By Brenda Norrell
Thanks to all of you for the information you've sent for this blog. There's currently a tremendous amount of censored and under-reported news, especially on border and American Indian issues.
I've hit the jackpot with incoming e-mails about the Counterpunch "Border Spy Towers," article, especially insulting ones. Thanks to all of you who wrote, especially those people who shared their love of Arivaca and researchers exposing the sham of border environmental assessments.
Scroll down and compare the news to what is in your local newspaper. If an issue is censored or well-covered, please drop me a note: brendanorrell@gmail.com
July 22, 2007
Free the children in Hutto-Taylor, Texas
JOIN THE CESAR E. CHAVEZ "FREEDOM BUS"
FREE THE CHILDREN AT HUTTO- TAYLOR TEXAS
The struggle for defending the human rights of the children at "Hutto" is a growing movement that we as activist must continue, until "ALL PRISONS FOR PROFIT ARE CLOSED." GANDHI once said " I HAVE NOTHING NEW TO TEACH THE WORLD. TRUTH AND NON-VIOLLENCE ARE AS OLD AS THE HILLS." The results of any movement is an extraordinary account of all of us as we grow together in a lifelong experience of in our involvements for justice, every incident, every educational and working experience, every human encounter bring forth social change and liberation. We can have a tremendous influence in liberating the immigrant families and children at these prisons for profit if we unite in these movement to free the children at Hutto. I invite all of the people who want to join in our movement, the Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice organizing committee to come to "Hutto" this Saturday, July 21, and join our "Freedom Bus" Caravans.
We will be leaving, this Saturday JULY 21, at 10:30 am from our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 1321 El Paso. call: Jaime P. Martinez, 210-842-9339,Claudia Sanchez, 210-355-4050,Tony Mandujano, 210-255-7647, to get on the "Cesar E. Chavez Freedom Bus to Free the Children at Hutto.
In Unity;
Jaime P. Martinez, Founder, Chairperson
"Organizer First Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice"
San Antonio Texas - SI SE PUDO
MIGRANT BABY JAIL CELL in HUTTO, TEXAS
(USA Today) A cell with a baby bed and children's toys is shown at the T. Don Hutto Residential Center in Taylor, Texas. The detention facility houses immigrant families awaiting deportation. Officials with Immigration and Customs Enforcement describe the facility as a residential, nonsecure environment that keeps families together. However, advocacy groups say "it's a prison" and that separation and threats of separation were used as disciplinary tools on adults and children.LM Otero, Pool via AP
USA Today: Migrant jails in Texas and Pennsylvania
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-02-22-immigration-detention_x.htm
FREE THE CHILDREN AT HUTTO- TAYLOR TEXAS
The struggle for defending the human rights of the children at "Hutto" is a growing movement that we as activist must continue, until "ALL PRISONS FOR PROFIT ARE CLOSED." GANDHI once said " I HAVE NOTHING NEW TO TEACH THE WORLD. TRUTH AND NON-VIOLLENCE ARE AS OLD AS THE HILLS." The results of any movement is an extraordinary account of all of us as we grow together in a lifelong experience of in our involvements for justice, every incident, every educational and working experience, every human encounter bring forth social change and liberation. We can have a tremendous influence in liberating the immigrant families and children at these prisons for profit if we unite in these movement to free the children at Hutto. I invite all of the people who want to join in our movement, the Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice organizing committee to come to "Hutto" this Saturday, July 21, and join our "Freedom Bus" Caravans.
We will be leaving, this Saturday JULY 21, at 10:30 am from our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 1321 El Paso. call: Jaime P. Martinez, 210-842-9339,Claudia Sanchez, 210-355-4050,Tony Mandujano, 210-255-7647, to get on the "Cesar E. Chavez Freedom Bus to Free the Children at Hutto.
In Unity;
Jaime P. Martinez, Founder, Chairperson
"Organizer First Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice"
San Antonio Texas - SI SE PUDO
MIGRANT BABY JAIL CELL in HUTTO, TEXAS
(USA Today) A cell with a baby bed and children's toys is shown at the T. Don Hutto Residential Center in Taylor, Texas. The detention facility houses immigrant families awaiting deportation. Officials with Immigration and Customs Enforcement describe the facility as a residential, nonsecure environment that keeps families together. However, advocacy groups say "it's a prison" and that separation and threats of separation were used as disciplinary tools on adults and children.LM Otero, Pool via AP
USA Today: Migrant jails in Texas and Pennsylvania
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-02-22-immigration-detention_x.htm
Mato Paha Spiritual Forum, Rapid City, August 5, 2007
Debra White Plume
Owe Aku, Bring Back the Way
Manderson, SD 57756-0325
605-455-2155 Voice Ph
lakota1@gwtc.net
www.bringbacktheway.com
From Alex White Plume:
All the Lakota holy men will gather, too many years have passed without input or direction for our spirtual leaders. We will obey their decision.
Wopila, Alex White Plume
The Mato Paha Spiritual Forum: Religious Freedom and Human Rights will be held on
Sunday, August 5, 2007 beginning at 1:00pm in the afternoon at the Mother Butler
Center in Rapid City, South Dakota.
The Forum will gather Traditional Healers (Medicine Men) and Spiritual Leaders
from the Oglala Band, Sicanju Band, Hohwoju Band of the Lakota Nation, and the
Mdewakantonwan Band, and Sissetonwan Band of the Dakota Nation, and Arapahoe and
Cheyenne Nations. The Healers and Leaders will come together to provide ancestral
teachings regarding the spiritual significance of Bear Butte (Mato Paha) to the
Oceti Sakowin (Great Sioux Nation) in the spiritual and cultural life-way of the
people.
Guest speakers also include Chief Oliver Red Cloud of the Lakota
Nation, Chief Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Onondaga Nation, noted scholar Henrietta Mann, Cheyenne; and stateswoman Rosalie Little Thunder of the Seventh
Generation Fund and South Dakota Peace and Justice. Reverend Gail Arnold of the SD
Association of Christian Churches and John Sprague of the Christian Peacemaker Team
will speak as well regarding Human Rights and Religious Freedom.
The Mato Paha Forum is the first time in decades that Traditional
Healers (Medicine Men) from across many Tribal Nations have come together in
one forum to speak to the people regarding sacred places and the traditional Lakota
way of life, as well as sharing the Forum with the Christian Churches from the
region, and from a global organization such as the Christian Peacemaker Team.
Organizers of the Forum have scheduled this event to provide awareness to the
general public in light of the increasing controversy over development related to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally that is occurring near Bear Butte.
The Guest Speakers are each well-known in the Human Rights and Freedom
of Religion arena, from their work in their own Tribal Nation communities
to organizations with a global view and impact.
The Mato Paha Forum is open to all, and all people from all walks of
life are welcome to attend. There will be Lakota Drum Groups and Singers present
and an evening meal is offered to all participants.
The Mato Paha Forum is sponsored by Bring Back the Way, the Black Hills
Sioux Nation Treaty Council, Horse Owner’s Society, and the Seventh
Generation Fund.
For more information please call Debra White Plume 605-455-2155.
Owe Aku, Bring Back the Way
Manderson, SD 57756-0325
605-455-2155 Voice Ph
lakota1@gwtc.net
www.bringbacktheway.com
From Alex White Plume:
All the Lakota holy men will gather, too many years have passed without input or direction for our spirtual leaders. We will obey their decision.
Wopila, Alex White Plume
The Mato Paha Spiritual Forum: Religious Freedom and Human Rights will be held on
Sunday, August 5, 2007 beginning at 1:00pm in the afternoon at the Mother Butler
Center in Rapid City, South Dakota.
The Forum will gather Traditional Healers (Medicine Men) and Spiritual Leaders
from the Oglala Band, Sicanju Band, Hohwoju Band of the Lakota Nation, and the
Mdewakantonwan Band, and Sissetonwan Band of the Dakota Nation, and Arapahoe and
Cheyenne Nations. The Healers and Leaders will come together to provide ancestral
teachings regarding the spiritual significance of Bear Butte (Mato Paha) to the
Oceti Sakowin (Great Sioux Nation) in the spiritual and cultural life-way of the
people.
Guest speakers also include Chief Oliver Red Cloud of the Lakota
Nation, Chief Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Onondaga Nation, noted scholar Henrietta Mann, Cheyenne; and stateswoman Rosalie Little Thunder of the Seventh
Generation Fund and South Dakota Peace and Justice. Reverend Gail Arnold of the SD
Association of Christian Churches and John Sprague of the Christian Peacemaker Team
will speak as well regarding Human Rights and Religious Freedom.
The Mato Paha Forum is the first time in decades that Traditional
Healers (Medicine Men) from across many Tribal Nations have come together in
one forum to speak to the people regarding sacred places and the traditional Lakota
way of life, as well as sharing the Forum with the Christian Churches from the
region, and from a global organization such as the Christian Peacemaker Team.Organizers of the Forum have scheduled this event to provide awareness to the
general public in light of the increasing controversy over development related to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally that is occurring near Bear Butte.
The Guest Speakers are each well-known in the Human Rights and Freedom
of Religion arena, from their work in their own Tribal Nation communities
to organizations with a global view and impact.
The Mato Paha Forum is open to all, and all people from all walks of
life are welcome to attend. There will be Lakota Drum Groups and Singers present
and an evening meal is offered to all participants.
The Mato Paha Forum is sponsored by Bring Back the Way, the Black Hills
Sioux Nation Treaty Council, Horse Owner’s Society, and the Seventh
Generation Fund.
For more information please call Debra White Plume 605-455-2155.
July 20, 2007
'Hands across el Rio' border wall protest
Here's the official itinerary for Hands Across el Rio -- a 1250 mile, 17 day protest against the border wall:
Yesterday, we received the commitment of El Paso to support our project with a press conference on August 25th and a send off on August 26th. Folks in the Big Bend region want to support the Presidio-Ojinaga event on August 28th. Both Mayors of Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña are pledged to support the event 31st. Mayor Chad Foster of Eagle Pass is in touch with the Alcalde of Piedras Negras to receive us on September 1st.
Mexican Congresswoman, Maria Dolores Gonzales-Mendivil will lead the coordination of Los Dos Laredos Hands Across el Rio on September 2nd. She is also coordinating support to the four Mexican neighboring states of Texas, the alcaldes along el Rio Bravo (mayors on the Mexican side) and Mexican consuls. We're lining up similar commitments from Roma-Miguel Aleman, Rio Grande City-Camargo, Los Ebanos-Diaz Ordaz, McAllen/Hidalgo-Reynosa on down to Brownsville-Matamoros on September 8th. We will finish our journey at the mouth of the Rio Grande at Boca Chica on Sunday, September 9th.
LULAC National, Rosa Rosales, President and Jaime Martinez, Treasurer, have committed their support of Hand Across el Rio. The same is true of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. We anticipate the support of many other organizations and coalitions, from environmental, cultural, economic, political, faith based and tourism
With the exception of El Paso y Juarez...we will launch kayaks and canoes upriver from each principal international pedestrian bridge. Any one who wants to join our flotillas for any portion or any day of this historical event is welcome to do so. Kayaks, canoes, inner-tubes. We will paddle down river to each international bridge respectively and meet up with fellow grass roots citizens from both sides of our Rio who are opposed to the wall. As we experienced in Roma and Miguel Aleman this past weekend...we will be inviting the grass roots folks from both sides of el Rio...to form a human chain in symbol of our border solidarity and amistad.
As Mayor Chad Foster says..."We're joined at the hip". That’s something that folks like Lou Dobbs and members of Congress who have never lived inside the checkpoints do not understand. Our Congressmen and Texas legislators from the border region have spoken out against the border wall. The Texas Border Coalition of our border mayors, judges and economic experts have all spoken in our behalf...in solidarity...against the wall. Our border sheriffs have spoken out against the wall. No one in Washington is listening to them. Now...we the people of the Rio Grand Corridor...from both sides of el Rio...must make our voices heard. "NO Border Wall...!" "Hell NO!!!
We can tell the Congress and the national media all day long that we who live on the border live in friendship with our neighbors on the other side of el Rio. We can tell them that we don't want to be in a militarized zone...on American soil...here in Texas. Now...we will show them why we don’t need one. We get along just fine!
En amistad and solidarity…
Jay
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jay J. Johnson-Castro, Sr
jay@villadelrio.com
Border protests in Texas
Email from Jay Johnson-Castro
A smashing success...!!!
On Saturday (July 14)...two significant protests against the wall were held. Thought I'd give a brief summary on both.
On Saturday morning, Betty Perez and company...or the Lower Rio Grande Valley area...coordinated a flotilla of kayaks and canoes. Betty was the coordinator of this event...which was hosted by "noborderwalls"...a group of environmentally savvy folks (groups.yahoo.com/group/noborderwall ). To my knowledge...this is the most cohesive group on the US-Mexico border so far. It includes some caliber minds from around the Valley who are using their creative juices to collectively oppose the wall.
We launched up river from Roma in a secluded village along the banks of the Rio Grande called Fronton. Media was converged in ample numbers...including AP, Reuters, San Antonio Express News, Univision, local CBS and a diverse group of local journalists.
We floated down to the historic suspension bridge that connects Roma and Miguel Aleman. The Miguel Aleman Mayor joined the flotilla. His family was on the bank downriver as we paddled by. When we got to the suspension bridge...there was a rally, press conference...and then...a "Hands Across the River". A human chain that virtually stretched across the international bridge.
In the evening, we attended a protest in Brownsville. I was coordinated and hosted by a group called CASA, under the direction of Elizabeth Garcia. Again, the media was plentiful. After a rally, there was another human chain...which felt more symbolically a human wall along the banks of Rio Grande...in opposition to the border wall. After the chain...there was a march from the park through downtown to the campus of the University of Texas Brownsville (see photos at Unidos Contra El Muro).
In both cases, elected officials showed up in support. The diversity of participants reflected those of us who reside on the border. There was no lack of color, size, age, religious affiliation. There was not lack of opposition to the wall. Lots of interviews were taken. Lots of pictures and video. Lots of sound bites...of diversified feelings about the wall. Mission accomplished!
This took the collaboration, coordination and willingness on the part of many folks...who may not have been heard or had their quotes or pics in the paper and on TV. Hopefully you can feel the reward of seeing the fruits of their labor. We're grateful to you...
Jay
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