Zapatistas Festival of Digna Rabia, Mexico City, Dec. 2008

COMMUNIQUÉ FROM THE INDIGENOUS REVOLUTIONARY CLANDESTINE COMMITTEE—GENERAL COMMAND OF THE ZAPATISTA ARMY FOR NATIONAL LIBERATION
MEXICO
Sixth Commission and Intergalactic Commission of the EZLN26th of November 2008.
To the adherents to the Sixth Declaration from the Lacandona Jungle in Mexico and in the world:
To the guests of the First World Festival of the “Digna Rabia”:
To the people of Mexico:
To the peoples of the world:

COMPAÑERAS AND COMPAÑEROS:
BROTHERS AND SISTERS:
ON THIS OCATION WE TELL YOU OUR WORD ON THE ADVANCES FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE FIRST WORLD FESTIVAL OF THE DIGNA RABIA.
FIRST. - UP UNTIL TODAY, WE HAVE THE CONFIRMATION OF ATTENDANCE FROM PEOPLE, GROUPS, COLLECTIVES AND ORGANIZATIONS, ASIDE FROM MEXICO, FROM THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES:
IRAN. ARGENTINA. ITALY. FRANCE. UNITED STATES. BRAZIL. SWEDEN. COSTA RICA.
SPANISH STATE. SWITZERLAND. BASQUE COUNTRY. CUBA. CHILE. ENGLAND. AUSTRIA. VENEZUELA. BELGIUM. GERMANY. NORWAY. GREECE.

SECOND. - FROM OUR COUNTRY, MEXICO, COMPAÑERAS AND COMPAÑEROS FROM THE OTHER CAMPAIGN, FROM WITHIN THE DIFFERENT STATES OF THE REPUBLIC WHICH WORK ON ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION MEDIA, HUMAN RIGHTS DEFFENCE, IN SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES, AGAINST REPRESSION, FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THE DISSPAPPEARED, FOR THE LIBERATION OF THE POLITICAL PRISONERS, IN SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS, IN ART AND CULTURE, IN UNIONS, IN WOMEN’S STRUGGLE, WITH THE MAQUILA WORKERS, IN THE CORNERS OF THE NORTHERN MEXICO, IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL STRUGGLE, IN SEXUAL DIVERSITY, IN THE TEACHER’S MOVEMENT, IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, WITH THE SEXUAL WORKERS, AND THE OUTSTANDING STRUGGLE OF THE NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MOVEMENT WILL BE ATTENDING.

THIRD. - DURING THE DAYS IN WHICH THE FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD IN MEXICO CITY (26th, 27th, 28th AND 29th OF DECEMBER) SOME OF THE PROGRAMMED ACTIVITIES ARE:
26th of December 2008.
1000 hrs. INAUGURATION.
1100 hrs. The Four Wheels of Capitalism: EXPLOITATION. Open forum with the participation of maquila workers from Baja California and Tamaulipas, the National Confederation of Workers (CGT from the Spanish State), workers from Solano (Argentina) and workers from the Middle East (Iran), as well as those workers who wish to participate and who let us know in advance.
Moderator: Multidisciplinary Analysis Centre (CAM, UNAM, Mexico).
1700 hrs. The Other Paths: ANOTHER CITY. Open forum with the participation of the National Union of Popular Organizations from the Independent Left (UNOPII Mexico), the Workers and Socialist Unity (UNÍOS Mexico), young people from anarchist, punk, and libertarian collectives (Mexico). Street Brigade (Brigada Callejera Mexico), as well as those who struggle in the cities who wish to participate and who let us know in advance.
Moderator: UNOPII (Mexico).
27th of December 2008.
1100 hrs. The Four Wheels of Capitalism: PLUNDER. Open forum with the participation of the National Indigenous Congress (CNI Mexico), dwellers of Lomas de Poleo (Ciudad Juárez) (Mexico), Indigenous Cabildos Association from the North of the Cauca (Colombia), as well as those who have a say on capitalist plunder who wish to participate and who let us know in advance.
Moderator: Bárbara Zamora (Mexico).
1700 hrs. The Other Paths: OTHER SOCIAL MOVEMENTS. Open forum with the CNUC -Tlaxcala (Mexico), Indigenous Chinanteca Force (Fuerza Indígena Chinanteca Mexico), People’s Front (Frente del Pueblo Mexico), Blanca Navidad Neighbourhood, of Nuevo Laredo (Mexico), Independent Francisco Villa Popular Front (FPFVI Mexico), CACTO-Oaxaca (Mexico).
Moderator: CNI (Mexico).
28th of December 2008
1100 hrs. The Four Wheels of Capitalism: REPRESSION. Open forum with the Doñas of Sinaloa and Chihuahua (Mexico), message from the Atenco political prisoners (Mexico), recorded message from Gloria Arenas, political prisoner (Mexico), We are all prisoners collective (Tod@s somos Pres@s (Mexico), National Network against Repression and for Solidarity (Red Nacional contra la Represión y por la Solidaridad (Mexico), and Bárbara Zamora (Mexico).
Moderator: UNÍOS (Mexico).
1700 hrs. The Other Paths: ANOTHER HISTORY, OTHER POLITICS. Roundtable with the participation of John Holloway, Felipe Echenique (Mexico), Francisco Pineda (Mexico), Raúl Zibechi (Uruguay), Olivier Besacenot (France), Mónica Baltodano (Nicaragua), Sergio Rodríguez Lascano (Mexico).
Moderator: Revista Rebeldía (Mexico).
29th of December 2008.
1100 hrs. The Four Wheels of Capitalism: CONTEMPT. Open forum with the Anarcho-Punk Collective La KURVA (Mexico), National Indigenous Congress (Mexico), Braceros National Assembly (Mexico), Mercedes Oliveira (Mexico).
Moderator: CNI (Mexico).
FOURTH. - FOR THE SERIES OF MAGISTRAL CONFERENCES WHICH WILL BE CELEBRATED IN SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, CHIAPAS, FROM THE 2nd TO THE 5th OF JANUARY 2009, THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE HAVE CONFIRMED THEIR PARTICIPATION:
Adolfo Gilly (Mexico) Pablo Gonzalez Casanova (Mexico) Monica Baltodano (Nicaragua).
Luis Villoro (Mexico) Oscar Olivera (Bolivia). Michael Hardt (USA) Walter Mignolo (Argentina) Pier Luigi Sullo (Italy) Sylvia Marcos (Mexico) Jotxe Iriarte (Basque Country). Paulina Fernandez (Mexico) Marcos Roitman (Chile-Spanish State) Gustavo Esteva (Mexico) Jean Robert (Switzerland) Arundhati Roy (India) (who will send her participation) Barbara Zamora (Mexico) Carlos Aguirre Rojas (Mexico) Raul Zibechi (Uruguay) Carlos Gonzalez –CNI- (Mexico) Juan Chavez –CNI- (Mexico) John Berger (England) (who will send his participation)
Olivier Bensacenot (France) Jaime Pastor (Spanish State) Landless workers movement-MST (Brazil) Sergio Rodriguez Lazcano (Mexico) Via Campesina (International).
FIFTH. - ON BEHALF OF THE EZLN, THE FOLLOWING COMPAÑEROS HAVE CONFIRMED THEIR PARTICIPATION AS MODERATORS OR PARTICIPANTS (or just to be a pain -if you know who I mean-) AT THE CONFERENCES IN CHIAPAS:
COMANDANTA SUSANA. COMANDANTA MIRIAM. COMANDANTA HORTENSIA.
COMANDANTA FLORENCIA. COMANDANTA EVERILDA. COMANDANTE DAVID. COMANDANTE ZEBEDEO. COMANDANTE TACHO. COMANDANTE GUILLERMO
TENIENTE CORONEL INSURGENTE MOISÉS. CAPITANA INSURGENTE ELENA. NIÑA LUPITA. NIÑA TOÑITA.
SIXTH. - FOR THE INVITATIONS WE HAVE PROCEEDED WITH THE DATA WE HAVE FROM THE ADHERANTS TO THE SIXTH DECLARATION, THE CONTACTS MADE DURING THE OTHER CAMPAIGN TOUR AND THE DIRECTORIES OF ATTENDANCE TO THE DIFFERENT EZLN’S PUBLIC ACTIVITIES. IF ANY PERSON, GROUP, COLLECTIVE OR ORGANIZATION, FROM MEXICO OR THE WORLD, HAS NOT BEEN INVITED, IT IS SURELY BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE THEIR DATA. SO WE RESPECTUFULY ASK THAT YOU EXCUSE THIS INABILITY OF OURS AND THAT YOU MAKE CONTACT WITH THE ENLACE ZAPATISTA WEB PAGE AT THE CORRESPONDING FESTIVAL-MUNDIAL-DE-LA-DIGNA-RABIA SECTION.
SEVENTH. - WE CLARIFY THAT THE INVITATIONS ARE TO PARTICIPATE AS EXPOSITORS. THE ENTRY TO ALL THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FESTIVAL ARE FREE AND OPEN FOR ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO ATTEND AND GET TO KNOW THE DIGNA RABIA THAT ORGANIZES ITSELF IN MEXICO AND IN THE WORLD.
SOME TECHNICAL AND PROCEDURAL DETAILS WILL BE MADE KNOWN BY THE FESTIVAL’S ORGANIZATIVE SUPPORT TEAM, AT THE ENLACE ZAPATISTA WEB PAGE AT THE CORRESPONDING FESTIVAL-MUNDIAL-DE-LA-DIGNA-RABIA SECTION.
THAT IS ALL FOR NOW, WE WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED.
¡FREEDOM AND JUSTICE FOR ATENCO!
From the Mexican South-eastern Mountains.
Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos.
EZLN’s Sixth Commission
Teniente Coronel Insurgente Moisés.
EZLN’s Intergalactic Commission
Mexico, November 2008.

Vernon Masayesva: Black Mesa threatened at time of Hopi ceremonies

Black Mesa Trust
By Vernon Masayesva
Black Mesa Trust

KYKOTSMOVI, Ariz., -- Dec. 16 -- Today Hopi priests and elders are in their kivas praying that harmony and peace may come to all the world’s children.
December is the month of Soyalung on the Hopi mesas in northern Arizona; it is a time of reverence, prayer, quiet reflection. For all peoples, much depends on the Soyalung ceremonies being conducted properly. But this year the Hopi people are confronted with a serious and unnecessary challenge to their ancient religion and culture.
In Denver and Washington, and the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is about to announce a decision that will impact their natural resources for many years to come.
On December 15, 2008, OSM is ready to issue a decision allowing the Black Mesa Project to go forward as requested by Peabody Western Coal Co, a subsidiary of Peabody Energy. The decision would commit Hopi natural resources for an additional 15 more years. It would continue to put a risk the N-aquifer that feeds Hopi and Navajo sacred springs and provides the sole source of potable groundwater for the peoples of Black Mesa.
It will put at risk the destruction of hundreds of archaeological sites, our ancestral villages, and human remains. I do not believe Secretary of Interior Kempthorne knows the implications of what OSM is doing regarding the federal government interference with an ancient religious ceremony.
During this month when both Hopis and Christians observe the renewal of spirit and harmony that comes with the renewal of light in late December, OSM is disturbing both religious calendars by promising to issue a very controversial Record of Decision in the middle of Soyalung, Juewish Chanukah festivities and just 10 days before Christmas.
Secretary Kempthorne should direct OSM to delay issuing the Record of Decision on the Environmental Impact Statement of the Black Mesa Project until the end of December for the sake ofall peoples, the beneficiaries of Hopi prayers and ceremonies.
The unprecedented number of Hopi and Tewa people have signed a petition urging OSM to suspend the EIS to allow them time to study and analyze the Peabody Mine application but to no avail.
Vernon Masayesva Executive director, Black Mesa Trust P.O. Box 33 Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039 E-mail: kuuyi@aol.com

Related news ...

West Virginia Citizens join with Navajo & Hopi Tribal Leaders and Community Members to Protest Office of Surface Mining

Special to Huntingtonnews.net

From Black Mesa Water Coalition Charleston, WV and Denver, CO (HNN) – Citizens in West Virginia and the Navajo and Hopi in Arizona and New Mexico have more in common than they once thought. Both areas are dealing with loss of water, land and cultural resources as a result of surface mining, and both are frustrated with the systemic lack of enforcement and lack of citizen involvement from the federal government. "When we met with folks from the Navajo community out west, we realized we are having the same problems," said Vernon Haltom of Coal River Mountain Watch. "They are struggling with bad water, loss of culture and heritage, and systemic apathy from government agencies." The issue these groups are responding to is a rushed "midnight regulation" from the Department of the Interior may be issued in favor of Peabody Coal, and the affected Navajo and Hopi people of Black Mesa are trying to stop it. A large delegation has traveled to Denver to meet with top officials in the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) and hold a press conference and rally in downtown Denver to protest the pending decision, which will grant the coal company a "life-of-mine" permit, expanded mining operations and rights to tap the fresh water of the Navajo aquifer.

Read more ...

http://www.huntingtonnews.net/state/081214-staff-statesurfacemining.html

Western Shoshone Spiritual Gathering, Mount Tenabo, Dec. 7, 2008

 Mount Tenabo at the spiritual gathering December 7, 2008. "This mountain is the landmark for the Western Shoshone Indians. In their native language Tenabo, which is pronounced as (dee-na-bo), means writing on the mountain. This mountain is the home to local Shoshone creation stories, spirit life, medicinal, food and ceremonial plants and items and continues to be used to this day by Shoshone for spiritual and cultural practices. Thank you for your interest in what we Native Americans be,"said a Western Shoshone grandmother. Photos Western Shoshone Defense Project.

Related article: Barrick Gold Kills

http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2008/12/barrick-gold-kills.html

Barrick Gold Kills

Canadian company profiteering and killing around the world

LATE BREAKING NEWS: Thousands raid Barrick's North Mara mine, destroy $15 million in equipment
http://www.protestbarrick.net/
TANZANIA: In what appears to be a civilian movement against Barrick Gold, the world's largest gold miner, thousands of people invaded Barrick`s North Mara Gold Mine this week in Tarime District and destroyed equipment worth $15 million. One villager, identified as Mang’weina Mwita Mang’weina, died in the confrontation. (Earlier, a subsidiary Barrick purchased buried miners alive.)

Photo: Sheila, child in photo at right, is one of 258 people moved at gunpoint, by machine guns, to make way for the Geita Gold Mine. Photo from Someone Else's Gold Exhibit

Killing of local boy at Barrick Gold Porgera mine creates crisis
PAPAU, NEW GUINEA: On the evening of July 22nd, Barrick security guards open fired on the local villages using high powered assault raffles, M16 and shot guns on the harmless villages. The reckless use of excessive force resulted in instant death of the late Gipson Umbi. In the last few weeks, three more locals have died under mysteries circumstances at the mine site.

WESTERN SHOSHONE: Barrick Gold is now destroying the region around Mount Tenabo, sacred mountain of the Western Shoshone
Barrick ripped the trees out by the roots and bulldzoned the region of the Western Shoshone's sacred Mount Tenabo in December. President Bush, Sr., cleared the way for Barrick to seize Nevada lands for gold mining before leaving office, then went to work for Barrick as a senior advisor. Photo Barrick destroying Mount Tenabo by Lisa Wolf.

Indigenous leaders expose Barrick's lies
Indigenous Leaders expose Barrick Gold's lies at a press conference after Barrick's Annual General Meeting in May of 2008.

“Your mine has destroyed our ancestral land, our sacred places, and our gardens, which we need to feed ourselves. You dump your mine waste directly into our river system contaminating 600 km of river all the way to the sea,” explained Jethro Tulin, Executive Officer of Akali Tange Association of Papau, New Guinea, in a speech aimed directly at Barrick's head Peter Munk.
He continued, “Your security guards have been shooting and killing our people and raping, even gang-raping, our women with impunity for years now… When will Barrick agree to move the more than 5,000 families who live within your mine lease in a way that is fair and will provide us an opportunity to be healthy, to feed our families, and to educate our children?”

PHOTO (From left to right) Larson R Bill (Community Planner, Western Shoshone Defence Project, USA), Anga Atalu (Secratary, Porgera Land Owners Association, Papua New Guinea), Jethro Tulin (Executive Director, Akali Tange Association, Papua New Guinea), Mark Ekepa (Chairman, Porgera Land Owners Association, Papua New Guinea) and Neville Chappy Williams (Mooka/Kalara United Families within the Wiradjuri Nation, Lake Cowal, Australia). Photo: Allan Cedillo Lissner

Blizzard slams Pine Ridge and Rosebud

December 14, 2008
By Tamra Brennan
www.NDNnews.com
Life threatening temperatures of -60 degrees slam South Dakota. Heating crisis a major issue
URGENT HELP NEEDED!

South Dakota has been hit with yet another blizzard last night. This severe storm has brought low temperatures of -35 degrees with the wind chill factor. Tonight's low is expected to be -60 degrees in many areas of Western South Dakota. These temperatures are expected to last through Tuesday evening, with more snow expected over the next few days. The rest of this week, evening temperatures will be around zero, or just above.

Many of you are aware of the blizzard that slammed Western South Dakota on November 5th. Over two thousand power poles were broken, leaving hundreds of people on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations without power and heat for up to two weeks. That blizzard left snow drifts of up to twenty feet in some areas, leaving roads impassible for days. See our press release Eleven Days Later, Disaster finally coming to a close for Pine Ridge Reservation and all of the posts and updates regarding the blizzard on our blog post entitled "Blizzard slams South Dakota Rez's" http://news.ndnnews.com

Since that last blizzard, hundreds of people were left low or without propane. Now another storm blasts through, this time with even worse life-threatening temperatures. The National Weather Service states that a person could suffer from frostbite within ten minutes or less in these temperatures. At -60F, it takes only one minute for exposed skin to become frostbitten. There are many people on the reservations that do not have adequate heating and are suffering horribly in these brutal temperatures.

Link Center Foundation (LCF), a non profit 501C3 organization, is desperately seeking funding for emergency heating assistance for the elders, the disabled, and/or the seriously ill on the Reservations. Also, there are often children found in the homes of elders. According to statistics, nearly 60% of the elders are raising their grandchildren or great-grandchildren.

Since the blizzard in November, Link Center Foundation has received a enormous amount of requests for heating assistance. LCF has successfully funded 132 families in need so far this year. However, as of today, they still have 130 approved applications still pending on a waiting list and more applications are arriving every day. Tragically, LCF has run out of funds even though winter has only just begun. Some assistance has come in from other organizations such as NAMA (the Native American Music Association). However, with the enormous number of requests pouring in, even that hasn't been able to cover the needs. Funding is the major challenge.

The first day of Winter has not officially arrived yet; it is still ten days away and we have already been faced with two blizzards and brutally extreme temperatures. South Dakota can receive snow up until May. The first snow this year was the beginning of October. Eight months of cold and snow is going to make for a horrific and very long winter this year.

How many people can withstand -60F temperatures in sub-standard housing with inadequate or little heating? Well, this is what many elders, disabled, and folks with small children are being faced with this year.

The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is located within three counties. Shannon County is one of the poorest counties in the country. Pine Ridge is the second largest Reservation in the United States, roughly the size of the State of Connecticut. The unemployment rate is approximately 80-85% and the median income is about $3,500.00 a year. To make matters worse, heating costs have risen approximately 33% this year.

Nearly 60% of the homes on Pine Ridge are significantly sub-standard. Many are over-crowded and without proper heating, insulation, running water, sewer, or electricity.

How can you help?
Please consider making a contribution (tax deductible), to Link Center Foundation for heating assistance for the elders, the disabled, and the seriously ill. No amount is too small (or large!). If you can send $10 or $20 dollars, every dollar can help make a difference.

The Holidays are upon us, many of you will be out shopping for your loved ones soon. Here is a creative idea to help: Instead of buying yet another toaster, sweater or video game for your family members, how about making a donation to LCF on behalf of your loved ones! You can give them a card, saying that they helped provide heat to a family in need on the Reservations in South Dakota.

It's a great way to help, and you are able to provide a life-saving gift to the people. I am sure your loved one would be thrilled that they were able to help someone in this way. You can also take it one step further and make a family decision for everyone to take their gift money and make a donation on behalf of your entire family!

Please visit LCF's website for additional information at www.linkcenterfoundation.org or email admin@linkcenterfoundation.org
You can easily and securely make your donation on your credit card or bank debit card right on the Link Center Foundation website!
Or you can mail donations to the following address at:
Link Center Foundation
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 576 – Firestone, CO 80520-0576
Shipping Address: 117 Jackson Drive – Firestone, CO 80520
Local Phone: 303-833-6520
Toll-Free Phone: 888-220-1653
Thank you all for your continued help and assistance with this winter crisis on the rez.