O'odham: Border Patrol protesters call for more action

NEWS RELEASE Monday January 31, 2011
Contact: Alex Soto Email: stopbordermilitarization@gmail.com
Update: Events in Tucson, Flagstaff and Phoenix. Feb. 2011:http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2011/02/all-out-against-borders.html

Border Patrol Headquarters Occupation Protesters to Fight Charges
Group Calls for Further Action Against Border Militarization
TUCSON -- On February 23, 2011, 2:00 PM at Tucson City Court, five of the six protesters who locked-down and occupied the US Border Patrol Tucson Headquarters on May 21, 2010 are going to trial fighting one count each of "criminal trespassing". One of the six has chosen to take a diversion.

The action was taken, in part, to demand that BP, Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), their parent entity, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Obama administration end militarization of the border, end the criminalization of immigrant communities, and end their campaign of terror which rips families apart through increasing numbers of raids and deportations.

Alex Soto, one of the arrestees and member of O'odham Solidarity Across Borders states, "As we did not enter the BP headquarters alone but with prayers of O'odham elders and community supporters, we are asking for support once again for our continued stand against border militarization. Our messaging is the reality for everyone that is forced to feel the pain that borders inflict upon us in our daily lives. The Border Patrol is not the only agency responsible for the militarization of the border – and it's subsequent destruction of Indigenous and migrant communities – or the only benefactors of border militarization." Soto states.

In a previous release O'odham Solidarity Across Borders and O'odham elders stated, "The development of the border wall has lead to desecration of Tohono O'odham ancestors graves, it has divided communities and prevents O'odham from accessing sacred places. Troops and paramilitary law enforcement, detention camps, check points, and citizenship verification are not a solution to "issues" of migration. Indigenous Peoples have existed here long before these imposed borders, elders inform us that we always honored freedom of movement. Why are Indigenous communities and the daily deaths at the border ignored? The impacts of border militarization are constantly made invisible in the media, the popular culture of this country and even the mainstream immigrants rights movement which has often pushed for “reform” that means further militarization of the border, which means increased suffering for Indigenous communities. Border militarization destroys Indigenous communities."

Since the creation of the current U.S./Mexico border, 45 O’odham villages on or near the border have been completely depopulated.

According to the migrant support group No More Deaths, from October 2009 to Sept. 2010 there have been more than 250 deaths on the Arizona border alone.

Actions toward ending border militarization and the decriminalization of our communities:
- Immediately withdraw National Guard Troops from the US/Mexico border
- Immediately halt development of the border wall
- Immediately remove drones and checkpoints
- Decommission all detention camps and release all presently held undocumented migrants
- Immediately honor Indigenous Peoples rights of self-determination
- Fully comply with the recently signed UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Respect Indigenous People's inherent right of migration
- End NAFTA, FTAA and other trade agreements
- Immediately repeal SB1070 and 287g
- End all racial profiling
- No BP encroachment/sweeps on sovereign Native land
- No raids and deportations
- Immediate and unconditional regularization (“legalization”) of all people
- Uphold human freedom and rights
- Support dignity and respect
- Support and ensure freedom of movement for all people

Put this message in action and help end the attack on Indigenous and migrant communities. Take these messages to the street where you are. If you can, join us inside and outside the court room in Tucson at 2:00pm. on February 23, 2011.
Tucson City Court is located at 103 E. Alameda St. Tucson, AZ.

Additional ways to take action in your community to bring awareness to the impacts of the militarization of the border and criminalization of our communities:

1. Directly intervene by:
- Protesting institutions and agencies directly responsible (a brief list available at: http://www.survivalsolidarity.wordpress.com/)
- Being part of (or starting) Border Patrol, ICE, National Guard, Minutemen watch groups in your community
- Stopping ICE vehicles from deporting migrants
- Providing aid for migrants crossing the border

2. Pressure political officials:
Janet Napolitano
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
Comment Line: 202-282-8495

3. Organize or attend an awareness or benefit event:
An awareness and benefit show will be held in Tucson on February 22nd at Dry River Infoshop.
A discussion on border issues will be held in Flagstaff, AZ on February 22nd at Taala Hooghan Infoshop.

4. Donate to Border Action Defense Fund:
http://www.borderopposition.blogspot.com/

5. Support local Indigenous struggles for self-determination and freedom of movement.
In particular, bring awareness to Indigenous communities on the US/Mex border that have been militarized.

To view the occupation video and for additional resources please visit:
http://www.oodhamsolidarity.blogspot.com/
http://www.survivalsolidarity.wordpress.com/

Fat Takers and the return to awareness of nature

Mohawk John Kane: 'Nature will always be there to teach'

By Brenda Norrell

Censored News

http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com

Photo: Schools for Chiapas published with permission

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National Congress of American Indians President Jefferson Keel's State of Indian Nations address earned him the title "Fat Taker," from Lakotas. Mohawk John Kane responded with a reminder that the truths within nature are always there for people to return to, when they have lost their way.

Keel’s address earned him the title “Fat Taker,” for his focus on the Rape of Mother Earth, exploiting the land and resources for profits, without regard to the health of the people or resources such as clean water for future generations.

Debra White Plume, Lakota on Pine Ridge Indian land in South Dakota, said, "Some 'Indians' are Fat Takers in disguise, think nothing about raping Mother Earth, Ina Maka, Unci Maka -- so long as they get the 'best price.'"

Mohawk John Kane said an awareness of nature is there for people to return to.

"Our culture was based on and committed to nature. Those that have tried to transform our knowledge and teachings into beliefs or religion have lost their way. The good news is that nature will always be there to teach even when we fail to."

"We could lose every word or act our ancestors ever tried to hand down and get it all back if we just can return to respecting our relationship to creation. No great spirit, no hocus pocus, no faith; just awareness. Of course we will never lose all that those that came before us tried to leave for us but we certainly can continue to misinterpret things as the last 7 or 8 generations have," Kane said.

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John Kane's Native Radio, "Let's Talk Native Pride," is on the web:
http://letstalknativepride.blogspot.com

Photos Schools for Chiapas: Silence of the Harvest

Schools for Chiapas, photos by Peter Brown, published with permission

"Si l@s zapatist@s están en silencio. Casi total. Pero están sembrando, están cosechando. Están presentes ~ vivas y vivos . . . fuertes. Esperando.

Yes, the zapatistas are “in silence." Their silence is almost total. But they are also planning, harvesting. They are present ~ the women and men are alive . . . and strong. Waiting."

Schools for Chiapas:
http://www.schoolsforchiapas.org/english.html

Censored: Abuse of Indian elders, abuse of the land

NCAI president 'Fat Taker,' for focus on rape of Mother Earth

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/
Photo Brenda Norrell/southern border
There was more news censored in Indian country during the month of January 2011, than any other period in recent history. The lack of real reporting reflects both the sharp decline of reporters in American Indian communities and the increased corporate control of the media.

The abuse of Chief Red Cloud and elderly Lakota women at a secret meeting on the Oglala Tribal Council in South Dakota is the top news story at Censored News. Among the most censored topics in the news this week is the reaction to the address of National Congress of American Indians President Jefferson Keel.

Keel’s State of the Indian Nations address earned him the title “Fat Taker,” from Lakotas, for his focus on the Rape of Mother Earth, exploiting the land and resources for profits, without regard to the health of the people or resources such as clean water for future generations.

Debra White Plume, Lakota on Pine Ridge Indian land in South Dakota, said, "Some 'Indians' are Fat Takers in disguise, think nothing about raping Mother Earth, Ina Maka, Unci Maka -- so long as they get the 'best price.'"

The Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council’s passed two resolutions that were censored by most Native American media. The Black Hills Treaty Council demanded the release of Leonard Peltier. A separate resolution rejected the limited and conditional support by the United States of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

“In the first paragraph of the ‘support’ statement they make it is clear that the Declaration is in no way a legal document, nor are they bound by it,” the Black Hills Treaty Council said, exposing a fact ignored by most media.

The true war at the US Mexico border, fueled by US corporate profiteering and the xenophobia engineered by politicians and the media, was exposed in the censorship of the trial of the murder of a nine-year-old girl in Arizona.

Brisenia Flores was murdered by Shawna Forde, a female member of the racist anti-migrant hate group the Minutemen, and two other assailants, according to Brisenia's mother who survived gunshot wounds. The trial of Forde is now underway in Tucson. Brisenia's father was murdered during the home invasion south of Tucson in Arivaca near the border.

The US media refuses to expose the real war at the border and the underlying climate of hate toward people of color. The media refuses to report on the danger posed by racist hate groups, including the Minutemen and white separatist groups at the border.

In this mine field of hate, racism and white supremacy, the Minutemen have operated with impunity at the Arizona border. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, the Arizona State Legislature and Maricopa Sheriff Joe Arpaio promote violence and racial hatred. With racist legislation and excessive police force, this trio also provides the private prison industry with profits from incarcerating people of color.

Arizona is a staging area for white supremacy rule in other states.

The assaults and murders at the southern and northern borders are not limited to white separatist militia, but the violence is also perpetrated by US and Canadian border guards and police, especially for American Indians living on the border, including the O‘odham in the south and the Mohawks in the north.

Kahentinetha Horn, 71, publisher of Mohawk Nation News, was recently served with charges after suffering a heart attack from a stress hold applied by Canadian Border Guards at the Akwesasne/Cornwall border in 2008. With no funds to defend herself in court, she pleaded guilty in January to obstruction and the assault charge was dropped. The obstruction charge was then discharged.

Navajos protested outside the uranium-funded inauguration of newly elected Navajo leaders in Window Rock, Ariz. The community of Church Rock, N.M., the site of the deadliest uranium tailing spill in history, is now targeted by Uranium Resources, Inc., for new uranium mining that could poison the water supply of Navajos. The inauguration committee of President Ben Shelly, Vice President Rex Jim and new council delegates, accepted $10,000 from URI. The corporate-friendly Associated Press did not cover the protest.

Navajo filmmaker Arlene Bowman, who now makes her home in Vancouver, BC, responded to the “Mississippi Burning,” style racist attack by Virginia State Police on Leadhorse Choctaw and an Indigenous youth film crew from Akwesasne. The voices of yelling racist Virginia police were recorded.

In her article, Bowman points out how film and video can document the unjust racist attacks of police in the US. Bowman lived with this racism targeting Indians during her years in Los Angeles, where she received a master’s degree in filmmaking. In January, Leadhorse Choctaw served 10 days in jail for obstruction, and then joined the Akwesasne crew and carried blankets and donations to Lakotas at Pine Ridge.

In January, a law firm apologized for one of its attorneys insulting a Yaqui prayer during the memorial for shooting victims in Tucson. “Ugly” was the word that columnist and attorney Paul Mirengoff used to describe the Yaqui prayer in Mirengoff's Power Line blog. Mirengoff is a partner in Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld, with numerous American Indian clients across the US.

In this week’s top censored news story in Indian country, the Strong Heart Warrior Society said Lakota elders were assaulted and threatened with a gun by Tribal Councilwoman Deborah Rooks-Cook, from the Oglala District. The attack occurred outside a secret meeting of the Oglala Tribal Council, an entity manufactured by the US government.

“Respected Lakota Elders, including Chief Oliver Red Cloud, 89-year-old Marie Randall, Loraine White Face, 69, and 1973 Wounded Knee participant Cecilia Martin, were visiting the tribal offices to request a new building for the elderly in the Porcupine community of Pine Ridge,” the Strong Heart Warrior Society said.

The elders were cursed and hit by the tribal councilwoman, who pulled a gun on them. The police refused to arrest Rooks-Cook.

Carter Camp, Ponca and Wounded Knee warrior responded. “These Elders have been in the struggle for as long as I can remember. They deserve our love and respect. Chief Red Cloud is a powerful voice and the Council better listen to him and his people."

In global Indigenous news, Wikileaks continued to expose the US machinations in the global war on Indigenous Peoples for their resources, as the US media continued to fail.

The US Ambassador in Iceland said Iceland’s support of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was an “impediment” to US/Iceland relations at the UN.

In Chile, the US Embassy tracked Mapuche activists and questioned whether the Mapuche struggle encouraged Easter Islanders. The cables also exposed that the US trains police in Chile. Chilean police attacked Easter Islanders, Rapa Nui, on their ancestral lands in December, wounding innocent women and children. In another cable, Peru expresses concern over US arms sales to Chile.

The US Ambassador in Guatemala insulted Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu. The US diplomat claimed the president of Guatemala labeled Manchu a “fabrication,” and blamed her for a death, resulting from the struggle to defend the land. Menchu said the president is a liar during a radio broadcast.

Finally, the US Ambassador in Mexico attempted to state that the Zetas were not trained by the United States as Special Forces. However, the US Ambassador admits that the US can not deny the claim that the US trained Zetas, due to the lack of “paper,” (on black ops) and the fact that one of the Zetas trained by army special forces at Fort Bragg, N.C., was “forcibly” recruited into a life of crime with the Zetas.

The Zetas, the most notorious murderers and torturers in the drug war in Mexico, were originally trained as Special Forces and deserted. The Zetas training was also provided by notorious Guatemalan Kaibiles, who also received training from US Special Forces.

As Indigenous Peoples rise up to fight oppression and the theft of their lands for mining and destruction around the world, the National Congress of American Indians in the US failed the people as its president rallied with the "Fat Takers," and the secrecy and assault at the Oglala Tribal Council exposed the US manufactured tribal councils.
Read more articles at Censored News: http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/

This month's top news stories at Censored News:
Strong Heart Warrior Society: Lakota elders abused at secret council session
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2011/01/strong-heart-warrior-society-lakota.html
Mohawk Kahentinetha Horn: Resistance
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2011/01/mohawk-kahentinetha-horn-resistance.html
Akwesasne film crew in court after attack by racist Virginia State Police
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2011/01/akwesasne-film-crew-in-court-after.html
Navajos protest uranium-funded inauguration
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2011/01/censored-navajos-protest-uranium-funded.html
Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council rejects US limited support of UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2011/01/black-hills-treaty-council-rejects-us.html
Law firm apologizes for insulting Yaqui prayer
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2011/01/law-firm-apologizes-for-insulting-yaqui.html
Navajo filmmaker Arlene Bowman: Virginia police and Indigenous men in a van
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2011/01/arlene-bowman-virginia-police-and.html