Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

December 16, 2008

Roberto Rodriguez: Why Bush Will Walk



AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM: JUSTICE WE CAN BELIEVE IN OR WHY BUSH WILL WALK


BY ROBERTO DR CINTLI RODRIGUEZ
Column of the Americas, Dec. 16, 2008

The President ducked two shoes in Iraq recently, just as he will inexplicably also be able to walk away from his office, without the worry of ever having to duck Nancy Pelosi's heels -- without ever having to face impeachment by a complicit Congress. Read column:
http://censored-news.blogspot.com/2008/12/roberto-rodriguez-why-bush-will-walk.html

Shellmound Walkers Honor Ohlone Ancestors

Shellmound Walk by those that respect the Ohlone ancestors and honor Sacred Burial Grounds

by Francisco Da Costa
Every year the Shellmound Walkers visit the various Shellmounds, Sacred Burial Grounds in the Bay Area and pay their respects to the Ohlone ancestors. The First People of San Francisco and the Bay Area. We have many Shellmounds, the San Bruno Mountains, the Bayview Hill, the two hills that were but demolished by the U.S. Navy at Hunters Point. Other Shellmounds that one can read about, if they go to any decent Library.
Shellmounds are Sacred Burial Grounds and the First People have Patrimonial Jurisdiction over these Sacred Sites.
Of course in San Francisco, the Bay Area, the various Cities and Counties do not respect the Ohlone, because they are NOT on the Federal Register. Imagine being treated as second class citizens in America, the home of the First People, the Native American.
The Ohlone were here for over 10,000 years all carbon dated and documented.
The United States Government signed treaties -- eighteen to be precise -- and never, ever ratified them. Some tribes were on the Federal Register, but the Bureau of Indian Affairs chose to remove some Tribes without justification from the Federal Register.
Case in point the Muwekma Ohlone. The Muwekma Ohlone were on the Federal Register until 1927 and then illegaly removed by one L.A. Dorrington, a Bureau of Indian Affairs agent.
The Shellmounds are healing points that I believe are important. But, to see them as healing points, one must be educated on issues. Of course be sensitive to the Native American.
Until 1924 it was legal to kill any Native American -- no questions asked -- think about that for a second. The land was stolen: Native American women raped and killed and with them innocent children. Such atrocities cry to heaven for restitution and of course there is Karma.
Those that practice “Greed” destroy what is good by polluting, desecrating the graves, and do injustice to all that should be respected. They foul the air and bring disgrace on the human race.
We have atrocities committed in the Bay Area and we witness it mostly with the remains linked to the Ohlone, when found are not treated with respect.
The Shellmound Walkers walk miles and bring honor and respect to the millions they represent every year. It is always a pleasure to see the Shellmound Walkers, in action and witness their acts of kindness.
This year the Shellmound Walk started on November 14 and end November 28, 2008.
Enjoy the photographs:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/franciscodacosta/sets/72157610035672130/show/
Francisco Da Costa, Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/11/24/18552775.php

Blackfire and Indigenous Rights in California

Blackfire and Indigenous Rights in California
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Brenda-Norrell

By Brenda Norrell
LOS ANGELES -- On Censored Blog Radio, Clayson Benally of Blackfire, the Navajo family band that captured the Native American Music Award Record of the Year and Native Heart Award for "Silence is a Weapon," speaks to Native American youths about remaining true to themselves. While holding his 10-month-old daughter in downtown Los Angeles, Benally also shares the joy of being a new parent.

Benally reflects on racism and colonialism in the US and describes Blackfire's travels around the world. Blackfire is comprised of Clayson, his sister Jeneda and brother Klee. With both traditional and rock sounds, the award winning Blackfire band inspires Native Americans to resist oppression and injustice and protect sacred places, including San Francisco Peaks. Blackfire has become a symbol of hope for Indigenous Peoples around the world resisting tyranny.
Next, Censored Blog Radio focuses on Indigenous rights in California, from sacred places to southern California racism. On American Indian Airways, Dr. Michelle Rehaja, Seneca professor, describes racism and colonialism at her child's school during Thanksgiving, fueled by rightwing radio. The situation was so serious that police patrols had to be increased in her neighborhood.

Then, on Alcatraz at sunrise, California Natives Joey Silva and Mark LeBeau speak about Pitt River and Medicine Lake. Quanah Parker, whose father Lehman Brightman founded United Native Americans in the 60s, and Charlie Hill speak on human rights. Mohawk Mark Maracle speaks on prisons and reservations, recorded by Alcatraz Free Radio.

Keith Secola at the AIM West 40-Year Reunion sings Fry Bread and NDN Cars. Yankton Dakota protesting the hog farm in South Dakota offer a song, recorded by Earthcycles. The final sound is Blackfire's "Silence is a Weapon."
Listen to Censored Blog Radio:
Photo: Clayson Benally with his daughter in Los Angeles. Alcatraz Sunrise Gathering, November 2008. Photos Brenda Norrell

December 15, 2008

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.