Letters

Dear NVT,
We in Lismore were sad to hear that Jerry had to join the Iraq Peace Camp.  It
is a sorry state when anyone is so disturbed by the state of the planet that
they have to leave home, family and work to do such an action.  We give Jerry
all our support and would like to know if $ are needed to help finance his
actions.

I would like to contact anyone interested in CO counselling, production of
leaflets for bases, and outlets around Australia that can offer counselling to
anyone in the armed forces who wants to get out.  I have quite a lot of info
for counselling US military for if and when the ships begin to arrive at our
ports for R & R.  However I can't do it all alone.  Anyone out there
interested in helping?  Remember for but a twist of fate, it could be you in
the armed forces and trying to get out!  They too need our support.  They are
frontline activists for the War that Nobody Joined.

Out local group is working to empower people to resist war in the Gulf.  We
are happy to be listed under your 'contacts':
People for Peace Lismore
C/- Cindy Jordan,
Big Scrub Environment Centre
88a Keen St
Lismore  NSW  2480
Ph. (066) 89 5344 or (066) 21 9569
Cindy Jordan

Dear NVT,
I am now in Australia, and plan to stay here for about one year.

In Switzerland, I worked with the Martin L King Centre from '83 to '88,
Eirene's Swiss Branch from '88 to '90, and Peace Brigades International.  My
first interest in Australia is getting in touch with nonviolent people and
movements, meeting them and trying to create useful contacts between us.

If you have any information on any nonviolence activities in the Sydney area,
especially Sydney RAG, please contact me.
Philippe Beck

Dear NVT,
Your coverage of the Indian Gandhian Dr. K. Arunachalam's visit to Australia
in NVT #18 was most interesting.  (To correct a small point of fact, we did
not invite Dr. Arunachalam, but responded to a request from him for
sponsorship of his entire stay here.)

Dr. Arunachalam states that Gandhi is alive and kicking in India today.  I
agree with this.  Gandhi remains supremely relevant to India and I believe to
the world.  However, my view and that of others I know in India and elsewhere
is that the record of the Gandhian 'movement' in India is, sadly, not
inspiring.  For example, it is highly institutionalised and politicised, with
the senior positions highly coveted.  Some Gandhian institutions appear to
have too much paternalistic an approach to development-oriented constructive
work.  I have observed also that few self-professed Gandhians in India today
commend themselves to the people as Gandhi did through his absolute moral
integrity.

Appearances, and statistics such as those Dr. Arunachalam quoted, do not tell
the full story.  This is the bitter truth of this matter as I understand it.
Stephen Murphy
Secretary, Gandhian Movement of Australia

Dear NVT,
I am organising a conference on Social defence to be held in Ballina NSW, for
a weekend 24-26 May.

We hope to attract people from NSW, Vic and QLD at least.  The cost of the
weekend isn't finalised, but I estimate approximately $80.  Food will be
vegetarian.

Anyone interested in attending please contact me.
Robyn Whyte
Ph. (066) 88 6206
Terania Creek Rd
The Channon  NSW  2480

Dear NVT,
(An Open Letter To Conductors From a Humble Back Desk Viola Player)
Dear Maestro,
Last week, on 26 January, I refused to play Advance Australia and I am writing
to share with you my feelings and reasons why.

I didn't actually come to the rehearsal intending not to play it; if I had I
would have told the conductor and management.  And I still don't know how I
will react next time.  It was, last week, a combination of things.
 
I am a nonviolent activist and have been recently involved in the Gulf Peace
Team Support Group.  I firmly believe that nations and nationalism are part of
the structural violence that contribute to violent conflicts especially war (a
type of violent conflict that occurs between nations).  I love the Earth and I
love the Australian continent as that part of the Earth I know the best but I
don't feel at all attached to the Australian nation.  In fact I see the
Australian nation as something horrific and destructive.  And this leads me to
the most compelling reason for my noncooperation.
 
I no longer view January 26 as 'Australia Day' but as 'Invasion Day', that day
when the Europeans invaded Australia under the pretence or lie of 'Terra
Nullus' - uninhabited land.  What followed was the attempted destruction of
the Aboriginal people of Australia in a most violent and bloody way.  This is
the history of Australia that is mostly unacknowleged by white Australians but
the more I read about it the more I am horrified and the more resolved I am to
take some action to give truth to our history and balance the many present day
and historical injustices against the Koories.  For me playing Advance
Australia on Invasion Day felt obscene.

I hope this in part helps you understand my perspective.

Margaret Pestorius