Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights
Showing posts with label Spain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spain. Show all posts

December 16, 2025

Tohono O'odham Ophelia Rivas: Honoring the Ha'shan in Spain: International Peace Building

 

Women Civil Rights Center, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, province of Barcelona, Spain
Ophelia and Carmen Uros, Director of Civics, Volunteering and International Cooperation of Santa Coloma de Gramenet City Council. Photo courtesy Ophelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham.

The Honorable Ha'shan International Peace Building

Courtesy Ophelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham, and Women's Civil Right Center, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain, Censored News, Dec. 16, 2025

The humble Ha'shan was honored as a part of a photograph exhibition by Ophelia Rivas, at the 2025 Build Peace Conference at the La CIBA, Women Civil Rights Center in Santa Coloma de Gramenet in the province of Barcelona, Spain.

Ophelia is from Ali Je'gk (Little Clearing) village on the Tohono O'odham reservation located in the state of Arizona, on the United States and Mexico border.

December 1, 2025

Tohono O'odham Ophelia Rivas Speaks on Israeli Spy Towers in Spain

"Our Fire is Burning," Tohono O'odham Ophelia Rivas Speaks on Israeli Spy Towers in Barcelona, Spain

Ophelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham, speaks at Build Peace in Spain. Photo Build Peace, Censored News

Building Peace Conference in Spain

By Ophelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham, Censored News, Nov. 22, 2025
French translation by Christine Prat

SANTA COLOMA de GRAMENET, Spain -- Today I am speaking of the absence of true peace on O'odham lands, including personal peace, peace for plants and animals, peace for mountains and valleys, and peace for water and air.

The O'odham are under continuous surveillance from the U.S. government perspective of border security for protection of the american way of life.

June 23, 2021

Europe rallies for Indigenous rights as Zapatistas arrive in Spain

Photo El Pais, Mexico


Zapata lives! Zapatista Army Squadron 421 disembarks in Galicia to begin its European tour


The delegation was received by an assembly of collectives from all over the continent in a festive atmosphere

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News

The Zapatistas delegation disembarked from their ship on Tuesday to the sound of bagpipes and a festival, El Pais reports.

Manuel Raxo, the representative of Payasos Rebeldes, one of the collectives of the Galician assembly, said the defense of land and life is what unites them with the Zapatista army. "It is an opportunity to unite and wake up, as they claim, for the territory and all the struggles that unite us."

June 18, 2017

Resist! Nataanii Means tells Supporters in Spain


Photos: Nataanii Means with water protectors shutting down Credit Suisse in Geneva, Switzerland, before continuing to Madrid and Barcelona, Spain, on the 11 country tour of Europe.


Resist! Nataanii Means tells Supporters in Spain: The Legacy of Resistance, Standing Rock and Genocide

Article by Brenda Norrell
Recorded by Pascal Gregis in Madrid
Censored News
June 9, 2017
Audio is available for radio stations
brendanorrell@gmail.com

MADRID, Spain -- Nataanii Means, Dine' Omaha and Lakota, described being in Standing Rock Camp for seven months, resisting Dakota Access Pipeline, as Standing Rock Water Protectors concluded their 11 country tour in Europe.

Describing the Native American resistance in Standing Rock, he said, "This wasn't the first one, and it isn't the last."
"As Indigenous People we grow up in this, because we know nothing else."
"From the time we are born, we are fighting something."
Nataanii, who grew up in Chinle, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation, told of the open uranium mines on his homeland, and how radioactivity leaked into Navajos ground water and water sources. Now, the people are dying from cancer. He said this could happen to him.
Nataanii described the large open pit coal mine on the Navajo Nation.
"It is one thing to hear it, it is another thing to live it, it is another thing to die from it."
Nataanii said North Dakota is an oil boom state and the Dakota Access Pipeline was originally supposed to go through Bismarck.
Describing the suicide, and the violence inflicted on Native people, he said this oil boom is contributing to the violence against Native people. He said the violence has resulted in sex trafficking and murdered and missing Native women.
Dakota Access Pipeline did not pass through Bismarck, because the route was moved to 1851 Treaty land, he said.
The 1851 Treaty was the first of two treaties. A Peace Treaty followed because the U.S. wanted its wagons to pass through the land.
"We gave them peace. But the Treaty was never honored."
Treaties are the Supreme Law of the Land, but the U.S. has never honored the Treaties, he said.
Describing the manipulations of the law and permitting that resulted in DAPL receiving a permit, he said, "They fast tracked this pipeline to go through."
Nataanii described how the resistance movement and camp was started by youths and women of Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Tribes.
The youths ran from Standing Rock to Washington D.C. Then, in August, DAPL came in with their bulldozers and they struck artifacts.
Nataanii said he arrived the next day.
From that point on, he joined those who fought the pipeline, in a peaceful way. Resisting in a peaceful way was requested by the elders and it was honored.
Dakota Access Pipeline hired TigerSwan, former Blackwater, mercenaries, as private security.
"On our first encounter, they sicced dogs on us."
"They came out with huge dogs, and they released dogs on us."
Nataanii said the dogs took one woman down by her breast and the security guards laughed.
Nataanii also described meeting with Credit Suisse in Geneva, Switzerland.
"We told them they are investing in the Genocide of our People."
Nataanii described the heartless reaction of Credit Suisse. The bank's sustainability officer denied the genocide of Native Americans.
Nataanii said the fact is that American Indians were reduced to about 200,000 through genocide.
This genocide continues.
"Almost everything was destroyed. That is genocide."
"Now I watch my people die from cancer."
"I watched my dad die of cancer, my grandpa, my friends."
The militarization of the police grew worse at Standing Rock.
"It was hard to remain unarmed."
He said they remained peaceful because there were children in camp. They did not stand a chance against the militarized police and guns.
Standing Rock was not the beginning, and will not be the end.
The resistance continues in New Mexico, and elsewhere, as Keystone XL is also being revived, and the fight continues against Enbridge in Canada.
"We've won before, it is possible to win again," Nataanii said, describing some of those victories.
"I have faith we can stop this pipeline through divestment."
Nataanii described the Tour to Europe, and how Water Protector Rachel Heaton, Muckleshoot, worked hard in Seattle for Wells Fargo to divest in DAPL.
As for Credit Suisse in Geneva, he said, "They are heartless. They have no soul." He said the bank's sustainability officer flew in from Zurich.
Nataanii asked for help in this fight.
"You have voices and can go places we can't."
Urging people to struggle to save this Planet, he also urged the people here not to let it get to the point where the water is flammable.
Due to imminent domain, the people didn't even have a chance to say 'No' and stop DAPL.
Nataanii said the Earth will heal itself, but the people must be humbled.
"Keep fighting, keep up the resistance."
Nataanii told the people here, to keep up the resistance, and the knowledge, because it is helping.
Nataanii Means joined Water Protectors from Standing Rock Camp, Rachel Heaton, Muckleshoot from Washington State; Waste Win Young, Dakota Lakota from Standing Rock; and Rafael Gonzalez, Dakota from Minneapolis. The Tour concluded in Spain and Italy, and included 11 countries in Europe.

June 15, 2017

Nataanii Means Meets with Spain's Parliament as Water Protectors Urge Divestment

Nataanii Means meeting with members of Spain's Parliament. Photo courtesy Nataanii Means
Nataanii Means, Dine' Lakota from Chinle on the Navajo Nation, met with members of Parliament in Spain, as Water Protectors from Standing Rock camps concluded their 11 Country Tour of Europe

By Nataanii Nez Means, Dine' Lakota
Censored News
Today we met with MP's from Spanish parliament, asking that they take action with BBVA, a Spanish bank that is invested in fossil fuel extraction on Turtle Island (DAPL and other pipelines). We asked that regulations be made for free and prior informed consent with indigenous nations and also transparency with their investments. I can say that this specific party in Spanish parliament, from my understanding is very new, but is also very progressive with stopping fracking and other destructions of Mother Earth. This isn't my normal course of taking action but I'm learning a lot and education is key in these fights.
So yeah. That was my day. Now I'm in Barcelona, two more days, one more show, and I'm heading home.
I ain't gonna lie, it's was very difficult being in the Spanish Congress knowing the history that has happened in the southwest, and all the other invaded territories they occupied, also the doctrine of discovery. But I've had good conversations with everyone I've talked with. Still, it's difficult.

-- June 12, 2017
Celebrating Water Protectors from Standing Rock Camps in Barcelona, Spain
Photo by Rachel Heaton, Muckleshoot

Nataanii Nez Means on European Tour

Nataanii Nez Means, son of Gloria Grant Means of Chinle on the Navajo Nation and Lakota activist Russell Means, performed as a Hip Hop artist on the 11 country tour of Europe, with Rafael Gonzalez, Dakota from Minneapolis. With Waste Win Young, Dakota Lakota from Standing Rock, and Rachael Heaton, Muckleshoot from Washington State, water protectors from Standing Rock camps, urged divestment in Dakota Access Pipeline and fossil fuel extraction, investing in clean energy, and respect for Indigenous rights. While meeting with members of Spain's Parliament, Means urged respect and compliance with the U.N. Declaration of Rights for Indigenous Peoples, which requires free, prior and informed consent before entering the territories of Indigenous Peoples for development.
Congress of Deputies of Spain
The Congress of Deputies of Spain, commonly referred to as simply the Congress of Deputies (SpanishCongreso de los DiputadosBasqueDiputatuen KongresuaCatalanCongrés dels DiputatsGalicianCongreso dos Deputados) is the lower house of the Cortes GeneralesSpain's legislative branch. It is located in the Palace of the Parliament (Plaza de las CortesMadrid).
It has 350 members elected by constituencies (matching Spanish provinces) by proportional representation using the D'Hondt method. Congressmen serve four-year terms. The President of the Congress of Deputies is the analogue to a speaker and presides over debates.
In the Congress, members of the Parliament from the political parties, or groups of parties, form parliamentary groups. Groups must be formed by at least 15 MPs, but a group can also be formed with only five MPs if the parties got at least 5% of the nationwide vote, or 15% of the votes in the constituencies in which they ran. The MPs belonging to parties who cannot create their own parliamentary group form the Mixed Group. -- Wikipedia

June 14, 2017

Water Protector 'Tufawon' Shares Struggle with Basque in Spain





Photos courtesy Isf Euskadi 

Article by Brenda Norrell
Censored News

Water Protector from Standing Rock camp Rafael Gonzalez, Tufawon, Dakota from Minneapolis, shared the message and struggle of Water of Life, with Basque in Spain as the 11 Country Tour of Europe concludes. Gonzalez, hip hop artist, performed throughout Europe. Gonzalez was joined by Nataanii Means, Dine' Lakota; Waste Win Young, Dakota Lakota from Standing Rock; and Rachel Heaton, Muckleshoot, on the Tour.
Spain and Italy were the last stops on the 11 Country Tour.
Rafael said, "Days ago, I was in Bologna, Italy with a group of activists from Làbas a political collective currently occupying the former Caserma Masini building/space. We did a critical mass bank action targeting Intensa San Paolo, one of several European banks funding the Dakota Access Pipeline. They are invested €349 million. We wrote a letter to the Carlo Messina and biked there to deliver it. Police in riot gear were waiting as they protected corporate interests. Although the bank did not send a representative to accept our letter, we made our message clear and I'm confident they hear our voices. We will not be silenced, and we will continue to put pressure on these banks that support the genocide, environmental genocide, environmental racism, and the desecration of our sacred land. Please join our struggle as we continue to fight the same colonial oppression we've faced for 500 years."
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"We are here to stop exploitation of Mother Earth. We are no longer going to sit in silence as Indigenous People. We are here to reclaim the land."
Rafael Gonzalez
Questa mattina abbiamo fatto visita alla Carisbo assieme a Tufawon, water protector del North Dakota in lotta contro l'oleodotto DAPL. Ecco cos'è successo!
#NOG7 #DIVESTDAPL Translation: This morning we visited the Carisbo with Tufawon Water Protector, North Dakota in the fight against the pipeline ADHD.
More
Scroll through Censored News for coverage of the 11 Country European Tour by Standing Rock Water Protectors. They urged divestment from Dakota Access Pipeline and fossil fuels, and investing in clean energy. Water Protectors carried the message of  respect for Indigenous Rights as they spoke at the United Nations, led the Anti-Trump Parade at NATO, and urged banks in Paris and Switzerland to divest in Dakota Access Pipeline. They met with grassroots defenders of the Earth throughout Europe, who are battling coal mines, fracking, oil and gas drilling.
Censored News

Read more about Basque Country, Spain

July 2, 2013

European countries deny airspace, put Bolivian President's life in danger over Snowden fear


Portugal, France, Spain and Italy refuse Bolivian President Evo Morales airspace over Snowden asylum fear

South American countries furious, say European countries are now colonies of the US, and violated international law

Bolivian President Evo Morales (L) and the Bolivian Defence Minister Ruben Saavedra Soto at the airport in Vienna, Austria Photograph: HELMUT FOHRINGER/EPA
President Morales plane has left Austria: Live coverage at The Guardian:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/03/edward-snowden-asylum-live?CMP=twt_gu

Excerpt from El Telegrafo, English translation by Censored News

Bolivia said today that Portugal and France put Bolivian President Evo Morales life in danger when they denied his entry into their airspace over the fear that whistleblower Edward Snowden was onboard.
In an emergency press conference, Bolivia's Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca flatly denied that Snowden is flying to Bolivia on the plane of President Evo Morales. Morales, who eventually landed in Vienna, criticized the actions and said the denial was an injustice based on unfounded suspicions. 
Choquehuanca said that half an hour before landing to refuel in Lisbon on his return trip from Moscow, authorities said the airspace permission was revoked. Shortly after, a notification was received from France prohibiting overfly over their territory. 
Choquehuanca said that this act was an attack on the President's life, since Morales was denied airspace over France and Portugal and then made an emergency landing in Vienna, Austria. 
"Portugal and France have to explain why the flight was canceled over airspace. This action was an attempt on the life of President Morales."

Espanol: