Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

September 30, 2023

'Shut Down Elbit' in Roanoke, Virginia

'Shut Down Elbit' in Roanoke, Virginia, by Appalachians Against Pipelines

Today, Elbit Systems, the Israeli defense contractor, was protested in Roanoke, Virginia on Friday. Human rights defenders around the world -- from the UK and Boston, Massachusetts, to Australia -- are demanding a shutdown of corporations manufacturing Elbit's drones, surveillance, and weapons used against Palestinians. On the Tohono O'odham Nation, Elbit built the 11 spy towers that now allow the crime-infested U.S. Border Patrol to stalk vulnerable O'odham at their homes on the Tohono O'odham Nation, on the Arizona border. -- Censored News

The Red Nation's Statement: Shooter's Gun Jammed, Planned to Shoot Others

The Red Nation Account of Thursday’s Shooting



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

CONTACT

editortherednation@gmail.com

WHAT

THE RED NATION RESPONDS TO RACIST ATTACK ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

WHERE/WHEN

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 RIO ARRIBA COUNTY ANNEX BUILDING

WHO

CALLING ON ALL NATIONAL, STATE, TRIBAL, COUNTY, AND CITY OFFICIALS, AND MOVEMENT ALLIES, TO CONDEMN THIS RACIST ATTACK AND DEMAND THE PROTECTION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE 

WHY

An agitator opened fire on a prayerful celebration in Tewa Territory (Española, New Mexico) shortly after 12PM local time on Thursday, September 28. This was a premeditated act of violence. The agitator shot Jacob Johns (Hopi and Akimel O’odham) in the torso. Johns was protecting a peaceful group of community members assembled at the Rio Arriba County Annex Building, along with half a dozen community peacekeepers. The gunman was heard saying “let’s do this” to a small group of men immediately before opening fire. At the time of the shooting, community members were celebrating a postponement of the reinstallation of a Juan de Oñate statue that was previously removed from Alcalde, New Mexico on June 15, 2020. Rio Arriba County officials planned to reinstall the statue on Thursday morning in its new location in front of the county annex building, but postponed the reinstallation after community members and activists mounted pressure earlier in the week. News of the postponement came as a relief to organizers, who turned the planned peaceful protest into an impromptu peaceful celebration with speeches and a community feed. 

Arrest Warrant Reveals Details of Hate Crime at Onate Statue Prayerful Protest

Ryan Martinez with the weapon. Detail of photo by Albuquerque Journal.

Arrest Warrant Reveals Details of Hate Crime at Onate Statue Prayerful Protest

The Red Nation's statement: Shooter's gun jammed, planned to shoot others

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News


ESPANOLA, New Mexico -- The arrest warrant for the man who shot Jacob Johns, Hopi and Akimel O'odham, reveals details of the attempted murder of the peacemaker at the prayerful protest of the rededication of the Juan de Onate statue.

The shooter aimed his gun at a second person before fleeing, driving in the wrong lane south toward Pojoajue Pueblo during the chase.

Earlier in the day the shooter made racist comments to the children at the shrine during his actions to disrupt the gathering.

Ryan Martinez shown wearing MAGA cap at gathering.
Witnesses said he was searching for security camercas
when this photo was taken at the event.

Ryan David Martinez, the shooter, was wearing a Make America Great Again, MAGA, red cap. After his arrest, Martinez laughed when shown a photo of him holding the gun that fired the shot.

September 29, 2023

Jacob Johns Shot at Onate Prayerful Protest Undergoing Surgery



Jacob Johns Shot at Onate Prayerful Protest Undergoing  Surgery


"All our morning prayers for our protector who put his life on the life for women, children, and our speakers. He will go into another surgery this morning. We are praying for a strong and steadfast recovery." -- Nick Estes, The Red Nation

Update Saturday: Man charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for the shooting of Jacob Johns, Hopi and Akimel O'odham. The shooter fled the scene and was apprehended. Johns is undergoing multiple surgeries.

The Red Nation said, "On September 28, 2023, community and organizers gathered to have a peaceful and prayerful action in celebration that the Juan De Oñate statue would not be erected in Española, New Mexico. This celebration was violently interrupted by an agitator (later identified as Ryan Martinez) who tried to charge toward the speaker and crowd, who were mostly women and children. He was kept back by Native protectors and he then pulled a gun shooting a relative in the chest. He fled and was apprehended in Pojoaque. The relative who was shot is in the hospital and undergoing multiple surgeries. Please keep him and his family in your prayers."
--

By Carlos Martinez
Censored News

Indigenous climate activist, artist, musician, and father Jacob Johns was shot in the chest this morning, Sept 28.2023, during a No Juan de Oñate statue peaceful protest in Tewa territory (more commonly known as Española, New Mexico). Jacob put his body between women and children when the shooter charged towards the altar. He was air-lifted to a hospital in Albuquerque and had surgery. The shooter, who was wearing a red MAGA hat, is in custody of tribal police. We ask everyone to please pray with us that he survives this surgery and that doctors have the strength and wisdom to help him.

Jacob, who is Hopi and Akimel O'odham, has dedicated his life to Indigenous and climate justice. He is a skilled muralist and speaker, and specializes in non-violent, peaceful “artivism”. He has a teenage daughter, Lily, she and his other family are currently flying from Washington State to Albuquerque New Mexico to be by his side.

This inspirational man has put his life on the line over and over again to make a better world for his fellow humans, and now he and his family need your support to recover from this terrible hate crime. As you can imagine, being a climate activist is not lucrative work to readily afford major life-saving surgery. We are humbly requesting your donations to help cover his recovery, his medical bills, and to help support his family needs during what will likely be a very lengthy recovery period. This comes just two months before Jacob will be leading an Indigenous Wisdom Keepers Delegation at COP28 to advocate for Indigenous solutions to climate change. Please pray with us for his recovery and donate if you can.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-jacob-johns-recover-from-terrorist-shooting

Links to Jacob's work are below:
- Free The Vote Mural: https://landscouncil.org/news/free-the-vote-mural
-COP28 Indigenous Wisdom Keeper Delegation

Native Shot at Prayerful Onate Protest

September 28, 2023

Native Shot During Prayerful Protest of Onate Statue in Espanola, NM



A local Trump supporter shot a Native man, who was here for a climate conference from Spokane, during a prayerful protest of the rededication of the Onate statue. Onate was a conquistador and war criminal, known to the Pueblos at the "butcher."

Update Friday:
Jacob Johns, Hopi and Akimel O'odham, Undergoes Surgery, After Being Shot 

Victim identified at Source New Mexico

Photo of the shooter with the gun at Albuquerque Journal

The Santa Fe New Mexican
ESPAÑOLA — The site of a planned celebration for the installation and "rededication" of a nearly 30-year-old bronze statue of conquistador Juan de Oñate erupted in violence between protesters around noon Thursday, and a man was wounded by gunfire.

The statue installation and morning event at the Rio Arriba County building in Española were canceled Wednesday evening due to concerns about an ongoing protest at the site, but groups continued to gather there, including Native activists. A shot was fired amid a scuffle.

Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Sgt. Chris Gurule said a man was taken into custody shortly after the shooting, around 12:15 p.m.

According to a witness, the victim was a resident of Spokane, Wash. The woman said she and the man had come to the area together for a climate conference and joined the protest when they learned about it.

Other protesters provided aid to him for more than 10 minutes until emergency medical personnel arrived and took him to Presbyterian Española Hospital. Gurule said the man was shot in the chest or stomach and was in stable condition.


CALL TO ACTION: PRAYERFUL PROTEST, IN-PERSON SUPPORT FOR SAFETY IN NUMBERS

The Red Nation: editortherednation@gmail.com
Three Sisters Collective: message3sc@gmail.com
September 28, 2023, 9AM MT
TEWA TERRITORY – ESPAÑOLA, NM
RIO ARRIBA COUNTY ANNEX BUILDING – 1122 INDUSTRIAL PARK RD, ESPAÑOLA, NM 87532

LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ORGANIZATIONS OF NORTHERN NEW MEXICO, AND INDIGENOUS-LED ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE RED NATION, THREE SISTERS COLLECTIVE, COALITION TO STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST NATIVE WOMEN, AND NDN COLLECTIVE INVITE THE PUBLIC TO PRAYERFULLY PROTEST THE REDEDICATION OF WAR CRIMINAL JUAN DE OÑATE’S STATUE IN FRONT OF THE RIO ARRIBA COUNTY ANNEX BUILDING.

O'odham Rights -- Fresh Food Deliver to Tohono O'odham Elders


Stalked by the US Border Patrol while delivering food to O'odham elderly in the border region.
Photo copyright Ofelia Rivas

Fresh fruits and vegetables being delivered this week by Ofelia Rivas and her brother to Tohono O'odham elderly. O'odham lands are on both sides of what is known as the Arizona border. Photo by Ofelia Rivas.

O'odham Rights -- Fresh Food Deliver to Tohono O'odham Elders

By Ofelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham
O'odham Voice Against the Wall
Censored News

Delivery of food to Elders and young families is an honor. An Elder said we had no potatoes to cook yesterday and she smiles at the red potatoes and onions. We sat under a very shady small tree while she told me about her life story since our last visit.

Fresh peaches, apples, and grapefruits are a welcome luxury to most people on a fixed income. She said by the time you pay the water and electric and other bills we buy our staples and hopefully they'll last until next month.

My brother and I have been delivering food for years. We know our people welcome the food and there are people who use everything and do not waste. I highly protect our Elders and do not reveal where they live and who they are.

All our efforts are funded by my personal gas funds. Any donations are appreciated.

Contact O'odham Rights https://www.oodhamrights.org/

O'odham land Photo by Oflelia Rivas


Food delivery photo by Ofelia Rivas


Copyright Ofelia Rivas, Censored News. Content may not be used without written permission.

September 23, 2023

Standing Rock: Federal Appeals Court Hears Case of Law Enforcement Brutality at Backwater Bridge



From L to R: Center for Protest Law and Litigation (CPLL) Executive Director Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, Michael Avery with National Police Accountability Project, CPLL Senior Counsel Rachel Lederman, Standing Rock water protector and attorney Wašté Win Young, Co-Counsel Melinda Power, CPLL attorney Amanda Eubanks outside the courthouse in St. Louis.

Standing Rock: Federal Appeals Court Hears Case of Law Enforcement Brutality at Backwater Bridge 

By Brenda Norrell
Copyright Censored News
Sept. 19, 2023

ST LOUIS -- A federal appeals court heard arguments in the class action lawsuit filed for excessive force at Backwater Bridge at Standing Rock by water protectors who suffered critical injuries. The issues argued included whether water protectors were free to leave, whether law enforcement feared for their lives, and whether the use of munitions, bean bags filled with shot, and water sprayed on water protectors in temperatures below freezing, were justified or legal.

Rachel Lederman, lead counsel for water protectors, told the Eighth Circuit Appeals Court's three-member panel of judges, that the district court based its decision in favor of law enforcement are disputed.

“The story defendants have put forth to justify their use of force is hotly disputed."

Lederman an attorney with the Center for Protest Law and Litigation, said that a jury should decide whether it was objectionably reasonable for officers to bombard hundreds of individuals with high-pressure water hoses, impact munitions, explosives, and chemical agents for ten hours, causing serious injuries, for the people that were allegedly causing problems.

Bias in the Newsrooms: TigerSwan's Planted Articles


Police confront protesters with a rubber bullet gun during a protest against plans to pass the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, near Cannon Ball, North Dakota. Photo by Stephanie Keith/Reuters

Bias in the newsrooms: TigerSwan's 'planted' articles:

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, Sept. 23, 2023

The bias and racism in bordertown newsrooms, since the beginning of paper, has been obvious to anyone who spent time there. It is comparable to the current neglect and biased coverage by Nevada media on Native issues including the lithium mines, bombing range and nuclear genocide.

There is another factor, revealed in the internal files of TigerSwan, now public. It is the "placement" of stories in newspapers, which are often void of facts, and most certainly to promote the interests of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Mohawk Nation News 'Time to Go Home'


Read this powerful new article from Mohawk Nation News on MNN:
https://mohawknationnews.com/blog/2023/09/22/time-to-go-home/
 

September 19, 2023

MNN 'Mohawk Mothers: No Safeguard Order at this Time'

MOHAWK MOTHERS: NO SAFEGUARD ORDER AT THIS TIME

PRESS RELEASE – COURT UPDATE

Mohawk Nation News

RE: QUEBEC SUPERIOR COURT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF AND TO OBTAIN A SAFEGUARD ORDER, CASE #500-17-120468-221: Kaheninetha et al v. SQI, McGill University, et all.; and Intervenors Independant Spedical Interlocateur for Missing Children & Unmarked Graves…. 

Shé:kon

We have learned that at this stage that Justice Gregory Moore is not able to issue a safeguard order to halt excavation work in zone #11 of the former Royal Victoria Hospital. The Judge relied on the Expert Panel’s mapping report which authorized excavation work in zone #11 if there is careful monitoring of the work and if it is limited to this area. We consider that the Expert Panel must be involved in overseeing the investigation to adapt it to the findings on the ground.

September 18, 2023

Standing Rock -- Appeals Court to Hear Excessive Force Lawsuit at Backwater Bridge Tuesday






Standing Rock -- Appeals Court to Hear Excessive Force Lawsuit at Backwater Bridge Tuesday

Update: Federal appeals court hears excessive force, class action lawsuit, for injured at Backwater Bridge at Standing Rock

https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2023/09/federal-appeals-court-heard-arguments.html

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, Sept. 19, 2023

Three hundred water protectors were injured on the night of November 20, 2016, at Backwater Bridge at Standing Rock. Twenty-six were seriously injured and taken by ambulance to nearby hospitals. Guy Dull Knife III was one of them. On Tuesday, an excessive force lawsuit filed against Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier and others will be argued before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis.

"On the night of November 20-21, 2016, law enforcement shot unarmed, nonviolent water protectors with impact munitions, flash-bang explosives, and freezing blasts of water over the course of ten hours, seriously injuring Appellants and many others," states the federal class-action, civil rights lawsuit Dundon v Kirchmeier.

Wašté Win Young, Water Protector and former Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for Standing Rock, reflected on the significance of the case.

“I was born and raised on Standing Rock. It’s my home. The law enforcement that attacked us were our neighbors. It was surreal. Even now, when I cross that bridge I remember the people who got maimed, fell through ice, sprayed with water and chemicals, injured by those who are supposed to protect us. There are several images imprinted in my mind from November 20, 2016."

"I remember law enforcement indiscriminately aiming water canons at a group of Native American individuals who were praying on their knees, while other law enforcement personnel shot tear gas and projectiles into the crowd where I was standing."

"I nearly choked on the tear gas. It is my hope that the rule of law will prevail against the law enforcement who blatantly disregarded the constitutional and civil rights of hundreds of peaceful protestors," Waste Win Young said.





Photo by Rob Wilson

New York: The Great March on Wall Street is Underway: 120 Climate Defenders Arrested So Far in Front of Federal Reserve

                      The Great March on Wall Street is Underway
Now! "Arrest the real criminals!" the voices echoed. Police loudspeaker: "Since you have refused to disperse, you will be arrested." Climate Defenders now. "We want a future." Young people in action.



"Lock it down!" the voices call out. The sign says, "Scientists to Biden: End Fossil Fuels" Now in New York


Now in Manhattan: Mass arrests of climate activists on Wall Street, Manhattan, New York. Follow Climate Defenders on Twitter/X https://twitter.com/ClimateDEF

New York Communities for Change said the Federal Reserve is shut down after more than 1,000 "people are hitting the streets in Wall Street in the pouring rain to demand that the banks stop financing fossil fuels. We’re in the belly of the beast and we’re about to shut it down."

September 15, 2023

Dine' Marcus Mitchell Shot in the Eye at Standing Rock -- Holding the Cops Responsible


Militarized police at Standing Rock: Weapons of brutality: 12-gauge shotgun filled with bean bag shot or tear gas and two tasers. Photo by Rob Wilson 2016.

Marcus Mitchell, Dine', (second from left) with his attorneys before giving his deposition on Friday in Albuquerque. Photo by Dr. Michelle Cook, Dine', director Divest Invest Protect.

At Standing Rock, law enforcement officers were armed with so-called non-lethal weapons, including shotguns loaded with bean bags, as shown here with the orange butt and forearm on the left. Photo by Rob Wilson, Standing Rock, 2016.


Dine' Marcus Mitchell Shot in the Eye at Standing Rock -- Holding the Cops Responsible

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
Sept. 15, 2023


ALBUQUERQUE -- Dine' Marcus Mitchell, water protector who was shot in the eye at Standing Rock, said now is the time to hold the cops responsible, after giving a deposition in the federal case today. 

"We interrogate the police officers, we weigh them, we measure them and we hold them accountable for the horrendous acts of violence they have committed against us," Marcus said.

Marcus filed a federal civil lawsuit against North Dakota law enforcement agencies after being subjected to excessive violence while peacefully protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline in January 2017. The North Dakota District Court earlier dismissed the case, but the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision.

"Today was the first day that I've ever come face to face with law enforcement that shot me in the face, resulting in permanent eye loss in my left eye. Basically, what happened was they asked me every single question about my life, from third grade all the way up to a couple weeks ago. They showed me a picture of me at Crow Dog's Paradise dancing," Marcus said.

The photo shown to Marcus during the deposition was one that he was unaware of, and was taken at the annual Lakota Sun Dance.


MNN 'Judge to Make Decision Monday'

JUDGE TO MAKE DECISION MONDAY 

Mohawk Nation News

PRESS RELEASE 

Please post & circulate immediately.

 

MNN. Sep. 15/23. September 14, 2023. Quebec Superior Court, District of Montreal. Oral submissions by Kahnistensera vs SQI, McGill et al. Judge will make a decision next Monday: REGARDING 20 T0 70 FALSE POSITIVES  FLAGGED BY THREE DOGS & GPR [ground penetrating radar]. Mohawk Mothers. face ‘denialism’, ‘disbanding’ of Expert Panel, and other questionable actions.

September 13, 2023

Lakota Nick Estes: Oceti Sakowin is Our Seat of Power -- Free Leonard Peltier


Rally for Clemency for Leonard Peltier. Photo by Nick Estes

https://twitter.com/i/status/1701665475984261523

Lakota Nick Estes: Oceti Sakowin is Our Seat of Power -- Free Leonard Peltier

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, September 13, 2023

While hundreds rallied outside the White House on Tuesday, urging clemency and freedom for Leonard Peltier on his 79th birthday, Nick Estes, Lakota, spoke of the seat of power of the people, and the reason to free Leonard Peltier.

"We are here again, in the belly of the beast saying what we have said since 1978, that the FBI has waged a reign of terror against the American Indian Movement and social movements who are fighting for freedom, for justice, and more importantly treaty rights."

"This is not the seat of power in Indian country. Look around you, all of our relatives that came from the communities from across the country. We have the wild Oglalas who are here, that is the heart of Oceti Sakowin territory, that is the seat of power, for our nation Oceti Sakowin, not the White House, not Congress."

September 12, 2023

MNN: MOHAWK MOTHERS RETURN TO COURT AS MCGILL/SQI DRILL HOLES AT ROYAL VICTORIA HOSPITAL



MOHAWK MOTHERS RETURN TO COURT AS MCGILL/SQI DRILL HOLES AT ROYAL VICTORIA HOSPITAL
Posted on September 12, 2023




Mohawk Nation News





MOHAWK MOTHERS SOON SETTING OUT FOR ANOTHER DAY IN MONTREAL COURT


September 12th, 2023, “Mohawk Mothers Return to Court Thursday As McGill and SQI Drill Holes At Royal Victoria Hospital” Tio’tià:ke (Montreal) –

The Mohawk Mothers held a press conference at the corner of Pine and Peel Sts. on September 12, 2023, at 2:30 p.m.

The Kahnistensera filed an Emergency Motion to halt drilling and excavation at the Royal Victoria Hospital site, which will be heard on Thursday, September 14 at the Montreal. Superior Court. The Emergency Motion details breaches to the Settlement Agreement by McGill and the SQI that the Mohawk Mothers repeatedly raised in direct talks about the way they are handling the archaeological investigation ordered by the Quebec Superior Court to search for unmarked graves of victims of medical experiments.

Just Released: "Mining the Sacred: Indigenous Nations Fight Lithium Gold Rush at Thacker Pass"


Dean Barlese is charged by Lithium Americas of Canada for protecting the sacred massacre site of Peehee Mu'huh, Thacker Pass in northern Nevada.
Watch now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLO7ClVtlBA

Cree Journalist Brandi Morin said, "We are taking back the narrative and this story about North America’s largest lithium mine being constructed while violating sacred Indigenous territories is told from the Native perspective. The 'green' energy revolution isn’t what you think it is!"
IndigiNews Media and The Real News
Go watch!
Follow Native journalist Brandi Morin, who came from Canada, and covered this powerful story.

"In Nevada’s remote Thacker Pass, a fight for our future is playing out between local Indigenous tribes and powerful state and corporate entities hellbent on mining the lithium beneath their land. Vancouver-based Lithium Americas is developing a massive lithium mine at Thacker Pass, but for more than two years several local tribes and environmental organizations have tried to block or delay the mine in the courts and through direct action.

"The Thacker Pass Project is backed by the Biden administration, and companies like General Motors have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the project, looking to capitalize on the transition to a 'green energy economy,' for which lithium is essential. While it is a vital component in the manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries, though, there’s nothing “green” about mining lithium. Ending our addiction to fossil fuels is urgently necessary, but the struggle of the local tribes around Thacker Pass reveals the dark side of a “green revolution” that prioritizes profits and consumption over everything (and everyone) else." -- Mining the Sacred