Dear NvT,
I want to find out what is going on in Australia with regards to nonviolence.
I have seen your magazine and was impressed with it.  I have been studying
and recently doing NVCD here in Ottawa for the past few months.  I am
particularly interested in your approach (from what I understand) of
developing a better understanding between activists and cops.

Anyways, I hope things aren't too cold down there this winter.  Spring should
be well on its way.
Mike Gifford
187 Sunnyside Ave, Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada, K1S OR4
Email: wcswt2@ccs.carleton.ca
Phone: (613) 730 0580



Dear NvT,
In Canada, the Clayoquot valley (Vancouver Island, BC) protests against
logging by MacMillan-Blodell are setting new (Canadian) records for numbers
of arrests, charges laid, etc.  There is also much concern about Mitsubishi
logging in northern Alberta, but it is harder to set up good actions against
them.

I have become active in the civil disobedience (CD) community because I am
disturbed by some of the actions that local groups such as Greenpeace and The
Association for NonViolent Action are holding.  I feel that there needs to be
more discipline and organization in these actions.

About a year ago, a friend started a tenweek introduction to CD.  About
fifteen to twenty-five people have completed it and another class should be
starting next month.  A CD theory/discussion group is forming from the
graduates to continue exploration.  Although I see these as valuable and
necessary steps, I would like to improve upon this beginning.

Here is where I would appreciate your help.  I am hoping that with the
stronger theoretical preparation in the core CD community, that it might be
possible to organize more effective actions in Ottawa.  In reading NvT over
the last few years, I see that CD groups in Australia appear very well
organised.  In particular, I am impressed by the good relations that some
Australian groups seem to have developed with the police.  I would appreciate
it if you could please forward this letter and/or give me postal or email
addresses for leaders and trainers in some of the more successful CD groups.
David Corbett
PO Box 4674, Stn 'E', Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5H8, Canada
Phone: (613) 230 3714
Email: dec@fozzi.ocunix.on.ca