CENSORED NEWS: Sacramento

Showing posts with label Sacramento. Show all posts

August 9, 2022

AIM in Solidarity with United Farm Workers: The March to Sacramento

KPFA Radio's Frank Sterling of AIM solidarity with United Farm Workers and the American Indian Movement, in solidarity on the Walk to Sacramento in support of AB 2183, farmworker right to vote without harassment or intimidation. Photo courtesy Tony Gonzales, AIM West.

Farm workers on 24-day, 335-mile sacrificial march urging Newsom to sign farm worker voting rights bill

By United Farm Workers

by Jocelyn Sherman Twitter

August 1, 2022

DELANO, Calif.—With the fight to preserve voting rights against voter suppression underway nationwide, California farm workers are staging a sacrificial 24-day, 335-mile peregrinacion (pilgrimage or march) from Delano to Sacramento during the heat of summer to convince Governor Gavin Newsom to sign their bill giving farm workers protection from intimidation in elections to choose a union. Today, they must nearly always vote on grower property, amidst cynical voter suppression through abuse and intimidation by foremen, supervisors, and labor contractors.

SACRAMENTO Longest Walk 2019 Recognizes Indigenous Children in U.S. Prison Camps -- Photos Today by Bad Bear

Longest Walk Recognizes Children in U.S. Prison Camps

Photos by Western Shoshone Carl 'Bad Bear' Sampson.

Article by Brenda Norrell
Censored News
Western Shoshone Photojournalist Carl Bad Bear Sampson said the Longest Walk 2019 runners and walkers made it 16 miles today, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019.
At the federal building in Sacramento, Long Walkers called for unity and solidarity, as they walk across this land now known as "America.'
Today, Long Walkers held a Prayer Ceremony for the children in U.S. prison camps, outside the Sacramento federal building where ICE is located.
'The purpose today was to recognize the over 14,000 Indigenous children in prison camps for no crime other than trying to cross an artificial colonial nation-state border." -- Long Walker

Route Schedule
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2019/02/longest-walk-2019-route-schedule.html?m=1

Photos copyright Carl Sampson, Censored News

October 30, 2015

Navajo News at Censored News Oct. 30, 2015

Navajo News at Censored News

Alert: Arizona officials intent on stealing Navajo water rights have an upcoming Arizona Town Hall in November: http://www.aztownhall.org/Upcoming_Town_Hall

Censored News is happy to share with you these Dine' (Navajo) news stories from the people on the land, Censored News journalists and video coverage of testimony before Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in Washington.

Nihigaal bee Iina Dine' walkers at Sisnaajini, San Luis Valley

By Nihigaal bee Iina

Oct. 30, 2015:" We made it to the base of Sisnaajini! The mountain is beautiful and we can definitely feel the strength of dził'adzaan. Here in the San Luis Valley, we can also feel the impacts of colonization - the presence of our people has been removed from this area for generations, starting with the Spanish land grab settlement of Nuevo Mexico back in the 1600's. As indigenous people, we are in the minority here, to the point where many people are confused by our presence here ..." Read more:
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/10/nihigaal-bee-iina-dine-walkers-at.html

Video interview with Louise Benally at Big Mountain
By Christine Prat
Video in English. Article in French. Thank you Christine Prat for sharing your photo, video and article with Censored News. Watch video and read article:
http://www.chrisp.lautre.net/wpblog/?p=3080
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/10/video-louise-benally-at-big-mountain-by.html

Big Mountain: On-Land, Decolonized-Spirited Gathering, Nov. 21 - 27th & Beyond
By NaBahii Keediniihii

Lets do this together at the heart of Big Mountain, November 21st - 27th:

- Boycott "Genocide-Coverup" Week (aka Thanksgiving), and show up at the Blackgoat homestead, Thinrock Mesa,

- Herd sheep as family monitor your first day, and so that elders can rest or tend to important cultural activities,

- Provide your vehicle or chainsaw, if you wish, for the numerous support project activities,

- Join wood crews that will gather firewood and do a few needed road repair work,

- Attend the closing day assembly to feast and celebrate solidarity, Friday, November 27th.
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/10/video-louise-benally-at-big-mountain-by.html

Interview with Sacramento State student Chiitaanibah Johnson, Navajo/Maidu

by Francisco Dominguez and Dan Bacher

(Photo copyright Francisco Dominquez)

Interview with Sacramento State student Chiitaanibah Johnson, Navajo/Maidu

Q: Explain the events that led to a part time adjunct history teacher, Maury Wiseman, disenrolling you from his class, American History 17A, a requirement at Sacramento State University. This is a controversy that has gained national media attention.

http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/10/video-louise-benally-at-big-mountain-by.html

Human Rights and Water: Testimony before Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

Video testimony: Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

Thanks to Michelle Cook, Dine', for sharing the news from Washington

Navajo in New Mexico testify on uranium mining, radiation and water. Listen to more.
Testimony on Human Rights and Water before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Washington DC this week.
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/10/human-rights-and-water-testimony-before.html

Extractive industries impacts on sacred places: Navajo, Pueblo and Apache testify
Friday, Oct. 23, 2015: Washington DC
Photos and video by Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

Indigenous representative gathered in Washington D.C, Oct 23 at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to give testimony regarding the need to secure and meaningfully protect sacred sites and landscapes, including San Francisco Peaks. Mt. Taylor, and the recent land exchange and proposed copper mining at Oak Flat.

Those testifying are Leonard Gorman Executive Director, Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission. Dr. Ora V. Marek Martinez, Historic Preservation Officer, Navajo Nation. Vernelda Grant, Historic Preservation Officer San Carlos Apache Nation, and David Martinez, 1st Lt. Governor, The Pueblo of Laguna.

The testimony highlighted current inadequacies within the legal framework of the United States in protecting indigenous sacred sites particularly those located off reservation lands.

The thematic hearing was titled: Impact of extractive industries on sacred places of indigenous peoples in the United States Hearing, 156th ordinary period of sessions.
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/10/extractive-industries-impact-on-sacred.html

Collusion by Feds on Navajo Coal Plant Deal

Illegal government collusion and secrecy uncovered in EPA and Dept. of Interior deal on air pollution control at Navajo Generating Station

Navajo community groups file civil action to address harmful smokestack emissions without delay: BLACK MESA, Ariz. – One of the nation's oldest and dirtiest coal-burning power plants will be able to continue dumping pollution into the skies above the Navajo Nation for another three decades because of a plan that was hatched in secrecy by government agencies, a coalition of Navajo groups claim in a complaint filed on Oct. 26, 2015.

http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/10/collusion-by-feds-uncovered-on-navajo.html

Navajo Farmer Visits Palestine
Roberto Nutlouis' photos and words as he shares his journey to Palestine, in solidarity with Palestinians
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/09/dineh-farmer-visits-palestine.html
and
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/09/photos-navajo-in-palestine-ethnic.html
"They built a wall to try to keep terrorists out And it becomes symbolic what terrorism’s about" (h. Salam)

Spent the day taking with various communities impacted by the apartheid wall. They explained it as 'Ethnic Cleansing' by making their lives severely difficult and many communities have becomes ghost towns. The Beduin communities have collective decided to resist relocation. It demonstrates indigenous peoples deep connection to their lands are not easily uprooted.

Beduin elders remind us this struggle is not isolated but rather part of the continued colonization.

"The British brought settlers to your lands and they also sent them to our lands" -- Roberto Nutlouis, Dineh in Palestine

March 28, 2015

Activists 'Shut Down' Nestlé Water Bottling Plant in Sacramento

Photo of protest in front of the Nestlé Waters bottling plant in Sacramento on March 20 by Dan Bacher.

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original image ( 5184x3456)

Activists 'Shut Down' Nestlé Water Bottling Plant in Sacramento

by Dan Bacher

Censored News
Environmental and human rights activists, holding plastic “torches” and “pitchforks,” formed human barricades at both entrances to the Nestlé Waters bottling plant in Sacramento at 5:00 a.m. on Friday March 20, effectively shutting down the company's operations for the day.

Members of the “Crunch Nestlé Alliance" shouted out a number of chants, including “”We got to fight for our right to water,” “Nestlé, Stop It, Water Not For Profit," and “Agua Para Quien? Para Nuestra Gente!”

The protesters stayed until about 1 pm, but there were no arrests.

Representatives of the alliance said the company is draining up to 80 million gallons of water a year from Sacramento aquifers during a record drought. They claim Sacramento City Hall has made it possible through a "corporate welfare giveaway."

“This corporate welfare giveaway is an outrage and warrants a major investigation,” Coalition spokesperson Andy Conn said. “For more than five months we have requested data on Nestlé water use. City Hall has not complied with our request, or given any indication that it will. Sacramentans deserve to know how their money is being spent and what they’re getting for it. In this case, they’re getting ripped off.”

Lola Ellis of 99 Rise Sacramento, who spoke on the bullhorn at the protest, said, “Nestlé’s bottling of water in Sacramento is unsustainable in the current state of drought. We really don’t’ know how much water they are taking from the aquifer and that is a scary thing.”

“The water needs to be used for the local community. If there is not enough water for the local community, the Nestlé corporation should not be making a profit,” she emphasized.

The coalition protested what they call Nestlé's “virtually unlimited use of water” while Sacramentans (like other Californians) who use a mere 7 to 10 percent of total water used in the State of California, have had severe restrictions and limitations forced upon them.

The coalition is calling on Nestlé to pay rates commensurate with its enormous profit, or voluntarily close down.

“Nestlé pays only 65 cents for each 470 gallons it pumps out of the ground – the same rate as an average residential water user. But the company can turn the area's water around, and sell it back to Sacramento at mammoth profit,” according to a news release from the activists.

They said Sacramento officials have refused attempts to obtain details of Nestlé's water use. Coalition members have addressed the Sacramento City Council and requested that Nestle’ either pay a commercial rate under a two tier level, or pay a tax on its profit.

A call to the Sacramento City Department Utilities about the details of Nestle’s water use hadn’t been returned as of press time.

But according to Fox 40 News, “In 2014 Nestlé says it used 50 million gallons from the Sacramento Municipal Water Supply, which they say is a fraction of one percent of total water demand within the city of Sacramento.”

“Nestle can claim any amount of water they want, but we haven’t seen any documentation of the amount of water they’re using,” said Bob Saunders, also with the Crunch Nestlé Alliance. "We do know they’re allowed to take up to 80 million gallons per year.”

Mauro Oliveira, known as "Red Sun," showed up at the protest with his children, including Rise, Aren and Mahai'a, and connected the battle of local activists against Nestlé with the struggle of Indian Tribes, family farmers, grassroots environmental activists and fishermen to stop fracking, the Shasta Dam raise, and Governor Jerry Brown’s Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) to build the twin tunnels, the most environmentally destructive public works project in California history.

“This whole idea of bottling water goes against Indigenous Peoples' concept of water is sacred," said Oliveira. "The 20,000-year-old water in aquifers belongs to the last generation on earth. We don’t have the right to tap into this water.”

“The Governor said we should conserve, but millions of gallons of fracking waste are being reinjected into the aquifer in California. The Governor talks out of both sides of his mouth. Polluting our water supplies is a violation of human rights," said Oliveira.

Raiding pristine water from a National Forest stream

The bottling plant in Sacramento is not the only one in California. A recent investigation in the Desert Sun found that Nestlé Waters North America has been pumping water from pristine streams of the San Bernardino National Forest with little to no oversight by the U.S. Forestry Service. (http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2015/03/05/bottling-water-california-drought/24389417/)

“Nestle Waters North America holds a longstanding right to use this water from the national forest near San Bernardino,” according to the Sun. “But the U.S. Forest Service hasn't been keeping an eye on whether the taking of water is harming Strawberry Creek and the wildlife that depends on it. In fact, Nestle's permit to transport water across the national forest expired in 1988. It hasn't been reviewed since, and the Forest Service hasn't examined the ecological effects of drawing tens of millions of gallons each year from the springs.”

On its website, Nestlé claims that it is committed to “environmental stewardship.” (http://www.nestle-watersna.com/en/about-nestle-waters)

“36 years of experience promoting healthy hydration, Nestlé Waters North America has 15 leading U.S. and Canadian bottled water brands,” according to the company. “The company’s commitment to environmental stewardship, especially in the areas of water use, packaging and energy, as well as its dedication to partnering in the communities where it operates, have led Nestlé Waters to achieve the number one bottled drinking water position in the U.S.”

Activists disagree strongly with the company’s claims of commitment to "environmental stewardship." In October, the “Crunch Nestle” coalition released a "White Paper" highlighting predatory water profiteering actions taken by Nestle’ Water Bottling Company in various cities, counties, states and countries.

Most of those great “deals” yielded mega profits for Nestle’ at the expense of the public. Additionally, the environmental impact on many of those areas yielded “disastrous results,” the paper stated.

Nestlé is currently the leading supplier of the world’s bottled water, including such brands as Perrier and San Pellegrino, and has been criticized by activists for human rights violations throughout the world.

Nestlé Waters says it has 7,500 employees and 29 bottled water facilities across the U.S. and Canada, and annual revenues were $4.0 billion in 2012, up 6.8% from 2011.

For example, Food and Water Watch and other organizations blasted Nestlé’s "Human Rights Impact Assessment" in December 2013 as a "public relations stunt."
(http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/pressreleases/organizations-denounce-nestles-new-human-rights-impact-assessment-as-a-public-relations-stunt-us-version/)

“The failure to examine Nestlé’s track record on the human right to water is not surprising given recent statements by its chair Peter Brabeck-Letmath challenging the human right to water,” said Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director of Food & Water Watch. She noted that the company famously declared at the 2000 World Water Forum in the Netherlands that water should be defined as a need—not as a human right.

Watch Nestlé's CEO declare water “food that should be privatized, and not a human right”: http://http://www.globalresearch.ca/nestle-continues-stealing-worlds-water-during-drought/5438880

More recently Brabeck-Letmathe, after facing international criticism for his remarks, reversed course and now said he thinks that "water is a human right and that everyone, everywhere in the world, has the right to clean, safe water for drinking and sanitation." (http://www.nestle.com/aboutus/ask-nestle/answers/nestle-chairman-peter-brabeck-letmathe-believes-water-is-a-human-right?gclid=CPX_jpydycQCFQaTfgodFjAA0Q)

But activists continue to cite the company's bad human rights record, noting that Nestlé workers who have protested unjust labor conditions at the corporation’s facilities in Colombia have been assassinated by paramilitary death squads.

"In November 2013, Colombian trade unionist Oscar Lopez Trivino became the fifteenth Nestlé worker to be assassinated by a paramilitary organization while many of his fellow workers were in the midst of a hunger strike protesting the corporation’s refusal to hear their grievances," according to the groups.

Taking the water from aquifers throughout the world and the deaths of workers protesting Nestlé policies are not the only violation of human rights that activists charge the corporation with. Groups including the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) and Save the Children claim that the promotion of Nestle infant formula over breastfeeding has led to health problems and deaths among infants in less economically developed countries.

“They’re a despicable company with death built into their business plan,” summed up Conn.

For more information about the Crunch Nestlé Alliance, contact Andy Conn (530) 906-8077 camphgr55 (at) gmail.com or Bob Saunders (916) 370-8251

The Drought and The Tunnels

The Sacramento protest took place just days after Jay Famiglietti, the senior water scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Caltech and a professor of Earth system science at UC Irvine, revealed in an op-ed in the LA Times on March 12 that California has only one year of water supply left in its reservoirs. (http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-83043355/)

The protest also made the news as Governor Jerry Brown continues to fast-track his Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) to build the peripheral tunnels to ship Sacramento River water to corporate agribusiness, Southern California water agencies, and oil companies conducting fracking operations.

The $67 billion plan won't create one single drop of new water, but it will take vast tracts of Delta farm land out of production under the guise of "habitat restoration" in order to irrigate drainage-impaired soil owned by corporate mega-growers on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley.

The tunnel plan will also hasten the extinction of Sacramento River Chinook salmon, Central Valley steelhead, Delta and longfin smelt, green sturgeon and other fish species, as well as imperil the salmon and steelhead populations on the Klamath and Trinity rivers. The peripheral tunnels will be good for agribusiness, water privateers, oil companies and the 1 percent, but will be bad for the fish, wildlife, people and environment of California and the public trust.

§In front of the plant