The Comox Valley Peaceful Direct Action Coalition will hold a public meeting and media event this Thursday evening at the Florence Filberg Centre.The coalition is comprised of a variety of local organizations with one common bond. They are all fed up with the lack of accountability by all levels of governments to the citizens they serve."No matter where you turn and no matter what the issue, governments have stopped listening to the people," says Kel Kelly, a spokesperson for the group. "We are coming together to say that the growing partnership between governments and corporations has gotten completely out of hand and is now threatening Canadian democratic life."The group has formed to educate the Comox Valley public on the long and proud history of peaceful direct action, specifically in British Columbia, and on the responsibility of citizens in a democracy to take a strong, peaceful stand against governments when they lose their accountability to the people."It doesn't matter any more whether you are right, left, centre or anywhere else, if you are a "little person" — an average citizen — you have likely been ignored by your government."Whether the issue is environmental protection, preservation of social programs, protection of workers' rights, deciding on where development takes place, ignoring of local plans and neighbourhoods, no one is left believing that government is listening," says Kelly.The coalition believes that the time has come for more peaceful direct action, and has formed to provide interested citizens with information on the subject.The Filberg event will be to release a statement, signed so far by seven Comox Valley organizations, to provide some brief presentations on why the groups have united and to announce a special fall event with a renowned Canadian guest speaker.All Comox Valley residents, and particularly citizens interested in learning more about peaceful direct action are invited to attend at the Evergreen Seniors' Lounge this Thursday at 7:30 p.m.For further information, contact Kel Kelly at 250-337-8348 or e-mail kelkelly55@yahoo.ca.— Comox Valley Peaceful Direct Action Coalition