for a $7 donation.
The event will be held at Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Road, Brunswick. Easily accessible by public transport: take the Upfield train to Anstey Station or Tram 19 to Stewart St. There’s also plenty of parking off Staley Street at the rear.
For more information, phone 03-9388-0062 or email freedom.socialist.party@ozemail.com.au. Everyone is welcome!
Saturday, 2 May, 6:30pm
May Day Film Screening and Celebration
Salt of the Earth: An inspirational movie classic with lessons for tough times
This film tells the story of the Empire Zinc mine strike—one of the most dramatic international union struggles of the McCarthy years. The strike, by Mexican-American miners, started over wages and conditions that were clearly discriminatory compared to Anglo miners in New Mexico. Radical leadership, multi-racial solidarity and the power of women who broke with traditional sex roles were key to the victory of the strike. Two years after the hard fought 17-month battle ended, the story was brought to life in Salt of the Earth, an extraordinary feature film that unforgettably portrays the racism against the miners, the picket line battles and the dynamic leadership of the women. It was made by an independent company of blacklisted Hollywood filmmakers and actors who worked in conjunction with the mineworkers’ union. Denounced as subversive, its makers were harassed and the lead actor—Rosaura Revueltas—was deported to Mexico. Cinemas across the country banned Salt of the Earth. Despite this, the film became an underground classic embraced by the Women’s Liberation movement and chosen by The Library of Congress as one of the 100 American films to be preserved for posterity.Come and be inspired by this story of struggle against racism, sexism and class exploitation on the big screen at Solidarity Salon. Then discuss the movie with like-minded moviegoers and explore lessons for today.
A New Mexico strike kitchen dinner will be served at 6:30 pm for a $10 donation. Program commences at 7:30pm at Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Road, Brunswick. Easily accessible by public transport: take the Upfield train to Anstey Station or Tram 19 to Stewart St. There’s also plenty of parking off Staley Street at the rear.
For more information, phone 03-9388-0062 or email freedom.socialist.party@ozemail.com.au. Everyone is welcome!
Radical Women
Thursday, 23 April, 7.00 pm
Stop Sri Lanka’s Genocide of the Tamil People: Hear young Tamils speak
Since January 2009, more than 2,000 Tamils have been killed and 7,000 wounded by Sri Lankan troops. More than 200,000 are trapped inside a barren and shadeless 12-kilometre strip of land, without drinking water. Food and medicines are not allowed in. Forced hysterectomies and abortions of Tamil women make the genocidal aim of the Sri Lankan government’s offensive unmistakable. This is another Gaza, but concealed from world view.For the past half century, the Sri Lankan state has persecuted the Tamil people, and over the past 25 years has carried out a military campaign to drive them from their homeland, Tamil Eelam, in the country’s north and east. Because of the area’s strategic importance, global and regional powers — including the United States, Israel, Pakistan and India — have backed this brutal offensive. In an effort to demonise and isolate the Tamils’ just resistance, the U.S. and European Union listed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a terrorist organisation.
Hear from the Tamil community about this important freedom struggle. Come and show solidarity by learning about and uncovering the hidden war. Bring your ideas about what we can do to help bring it to an end.
A scrumptious dinner, catering for vegetarians, will be served at 6.30 pm for a $7.00 donation. Take the Upfield train to Anstey Station or #19 tram to Blyth Street. There is plenty of parking off Staley Street.
For information, phone 03-9388-0062 or email radicalwomen@optusnet.com.au
Radical Women Study Circle
Tuesdays, 25 March – 15 April, 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm
Women Workers: Igniting Union Militancy!Victoria’s nurses, health workers and teachers are showing the exceptional power that women bring to unionism. Howard’s, and now Rudd’s, anti-union laws have struck a rock!
Over four weekly sessions, participants will discuss the sexist basis for women’s special exploitation as workers, some of the hidden history of women’s militancy, and how women are strategically placed in capitalist production to bring the system to its knees.
The sessions will be held at The Elms Family Hotel, 269 Spring Street (near Little Lonsdale Street), Melbourne.
To find out more about the events, or to express your interest, please phone 03-9388-0062 or email Everyone is welcome!
Freedom Socialist Party
Alternate Thursdays, 19 March-30 April, 7:00 pm
Study circle on
Nationalisation under workers’ control: the socialist cure to the capitalist crisis
The global economy is in freefall. Every day, thousands of jobs are disappearing and retirees’ life savings continue to evaporate. In our last discussion group, we looked at the reason for the meltdown. Rather than an aberration, we concluded that what we are living through is part of the predictable dance of the capitalist system itself. Through this study circle, we’ll read and discuss some classic Marxist texts which focus on solutions. We’ll explore how these ideas might apply today.Sessions will be held alternate Thursday evenings. Readings are available via web links or in hard copy format. Call or email for copies. Everyone is welcome, from those convinced that socialism offers the way forward to those new to socialist ideas or simply curious.
Thursday, 19 March: Socialist solutions to the economic crisis
Thursday, 2 April: The class content of workers’ control
Thursday, 16 April: How to nationalise the banks
Thursday, 30 April: Working people can run the world!A delicious dinner will be available at 6:30pm for a $7 donation. Discussions will be held at Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Road, Brunswick. Easily accessible by public transport: take the Upfield train to Anstey Station or Tram 19 to Stewart St. There’s also plenty of parking off Staley Street at the rear.
For more information, to express your interest or to get reading materials, please phone 03-9388-0062 or email freedom.socialist.party@ozemail.com.au Everyone is welcome!
