October 16, 2009
Tucson Contact: Derechos Humanos: 520.770.1373 520.770.1373
National Media Contact (English): Brandon Hatler: DobbsMustGo@gmail.com
National Media Contact (Spanish): Natali Fani: 301.442.8459 301.442.8459 / natali@mateagroup.com
Press Conference
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
11:00am
El Tiradito Shrine
356 South Main Avenue, Tucson, Arizona
Latino Leaders Across U.S. Demand CNN Drop Controversial Host Lou Dobbs for Extremist Ties
Dobbs' participation in event organized by hate group FAIR sparks Latinos nationally to launch unprecedented bilingual campaign using email and text messaging
TUCSON -- Coalición de Derechos Humans and other Tucson allies have joined with organizations from 25 U.S. cities with the largest Latino populations today to mount a national technology-driven campaign to demand that CNN drop Lou Dobbs from its program offering. Citing his links to extremist groups and his ongoing promotion of dangerous anti-Latino and anti-immigrant rhetoric, Tucson groups will join the call for CNN to drop Dobbs.
The campaign launches as Dobbs broadcasts his radio show this week from a national lobbying conference sponsored by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), which was founded by white nationalist John Tanton and is designated as a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Earlier this year, FAIR was linked to Shawna Forde, head of the Arizona-based Minutemen American Defense, who is charged with killing 9-year-old Brisenia Flores and her father. Recent studies have tied anti-immigrant hate speech to increased violence against Latinos in America.
"Enough is enough. CNN has allowed Dobbs to spout hate on its network for too long, and his alignment with a hate group like FAIR should be the last straw," said Roberto Lovato of Presente.org, the national online group that is organizing the effort. "We are calling on CNN President Jon Klein to drop Dobbs if he and his network are to maintain any semblance of credibility in the fast-growing Latino media market."
The appearance at this year's FAIR event is the latest in Dobbs' long career of aligning with white supremacist groups and using his platform on CNN to spread lies and conspiracy theories about Latinos and immigrants.
"We see the effects that Dobbs and other hate radio jocks have on our communities on a daily basis," says Kat Rodriguez of Derechos Humanos. "Hate speech should never be tolerated, especially from a news personality associated with a supposedly unbiased network like CNN."
Presente.org and its partners are using a combination of traditional and new media in English and Spanish to educate Latinos across America about Dobbs' anti-Latino history. Efforts will include Spanish-language radio PSAs that connect to a text-message campaign, email petitions and a bilingual website hub.
The campaign includes local partner organizations in the 25 U.S. cities with the largest Latino populations, listed below. These same cities account for more than 75 percent of the Hispanic television audience in the country. Latinos are the fastest-growing demographic group in the nation at 44 million, representing about 15 percent of the total U.S. population.
http://www.bastadobbs.com/
Text Message: BASTA or ENOUGH to 3-0-6-4-4
List of Groups & Cities
Accion America (Dallas, TX)
Alma de Mujer Center for Social Change (Austin, TX)
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) (San Diego, CA)
CARECEN (San Francisco, CA)
Center for Media Justice (Oakland, CA)
Centro Presente (Boston, MA)
Chicano Consortium (Sacramento, CA)
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA)(Los Angeles, CA)
Coalicion de Derechos Humanos (Tucson, AZ)
Colorado Latino Forum (Denver, CO)
CRECEN (Houston, TX)
Desis Rising Up & Moving (DRUM), (New York City, NY)
Dolores Street Community Services (San Francisco, CA)
Esperanza Peace & Justice Center (San Antonio, TX)
Families for Freedom (New York, NY)
Florida Immigrant Coalition (Miami,FL & Tampa, FL)
Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (Atlanta, GA)
Hermandad Mexicana (Las Vegas, NV)
La Comunidad, Inc. (Everett, MA)
La Pena (Austin, TX)
Latino Leadership, Inc. (Orlando, FL)
Main Street Project (Minneapolis, MN)
Massachusetts Jobs with Justice (Boston, MA)
Mexicanos Sin Fronteras (Washington, DC)
National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities (Chicago, IL & Nationwide)
National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (Oakland, CA)
New Mexico Media Literacy Project (Albuquerque, NM)
No Border Wall (Brownsville, TX)
Project Voice New England/American Friends Service Committee of New England (Boston, MA)
Somos un Pueblo (Chicago, IL); The Chelsea Collaborative (Boston, MA)
The New Santuary Coalition of New York City (New York, NY)
Tonatierra Community Development Institute (Phoenix, AZ)
William C. Velasquez Institute, San Antonio, TX & Nationwide
Blog Endorsers
CitizenOrange.com
VivirLatino.com
CultureKitchen.com
LatinaLista.com
TheUnapologeticMexican.org
XicanoPwr.com
LatinoPoliticsBlog.com
DosCentavos.net
Coalición de Derechos Humanos
P.O. Box 1286 Tucson, AZ 85702
Tel: 520.770.1373 520.770.1373
Fax: 520.770.7455
www.derechoshumanosaz.net
Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights
October 18, 2009
October 17, 2009
Tohe & Skrelunas: Look beyond coal energy
Tribes should look beyond coal energy
by Robert Tohe and Tony Skrelunas
Oct. 17, 2009 12:00 AM
My Turn
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2009/10/16/20091016tohe17.html
We agree with Hopi and Navajo concerns over economic development and job creation and their right to speak out. We also stand united in encouraging tribal leaders to embrace prosperity and health in the 21st century with clean, renewable energy. Considering that our fossil-fuel-based economy will eventually disappear, we believe it is time to look ahead.
For too many years, Southwestern tribes have borne the loss of groundwater and the health impacts and destruction of our homelands from coal, while outside interests profited greatly. At the invitation of tribal communities, conservation groups have joined to help create a better path.
Burning coal is a key contributor to climate change, but it also generates many other toxins. The Mohave Generating Station was in violation of federal clean-air standards, thereby impacting our health and the entire Southwest. Although they had reached an agreement on pollution controls, the owners chose to close the plant in 2005 because of a failure to reach an agreement with Navajo and Hopi governments on coal royalties and the protection of tribal water supplies.
Two other coal plants built long ago on Navajo land are also in violation. Their toxins drift beyond reservation and state borders. Owners of these plants, who do not include tribes, need to reduce their pollution or, better yet, invest in local clean, renewable-energy projects to start transitioning to a more sustainable and healthy economy.
Meanwhile, most coal plants proposed across the country are becoming too risky and costly to build. The planned Desert Rock plant on Navajo land still has no customers, and the permit has been sent back for more environmental review at the request of the Environmental Protection Agency, tribal members and nearby residents.
When Hopi and Navajo people were forced to leave Black Mesa by mining interests, so went their "prosperity." While the mesa's coal provides cheap electricity for Western states, 40 years later, thousands of tribal homes near the mines, power plants and transmission lines are still without electricity and running water. Unemployment chronically hovers above 40 percent. This exploitation by outside interests has done little to alleviate chronic poverty.
But there is hope for the future.
Partnering with the Grand Canyon Trust, the Navajo community of Shonto, located near Black Mesa, is developing solar energy to supply the area with jobs and affordable electricity. They seek to end their coal dependence while carving their own future through community-based programs.
A report soon to be released by Natural Capitalism Solutions shows how renewable-energy development deployed with aggressive energy-efficiency measures provides far more sustainable jobs, along with overall economic benefits, than traditional sources such as coal.
"We were quite amazed," said report author Paul Sheldon, a senior economist of NCS. "In some cases, the models show 10 times the number of jobs created from certain solar technologies versus coal-based generation."
In addition, the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project estimates that every $1 million spent on energy efficiency in Colorado provides a net gain of 17 jobs and $670,000 in wages and compensation.
Before the Mohave plant closed, our groups began supporting Hopi and Navajo leaders in campaigning for a clean-energy future. That story will be told next month in the PBS documentary "Power Paths": http:// powerpaths.semkhor .com
In the film, supporter Winona LaDuke says: "We need to create a way of life where a community is not forced to cannibalize their mother in order to live. . . . We have no absence of resources or technology to do the right thing. What we have is the absence of political will."
Former Hopi Chairman Vernon Masayesva says, "We have the technology, the sun, the land and the power corridor. It should be a piece of cake."
We agree. Together, we can reduce greenhouse gases, toxic pollution and stop the exploitation of the tribes while we rekindle our economy and create more jobs. This is our pledge for a more sustainable future for all.
Robert Tohe is environmental-justice organizer for the Sierra Club Flagstaff. Tony Skrelunas is Native American program director for the Grand Canyon Trust. Both are Navajos.
by Robert Tohe and Tony Skrelunas
Oct. 17, 2009 12:00 AM
My Turn
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2009/10/16/20091016tohe17.html
We agree with Hopi and Navajo concerns over economic development and job creation and their right to speak out. We also stand united in encouraging tribal leaders to embrace prosperity and health in the 21st century with clean, renewable energy. Considering that our fossil-fuel-based economy will eventually disappear, we believe it is time to look ahead.
For too many years, Southwestern tribes have borne the loss of groundwater and the health impacts and destruction of our homelands from coal, while outside interests profited greatly. At the invitation of tribal communities, conservation groups have joined to help create a better path.
Burning coal is a key contributor to climate change, but it also generates many other toxins. The Mohave Generating Station was in violation of federal clean-air standards, thereby impacting our health and the entire Southwest. Although they had reached an agreement on pollution controls, the owners chose to close the plant in 2005 because of a failure to reach an agreement with Navajo and Hopi governments on coal royalties and the protection of tribal water supplies.
Two other coal plants built long ago on Navajo land are also in violation. Their toxins drift beyond reservation and state borders. Owners of these plants, who do not include tribes, need to reduce their pollution or, better yet, invest in local clean, renewable-energy projects to start transitioning to a more sustainable and healthy economy.
Meanwhile, most coal plants proposed across the country are becoming too risky and costly to build. The planned Desert Rock plant on Navajo land still has no customers, and the permit has been sent back for more environmental review at the request of the Environmental Protection Agency, tribal members and nearby residents.
When Hopi and Navajo people were forced to leave Black Mesa by mining interests, so went their "prosperity." While the mesa's coal provides cheap electricity for Western states, 40 years later, thousands of tribal homes near the mines, power plants and transmission lines are still without electricity and running water. Unemployment chronically hovers above 40 percent. This exploitation by outside interests has done little to alleviate chronic poverty.
But there is hope for the future.
Partnering with the Grand Canyon Trust, the Navajo community of Shonto, located near Black Mesa, is developing solar energy to supply the area with jobs and affordable electricity. They seek to end their coal dependence while carving their own future through community-based programs.
A report soon to be released by Natural Capitalism Solutions shows how renewable-energy development deployed with aggressive energy-efficiency measures provides far more sustainable jobs, along with overall economic benefits, than traditional sources such as coal.
"We were quite amazed," said report author Paul Sheldon, a senior economist of NCS. "In some cases, the models show 10 times the number of jobs created from certain solar technologies versus coal-based generation."
In addition, the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project estimates that every $1 million spent on energy efficiency in Colorado provides a net gain of 17 jobs and $670,000 in wages and compensation.
Before the Mohave plant closed, our groups began supporting Hopi and Navajo leaders in campaigning for a clean-energy future. That story will be told next month in the PBS documentary "Power Paths": http:// powerpaths.semkhor .com
In the film, supporter Winona LaDuke says: "We need to create a way of life where a community is not forced to cannibalize their mother in order to live. . . . We have no absence of resources or technology to do the right thing. What we have is the absence of political will."
Former Hopi Chairman Vernon Masayesva says, "We have the technology, the sun, the land and the power corridor. It should be a piece of cake."
We agree. Together, we can reduce greenhouse gases, toxic pollution and stop the exploitation of the tribes while we rekindle our economy and create more jobs. This is our pledge for a more sustainable future for all.
Robert Tohe is environmental-justice organizer for the Sierra Club Flagstaff. Tony Skrelunas is Native American program director for the Grand Canyon Trust. Both are Navajos.
Native Americans honored in San Francisco
November 2009 KQED Presents American Indian Hertiage Month
KQED proudly celebrates the richness and diversity of the greater San Francisco Bay Area by commemorating November, American Indian Heritage Month. During the month of November, KQED Public TV 9 schedules a special lineup of programs focused on American Indian themes and issues. These programs are highlighted in a guide along with listings of community resources and local events.
We are honored to be partnering with The San Francisco Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services, Friendship House Association of American Indians, Native American AIDS Project and Native American Health Center to celebrate the rich culture of the American Indian community. Please join us on Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 5pm-7:30pm at the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda for dancing, drumming and a special awards ceremony where we will honor local heroes doing outstanding work in the American Indian community.
2009 American Indian Heroes
Gayle Burns
Native American AIDS Project
Mary Jean Roberts
Voices of the Native Nation, KPOO Radio
Ras K'dee
Seventh Native American Generation, Audiopharmacy
Professor Lehman Brightman
United Native Americans, Inc.
Cathy Chapman
Native American Health Center
For More Information Visit:
http://www.kqed.org/community/heritage/americanindian/index.jsp
http://www.teachingthevaluesofpeace.blogspot.com
KQED proudly celebrates the richness and diversity of the greater San Francisco Bay Area by commemorating November, American Indian Heritage Month. During the month of November, KQED Public TV 9 schedules a special lineup of programs focused on American Indian themes and issues. These programs are highlighted in a guide along with listings of community resources and local events.
We are honored to be partnering with The San Francisco Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services, Friendship House Association of American Indians, Native American AIDS Project and Native American Health Center to celebrate the rich culture of the American Indian community. Please join us on Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 5pm-7:30pm at the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda for dancing, drumming and a special awards ceremony where we will honor local heroes doing outstanding work in the American Indian community.
2009 American Indian Heroes
Gayle Burns
Native American AIDS Project
Mary Jean Roberts
Voices of the Native Nation, KPOO Radio
Ras K'dee
Seventh Native American Generation, Audiopharmacy
Professor Lehman Brightman
United Native Americans, Inc.
Cathy Chapman
Native American Health Center
For More Information Visit:
http://www.kqed.org/community/heritage/americanindian/index.jsp
http://www.teachingthevaluesofpeace.blogspot.com
Leech Lake: Lawsuit expands in pipeline resistance
TRIBAL LAWSUIT EXPANDS IN ALBERTA CLIPPER PIPELINE CASE
IS ENBRIDGE IGNORING ‘HUGE’ FINANCIAL RISK
Contact Information: Marty Cobenais
Indigenous Environmental Network
(218) 751-4967
(218) 760-0284 (cell)
martyc@ienearth.org
On Thursday, October 8, 2009, Leech Lake Tribal Members known as IN ZHA WEN DUN AKI, leading the resistance against the Alberta Clipper and Southern Diluents Pipelines, filed a motion in Leech Lake Tribal Court to include the Leech Lake Reservation Business Committee (RBC) and the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.
We believe this will go before tribal court with the next month. “We believe at that time the Leech Lake Tribal Court will rule against all the named parties, recognizing that a grave injustice has been done and allow the valid petitions and a referendum vote to be admitted," said Marty Cobenais, Indigenous Environmental Network's Pipeline Organizer.
Should the court agree with the plaintiffs, Enbridge will have to stop construction of the entire route, as the FEIS, PUC ruling, and the Presidential Permit would no longer be valid. It would have to remove any new pipes within the Leech Lake Reservation boundaries that were placed in the ground at their own cost.
“Enbridge arrogantly believes that their money and legal power will allow them to bypass the tribe's sovereignty; but they are taking a huge financial risk by continuing to work within the boundaries of the reservation at this time, as the lawsuit was started and was heard in the Leech Lake Tribal Court prior to the starting of construction of the pipelines," Cobenais continued.
The tribal members are still opposing the construction of the Alberta Clipper and Southern Diluent pipelines that are currently being constructed within the boundaries of the Leech Lake Reservation. According to the Treaty of 1855, that formed the Leech Lake Reservation, and as defined by the U.S. Congress “Indian Country” runs from boundary to boundary regardless of who actually owns the land.
Background: On September 18, 2009, the Leech Lake RBC denied to certify the 693 signatures on petitions that sought for the Leech Lake RBC to rescind and a second petition calling for a referendum vote to be allowed for the Leech Lake tribal members to decide on Resolution 2009-170. The resolution that was enacted on May 14, 2009, is the agreement between the Leech Lake RBC and Enbridge Energy L.P. that allows the two pipelines to be built and a right-of-way extension of the 4 current pipelines for another 20 years. The oldest of these pipes were put in the ground in 1949, which have laid on the bottom of Cass Lake for 60 years.
The RBC vote was split with two members voting for the denial of the petitions, and two other members abstaining from voting on the matter. District One Representative Robbie Howe stated in the meeting “I don’t know what the findings are, and I didn’t get a copy of the petitions."
Leech Lake District 3 Representative Eugene “Ribs” Whitebird made the motion to deny the certification of the petitions, seconded by District 2 Representative Lyman Losh. Their decision was based on a memo, dated September 17, 2009, from Nancy Whitebird, Enrollment Department Coordinator, and aunt to Eugene Whitebird. In Ms. Whitebird’s review of the 2 petitions she cited 15 irregularities; the majority of them were arbitrary in nature and were contrary to the MCT Constitution residency requirement. According to the MCT Constitution, the requirements for a valid petition are eligible voting tribal membership and residency within the boundaries of the Leech Lake Reservation.
The tribal members dispute the findings of the Leech Lake RBC and the certification process. They discovered during this process that there are no policies or procedures in the MCT Constitution that outlines how the referendum petition is suppose to work. There are rules and guidelines for a recall petition for the removal of a tribal official, but they didn’t apply to this situation.
The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe is comprised of 6 tribal governments that include the following northern Minnesota reservations: Leech Lake, Bois Forte, Mille Lacs, White Earth, Grand Portage, and Fond-du-Lac. All of these reservations are currently required to follow the Constitution and By-laws of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.
IS ENBRIDGE IGNORING ‘HUGE’ FINANCIAL RISK
Contact Information: Marty Cobenais
Indigenous Environmental Network
(218) 751-4967
(218) 760-0284 (cell)
martyc@ienearth.org
On Thursday, October 8, 2009, Leech Lake Tribal Members known as IN ZHA WEN DUN AKI, leading the resistance against the Alberta Clipper and Southern Diluents Pipelines, filed a motion in Leech Lake Tribal Court to include the Leech Lake Reservation Business Committee (RBC) and the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.
We believe this will go before tribal court with the next month. “We believe at that time the Leech Lake Tribal Court will rule against all the named parties, recognizing that a grave injustice has been done and allow the valid petitions and a referendum vote to be admitted," said Marty Cobenais, Indigenous Environmental Network's Pipeline Organizer.
Should the court agree with the plaintiffs, Enbridge will have to stop construction of the entire route, as the FEIS, PUC ruling, and the Presidential Permit would no longer be valid. It would have to remove any new pipes within the Leech Lake Reservation boundaries that were placed in the ground at their own cost.
“Enbridge arrogantly believes that their money and legal power will allow them to bypass the tribe's sovereignty; but they are taking a huge financial risk by continuing to work within the boundaries of the reservation at this time, as the lawsuit was started and was heard in the Leech Lake Tribal Court prior to the starting of construction of the pipelines," Cobenais continued.
The tribal members are still opposing the construction of the Alberta Clipper and Southern Diluent pipelines that are currently being constructed within the boundaries of the Leech Lake Reservation. According to the Treaty of 1855, that formed the Leech Lake Reservation, and as defined by the U.S. Congress “Indian Country” runs from boundary to boundary regardless of who actually owns the land.
Background: On September 18, 2009, the Leech Lake RBC denied to certify the 693 signatures on petitions that sought for the Leech Lake RBC to rescind and a second petition calling for a referendum vote to be allowed for the Leech Lake tribal members to decide on Resolution 2009-170. The resolution that was enacted on May 14, 2009, is the agreement between the Leech Lake RBC and Enbridge Energy L.P. that allows the two pipelines to be built and a right-of-way extension of the 4 current pipelines for another 20 years. The oldest of these pipes were put in the ground in 1949, which have laid on the bottom of Cass Lake for 60 years.
The RBC vote was split with two members voting for the denial of the petitions, and two other members abstaining from voting on the matter. District One Representative Robbie Howe stated in the meeting “I don’t know what the findings are, and I didn’t get a copy of the petitions."
Leech Lake District 3 Representative Eugene “Ribs” Whitebird made the motion to deny the certification of the petitions, seconded by District 2 Representative Lyman Losh. Their decision was based on a memo, dated September 17, 2009, from Nancy Whitebird, Enrollment Department Coordinator, and aunt to Eugene Whitebird. In Ms. Whitebird’s review of the 2 petitions she cited 15 irregularities; the majority of them were arbitrary in nature and were contrary to the MCT Constitution residency requirement. According to the MCT Constitution, the requirements for a valid petition are eligible voting tribal membership and residency within the boundaries of the Leech Lake Reservation.
The tribal members dispute the findings of the Leech Lake RBC and the certification process. They discovered during this process that there are no policies or procedures in the MCT Constitution that outlines how the referendum petition is suppose to work. There are rules and guidelines for a recall petition for the removal of a tribal official, but they didn’t apply to this situation.
The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe is comprised of 6 tribal governments that include the following northern Minnesota reservations: Leech Lake, Bois Forte, Mille Lacs, White Earth, Grand Portage, and Fond-du-Lac. All of these reservations are currently required to follow the Constitution and By-laws of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.
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