Hello Brenda,
My name is Sandra Bermudez and I'm writing to thank you for reporting the attack on the Longest walkers in Ohio. I have 4 family members on the Northern route and I was deeply distressed to learn of the attack. I am completely outraged as are many many in this Native American community. My sister Arlene Austin and her two children Keisha and Kolton and my aunt Leona mean very much to us and I will not sit still and have them abused or attacked by anyone. I have sent emails to the Governor of Ohio and all of the Ohio Senators as well as the City of Columbus. I have encouraged everyone I know to do the same. I've also contacted Senator Barack Obama and John McCain since they are both needing the Native American vote. I sent them all copies of the articles concerning the Ohio attack. I have received some replies to look into it further. I called and emailed my state Senators as well. The office of Harry Reid-Speaker of the house took my phone call and was very concerned. I've emailed all the governors and senators of each state that the walkers will be walking through to ask that the walkers not be harassed by local and or state law enforcement for walking through their cities. I am so outraged by this and I am not one to sit silent. I appreciate your reporting and someday hope to meet you in person.
Sandra Bermudez
Please let the walkers know that we are praying for them all and that I for one am doing all I can to see that they get safe passage into Washington DC.
Published with permission at Censored News
Dear Brenda ...this is a copy of the letter I sent to the Columbus Dispatch city editor. I hope it helps....Sandra Bermudez
The Ohio Incident
Sunday, June 8, 2008 3:40 AM
From: "Sandy" <ladeelovesu@yahoo.com>
Add sender to Contacts To: clease@dispatch.com
This email is directed to Carol Ann Lease-city editor-Columbus Dispatch...
My name is Sandra Bermudez and I live here in Fallon Nevada. I have 3 family members who are participating in The Longest Walk 2 - A spiritual Walk across America. My sister Arlene and her two young children were among the people attacked by your city police. My young niece and nephew were traumatized by witnessing the attack on fellow walkers. My sister and her children worked for months holding car washes, raffles, bake sales, yard sales and even cleaning out horse stalls after a rodeo to earn the money to participate in this Spiritual Walk because it is a cause they deeply believe in. Are Native American children less important than Ohio children? How are the children involved supposed to view law enforcement now? I am absolutely outraged over this and I am asking why you haven't reported anything about this incident? It is a violation of human rights and I have emailed your State Governor and the Senators of your state as well as every Governor of every state in this country. Is this how Ohio treats visitors? I've also brought this to the attention of Kerry Kennedy at the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights, Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Senator Barack Obama, John McCain, Senator Hillary Clinton , The National Congress of American Indians, ABC news, The Reno Gazette-Journal, Senator John Kerry, and many many more people. This is a matter that has deeply affected the Native American Community and will not be easily forgotten. You cannot just sweep this under the rug and expect it to just go away. I am calling on the State of Ohio, The City of Columbus and it's police officers involved in the incident to issue a formal apology to the participants of The Longest Walk 2. This is the absolute LEAST that you can do to rectify this matter.
I would appreciate a reply.
Thank you
Sandra Bermudez
Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights
June 7, 2008
Outrage over Ohio police attack on Long Walkers
Incoming letters to Censored News, published with permission:
To: Brenda Norrell
Thank you for writing the story about the Long Walkers and Columbus Police. I am infuriated that the Columbus Dispatch did not cover the story. Below is the communication I shared with them. Please keep for your records in case you ever need them. The emails are copied and pasted below in chronological order. Thanks for your courage and dedication to Indian Country and for enlightening us all. I am a proud Ohioan and deeply ashamed that Columbus Police treated the Walker this way. (--Name withheld by request)
****************************************
Subject:Ohio police attack Long Walkers Date:6/4/2008
To: Columbus Dispatch
Greetings, Ms. Clease, I wasn't sure who to contact, so please redirect this email if needed. Did the Columbus Dispatch cover the story below written by Brenda Norrell, a highly respected journalist? If so, could you direct me to it? It's an important story which, unfortunately, constitutes harassment and is an embarrassment to Ohioans and to our state.
From: Columbus Dispatch
We did not report on the Long Walk. Carol Ann Lease
City Editor
Columbus Dispatch
To: Columbia Dispatch
Hi Carol, Thanks for answering. May I respectfully ask why this incident wasn't reported in the Dispatch? This seems like a newsworthy topic and certainly a topic of national interest considering that governors from other states supported the march. I'm sorry to bother you about this, but it means a lot to me. While I'm also a journalist (although nowhere in your league), I consider this topic worthy of local coverage. Can you enlighten me? Thanks,Gina
To: Columbia Dispatch
What I am asking is, WHY didn't the Dispatch consider this incident worthy of a news article? Peaceful Americans walking across country on a spiritual mission, supported by governors from other states, attacked in Columbus for no reason whatsoever? And yes, I'm asking the Dispatch to write a news article about it because it DESERVES to be reported.
From: Columbia Dispatch
In a message dated 6/6/2008 10:09:43 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
clease@dispatch.com writes: I'm sorry. I wasn't clear. I meant that, since you mentioned you are a journalist, I was asking if you plan to write about this. Because I wanted to let my bosses know if I was going to be quoted somewhere.
As a journalist, you know that editors make decisions every day on what to write about. Reasonable minds can, and often do, disagree on those judgment calls.
Carol Ann Lease
City Editor
Columbus Disptach
Hi Carol,
I haven't written about this for two reasons: Brenda Norrell already wrote about it, and she is a far better writer and journalist than I will ever be. The second reason is that, in my opinion, it was the Columbus Dispatch's responsibility to write an article about it since this event happened on your turf.
You are perfectly right about "judgement calls," and I respect your right to do so. However, Columbus police harassing and attacking peaceful marchers on a cross-country walk is NOT a small story. By not reporting the incident, one might assume the Dispatch cares little about Native People, is prejudice against Native People, is protecting the Columbus Police and city's reputation, wants to cover the whole thing up, and/or just doesn't care -- period. This is how I see it.
Unfortunately, the Dispatch remained silent while Brenda Norrell did the talking. Thank goodness she picked up the ball -- now the rest of us are aware of this story.
I will be writing about the Columbus event and my experience with the Dispatch in an upcoming Native Village News edition. Our supporters and readers include people recognized and honored by the United Nations, governments, and peace organizations. Some have won Emmys and Grammys. I say this not to brag but to let you that influential people sometimes care what everyday "Joes" like me have to say. Thanks goodness for that, because mainstream media has sorely let us down.
To: Brenda Norrell
Thank you for writing the story about the Long Walkers and Columbus Police. I am infuriated that the Columbus Dispatch did not cover the story. Below is the communication I shared with them. Please keep for your records in case you ever need them. The emails are copied and pasted below in chronological order. Thanks for your courage and dedication to Indian Country and for enlightening us all. I am a proud Ohioan and deeply ashamed that Columbus Police treated the Walker this way. (--Name withheld by request)
****************************************
Subject:Ohio police attack Long Walkers Date:6/4/2008
To: Columbus Dispatch
Greetings, Ms. Clease, I wasn't sure who to contact, so please redirect this email if needed. Did the Columbus Dispatch cover the story below written by Brenda Norrell, a highly respected journalist? If so, could you direct me to it? It's an important story which, unfortunately, constitutes harassment and is an embarrassment to Ohioans and to our state.
From: Columbus Dispatch
We did not report on the Long Walk. Carol Ann Lease
City Editor
Columbus Dispatch
To: Columbia Dispatch
Hi Carol, Thanks for answering. May I respectfully ask why this incident wasn't reported in the Dispatch? This seems like a newsworthy topic and certainly a topic of national interest considering that governors from other states supported the march. I'm sorry to bother you about this, but it means a lot to me. While I'm also a journalist (although nowhere in your league), I consider this topic worthy of local coverage. Can you enlighten me? Thanks,Gina
To: Columbia Dispatch
What I am asking is, WHY didn't the Dispatch consider this incident worthy of a news article? Peaceful Americans walking across country on a spiritual mission, supported by governors from other states, attacked in Columbus for no reason whatsoever? And yes, I'm asking the Dispatch to write a news article about it because it DESERVES to be reported.
From: Columbia Dispatch
In a message dated 6/6/2008 10:09:43 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
clease@dispatch.com writes: I'm sorry. I wasn't clear. I meant that, since you mentioned you are a journalist, I was asking if you plan to write about this. Because I wanted to let my bosses know if I was going to be quoted somewhere.
As a journalist, you know that editors make decisions every day on what to write about. Reasonable minds can, and often do, disagree on those judgment calls.
Carol Ann Lease
City Editor
Columbus Disptach
Hi Carol,
I haven't written about this for two reasons: Brenda Norrell already wrote about it, and she is a far better writer and journalist than I will ever be. The second reason is that, in my opinion, it was the Columbus Dispatch's responsibility to write an article about it since this event happened on your turf.
You are perfectly right about "judgement calls," and I respect your right to do so. However, Columbus police harassing and attacking peaceful marchers on a cross-country walk is NOT a small story. By not reporting the incident, one might assume the Dispatch cares little about Native People, is prejudice against Native People, is protecting the Columbus Police and city's reputation, wants to cover the whole thing up, and/or just doesn't care -- period. This is how I see it.
Unfortunately, the Dispatch remained silent while Brenda Norrell did the talking. Thank goodness she picked up the ball -- now the rest of us are aware of this story.
I will be writing about the Columbus event and my experience with the Dispatch in an upcoming Native Village News edition. Our supporters and readers include people recognized and honored by the United Nations, governments, and peace organizations. Some have won Emmys and Grammys. I say this not to brag but to let you that influential people sometimes care what everyday "Joes" like me have to say. Thanks goodness for that, because mainstream media has sorely let us down.
Longest Walk 2, in the news
From Google breaking news ...
US police point Taser at Kiwi Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand - 22 hours agoA New Zealander who took his family to join Mohawk, Paiute, Navajos, Choctaw and the American Indians making a symbolic "Longest Walk" across the USA has ...
Walking to make public aware of Mother Earth and American Indian ... Daily Home Online, AL - 9 hours agoBy Antrenise Cole CHILDERSBURG — For The Longest Walk of 1978, participants walked 3600 miles across America to raise awareness about the concerns of ...
Longest Walk II to stop in Knoxville June 13 Oak Ridger, TN - Jun 5, 2008An estimated 150 to 200 walkers participating in the South Route of the Longest Walk II will stop in Knoxville June 13 to share their message and hear from ...
American Indians walking to Washington, DC, to raise awareness of ... The Newark Advocate, OH - Jun 6, 2008The walk has been deemed The Longest Walk 2 because it commemorates the 30th anniversary of a similar walk that took place in 1978. ...
Ohio Police Attack Long Walkers The NarcoSphere, NY - Jun 4, 2008The Longest Walk Northern Route was walking this prayer through Columbus on Monday, June 2, when police squad cars and arrest wagons arrived. ...
The Longest Walk 2: What is the longest walk? Picayune Item, MS - May 31, 2008... DC The aptly named "Longest Walk 2" will cover 4400 miles over a five-month long time period, and every mile will be covered on foot. ..
Longest Walk 2 takes break at USM Hattiesburg American, MS - May 30, 2008By VALERIE WELLS • May 30, 2008 Burning sage and beating drums, about 80 participants in the Longest Walk 2 stopped to make a circle around the Medicine ...
Longest Walk 2 a journey with a message, mission Yuma Sun, AZ - May 25, 2008Together Jefferson and his comrades make up The Longest Walk 2, a historic march spanning San Francisco to Washington, DC, that began in early February and ...
Group accentuates harmony in walk Gonzales Ascension Citizen, LA - May 30, 2008He was one of nearly 100 participants partaking in a five-month 4400 mile journey from San Francisco to Washington DC known simply as the "Longest Walk 2. ...
A Tour of the Desecration: The Longest Walk is Taking Notes Infoshop News - May 16, 2008On February 11, the Longest Walk 2008 embarked on a five-month journey from San Francisco to Washington, DC. This second Longest Walk not only marks the ...
Return to Censored News homepage
US police point Taser at Kiwi Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand - 22 hours agoA New Zealander who took his family to join Mohawk, Paiute, Navajos, Choctaw and the American Indians making a symbolic "Longest Walk" across the USA has ...
Walking to make public aware of Mother Earth and American Indian ... Daily Home Online, AL - 9 hours agoBy Antrenise Cole CHILDERSBURG — For The Longest Walk of 1978, participants walked 3600 miles across America to raise awareness about the concerns of ...
Longest Walk II to stop in Knoxville June 13 Oak Ridger, TN - Jun 5, 2008An estimated 150 to 200 walkers participating in the South Route of the Longest Walk II will stop in Knoxville June 13 to share their message and hear from ...
American Indians walking to Washington, DC, to raise awareness of ... The Newark Advocate, OH - Jun 6, 2008The walk has been deemed The Longest Walk 2 because it commemorates the 30th anniversary of a similar walk that took place in 1978. ...
Ohio Police Attack Long Walkers The NarcoSphere, NY - Jun 4, 2008The Longest Walk Northern Route was walking this prayer through Columbus on Monday, June 2, when police squad cars and arrest wagons arrived. ...
The Longest Walk 2: What is the longest walk? Picayune Item, MS - May 31, 2008... DC The aptly named "Longest Walk 2" will cover 4400 miles over a five-month long time period, and every mile will be covered on foot. ..
Longest Walk 2 takes break at USM Hattiesburg American, MS - May 30, 2008By VALERIE WELLS • May 30, 2008 Burning sage and beating drums, about 80 participants in the Longest Walk 2 stopped to make a circle around the Medicine ...
Longest Walk 2 a journey with a message, mission Yuma Sun, AZ - May 25, 2008Together Jefferson and his comrades make up The Longest Walk 2, a historic march spanning San Francisco to Washington, DC, that began in early February and ...
Group accentuates harmony in walk Gonzales Ascension Citizen, LA - May 30, 2008He was one of nearly 100 participants partaking in a five-month 4400 mile journey from San Francisco to Washington DC known simply as the "Longest Walk 2. ...
A Tour of the Desecration: The Longest Walk is Taking Notes Infoshop News - May 16, 2008On February 11, the Longest Walk 2008 embarked on a five-month journey from San Francisco to Washington, DC. This second Longest Walk not only marks the ...
Return to Censored News homepage
June 6, 2008
Mexican military and police use drug war to attempt to enter Zapatista Territory
Mexican Military and Police Use Drug War to Attempt to Enter Zapatista Territory
They Claimed to Be Looking for Marijuana Plants; Local Civilians Drove them Away
By The Good Government Council
La Garrucha, Chiapas, Mexico
June 2008
Reposted from www.narconews.com/
DENUNCIATION
ACT OF PROVOCATION
From the Road to the Future Good Government Council (Junta de Buen Gobierno El Camino del Futuro)
To the people of Mexico and the world, to the comrades in the Other Campaign in Mexico and the world, to the national and international news media, to human rights defenders, to the honest non-governmental organizations
The Road to the Future Good Government Council makes the following denunciation:
1. A column was sighted consisting of a military convoy and public safety police, municipal police, and judicial agents at 9:00 in the morning southeastern time; there were 2 big trucks and 3 small trucks of soldiers, 2 public safety trucks, 2 municipal police trucks, an anti-riot tank, and a truckload of judicial agents.
2. All in all there were around 200 provocateurs.
3. Before entering the town of Garrucha, the headquarters of the Caracol, about 30 meters from the edge of the town, 3 trucks from the convoy stopped and 4 soldiers got out of a truck as if to outflank the town of Garrucha by using the road to our collective cornfield. The people reacted and organized themselves to eject the convoy. The soldiers immediately got back in their truck and continued along the road. Those in front were intimidating the people, taking photos and filming them as they waited for the other provocateurs.
4. Arriving at the spot where the soldiers from Patiwitz were stationed, another military convoy joined the column, which continued on its way to engage in another provocation.
5. They arrived at Rancho Alegre, a community known as Chapuyil.
6. They got out of the trucks and headed for the town of Hermenegildo Galeana, where all the people are Zapatista support bases, accusing the townspeople of growing marijuana in their fields.
7. People throughout the Zapatista area of Garrucha, including the autonomous authorities, are witness to the fact that no such fields exist. The Zapatistas here work in their cornfields and banana plantations. They are willing to struggle for freedom, justice, and democracy and resist any provocation whatsoever.
8. Around 100 soldiers, 10 public security police, and 4 judicial agents headed for the town of Galeana. All the repressors painted their faces to confuse people and to avoid being recognized in the hill country. They walked for a while on the road and then went into the hills on their way to the town.
9. The federal column was guided by a person named Feliciano Román Ruiz, who is known to be from the Ocosingo municipal police.
10. The townspeople of Galeana ––men, women, girls, and boys–– organized themselves to eject the troops, come what may.
11. They met up with the troops in the middle of the road and the melee began. All the Zapatista women, men, boys, and girls told the soldiers in no uncertain terms, “Go back to where you came from, you aren’t needed here. We want freedom, justice, and democracy ––not soldiers.”
12. The soldiers said, “We came here because we know there’s marijuana here and we’re going on ahead come hell or high water.” That’s when the people took out their machetes, shovels, rocks, slingshots, ropes and whatever was at hand, and drove them back.
13. The soldiers said, “Well, this time we’re not going any further, but we’ll be back in two weeks and we’re going in there come hell or high water.”
14. They took another road down to the village of Zapatista support bases called San Alejandro where 9 vehicles with 40 soldiers and 10 policemen were waiting for them.
15. On their way down, they trampled the cornfield, which is the town’s only food source.
16. In the Zapatista town of San Alejandro, the 60 repressive agents took up their positions, ready for a confrontation.
17. The people reacted and used everything at hand to drive back the federal forces.
18. Soldiers from Toniná, Patiwitz, and San Quintín participated in the confrontation.
19. People of Mexico and the world, we want to tell you that it won’t be long before another confrontation occurs, provoked by (President Felipe) Calderón and (Governor) Juan Sabines and Carlos Leonel Solórzano, the municipal president of Ocosingo, who’ll call out their dogs from all the forces of repression. We are not drug dealers. As you know, we are brothers and sisters of Mexico and the world. It’s clear that they’re coming for us Zapatistas. All three levels of the bad government are coming after us, and we’re ready to resist them if that’s what’s necessary, just as our slogan says: We’ll live for our homeland or die for freedom.
20. People of Mexico and the world, you know that our struggle is a peaceful, political one. As it says in the Sixth Declaration of the Lacandon Jungle, it’s a peaceful, political struggle known as the Other Campaign. Just look where the violent provocation is coming from.
21. Comrades of the Other Campaign in Mexico and other countries, we ask you to be on the alert because the soldiers said they’ll be back in two weeks. We don’t want war. We want peace with justice and dignity. But we have no other choice than to defend ourselves, resist them, and eject them when they come looking for a confrontation with us in the towns of the Zapatista support bases.
22. All we can tell you is to look and see where the provocation is coming from. We’re now informing you of what’s going on, hopefully in time.
That’s all we have to say.
RESPECTFULLY YOURS,
La Junta de Buen GobiernoElena Gordillo Clara Claribel Pérez LópezFreddy Rodríguez López Rolando Ruiz Hernández
Click here for more from The Other Journalism with the Other Campaign
They Claimed to Be Looking for Marijuana Plants; Local Civilians Drove them Away
By The Good Government Council
La Garrucha, Chiapas, Mexico
June 2008
Reposted from www.narconews.com/
DENUNCIATION
ACT OF PROVOCATION
From the Road to the Future Good Government Council (Junta de Buen Gobierno El Camino del Futuro)
To the people of Mexico and the world, to the comrades in the Other Campaign in Mexico and the world, to the national and international news media, to human rights defenders, to the honest non-governmental organizations
The Road to the Future Good Government Council makes the following denunciation:
1. A column was sighted consisting of a military convoy and public safety police, municipal police, and judicial agents at 9:00 in the morning southeastern time; there were 2 big trucks and 3 small trucks of soldiers, 2 public safety trucks, 2 municipal police trucks, an anti-riot tank, and a truckload of judicial agents.
2. All in all there were around 200 provocateurs.
3. Before entering the town of Garrucha, the headquarters of the Caracol, about 30 meters from the edge of the town, 3 trucks from the convoy stopped and 4 soldiers got out of a truck as if to outflank the town of Garrucha by using the road to our collective cornfield. The people reacted and organized themselves to eject the convoy. The soldiers immediately got back in their truck and continued along the road. Those in front were intimidating the people, taking photos and filming them as they waited for the other provocateurs.
4. Arriving at the spot where the soldiers from Patiwitz were stationed, another military convoy joined the column, which continued on its way to engage in another provocation.
5. They arrived at Rancho Alegre, a community known as Chapuyil.
6. They got out of the trucks and headed for the town of Hermenegildo Galeana, where all the people are Zapatista support bases, accusing the townspeople of growing marijuana in their fields.
7. People throughout the Zapatista area of Garrucha, including the autonomous authorities, are witness to the fact that no such fields exist. The Zapatistas here work in their cornfields and banana plantations. They are willing to struggle for freedom, justice, and democracy and resist any provocation whatsoever.
8. Around 100 soldiers, 10 public security police, and 4 judicial agents headed for the town of Galeana. All the repressors painted their faces to confuse people and to avoid being recognized in the hill country. They walked for a while on the road and then went into the hills on their way to the town.
9. The federal column was guided by a person named Feliciano Román Ruiz, who is known to be from the Ocosingo municipal police.
10. The townspeople of Galeana ––men, women, girls, and boys–– organized themselves to eject the troops, come what may.
11. They met up with the troops in the middle of the road and the melee began. All the Zapatista women, men, boys, and girls told the soldiers in no uncertain terms, “Go back to where you came from, you aren’t needed here. We want freedom, justice, and democracy ––not soldiers.”
12. The soldiers said, “We came here because we know there’s marijuana here and we’re going on ahead come hell or high water.” That’s when the people took out their machetes, shovels, rocks, slingshots, ropes and whatever was at hand, and drove them back.
13. The soldiers said, “Well, this time we’re not going any further, but we’ll be back in two weeks and we’re going in there come hell or high water.”
14. They took another road down to the village of Zapatista support bases called San Alejandro where 9 vehicles with 40 soldiers and 10 policemen were waiting for them.
15. On their way down, they trampled the cornfield, which is the town’s only food source.
16. In the Zapatista town of San Alejandro, the 60 repressive agents took up their positions, ready for a confrontation.
17. The people reacted and used everything at hand to drive back the federal forces.
18. Soldiers from Toniná, Patiwitz, and San Quintín participated in the confrontation.
19. People of Mexico and the world, we want to tell you that it won’t be long before another confrontation occurs, provoked by (President Felipe) Calderón and (Governor) Juan Sabines and Carlos Leonel Solórzano, the municipal president of Ocosingo, who’ll call out their dogs from all the forces of repression. We are not drug dealers. As you know, we are brothers and sisters of Mexico and the world. It’s clear that they’re coming for us Zapatistas. All three levels of the bad government are coming after us, and we’re ready to resist them if that’s what’s necessary, just as our slogan says: We’ll live for our homeland or die for freedom.
20. People of Mexico and the world, you know that our struggle is a peaceful, political one. As it says in the Sixth Declaration of the Lacandon Jungle, it’s a peaceful, political struggle known as the Other Campaign. Just look where the violent provocation is coming from.
21. Comrades of the Other Campaign in Mexico and other countries, we ask you to be on the alert because the soldiers said they’ll be back in two weeks. We don’t want war. We want peace with justice and dignity. But we have no other choice than to defend ourselves, resist them, and eject them when they come looking for a confrontation with us in the towns of the Zapatista support bases.
22. All we can tell you is to look and see where the provocation is coming from. We’re now informing you of what’s going on, hopefully in time.
That’s all we have to say.
RESPECTFULLY YOURS,
La Junta de Buen GobiernoElena Gordillo Clara Claribel Pérez LópezFreddy Rodríguez López Rolando Ruiz Hernández
Click here for more from The Other Journalism with the Other Campaign
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