Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

November 24, 2011

Occupy Thanksgiving, Tucson Style

By Brenda Norrell
CENSORED NEWS
TUCSON -- It was a happy Thanksgiving at Occupy Tucson, where several turkeys and all the trimmings rolled in from the good folks of Tucson on Thursday afternoon. "I even had pumpkin pie," said one of the men, as yet another car arrived with more turkey and goodies. One woman brought fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, still warm.
Occupy Tucson, located in the heart of downtown, is surrounded by courthouses, banks, cafes and the infamous downtown library. One block to the south is the FBI building, where for years protests against the war have been held every Thursday. A few blocks to the east is the shrine where migrants who have died crossing the Sonora Desert are remembered one night each week.
Back over at Occupy Tucson, one of the signs on the busy street corner, says, "I do have a job!" Another series of signs reminds people, if they are going to yell out of their car windows, to be creative. Other signs point to the corporate theft of America.
Meanwhile, Occupy Tucson peacekeepers maintain their mellow style of keeping the peace here.
Tucson police are citing and field releasing occupiers each night, without taking them in to jail. However, the ultimate fines are mounting up.
Still, it was one more really good day to Occupy Tucson.

LISTEN: Clyde Bellecourt on Alcatraz

By Brenda Norrell
Clyde Bellecourt photo by Christina Akaquiqui
AIM West Coast Conference San Francisco Nov. 2011
Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com

ALCATRAZ -- On Censored News Blogtalk Radio today, AIM confounder Clyde Bellecourt speaks on Alcatraz, where thousands gathered at dawn to honor the original occupation of Alcatraz. Bellecourt shares prophecies and points out  that every day is a day of thanks, a day of thanksgiving.
Bellecourt says the elders have told him that the American Indian Movement was foretold in prophecies, which described how they would come dressed in red and "bring back the drum."
Native American elders also said this day would be a time for the unity of the people from the north with the people of the south who would do away with borders.
Bellecourt remembered Ted Means, brother of Bill Means and Russell Means, who passed to the Spirit World yesterday.
Bellecourt was in San Francisco for the AIM West Coast Conference this week, hosted by AIM West.
Thanks to KPFA Berkeley for sharing the broadcast on Radio Free Alcatraz.
Listen to Bellecourt's 10 minute talk:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/brenda-norrell/2011/11/24/clyde-bellecourt-on-alcatraz-2011

November 23, 2011

Black Friday: Defend Sacred Ohlone Shellmounds


Shellmound walkers at Alcatraz
2007 photo Brenda Norrell
November 25, 2011- 10th Anniversary of the Annual Black Friday Protest Against the Bay Street Mall: No More Desecration of Sacred Ohlone Shellmounds!

At 12 noon on Friday, November 25th Indigenous peoples and allies will gather at the Bay Street Mall to contest the continued desecration of sacred sites. This shopping center opened in 2000, amid massive controversy. It was erected atop one of the last remaining shellmounds -- the traditional burial sites of the Ohlone people who are the original inhabitants of the Bay Area. With blatant disregard for the desires of the local Native community, developers and the City of Emeryville plowed ahead with construction of the mall and Indigenous peoples have since expressed their outrage annually on this busiest of shopping days.

This year, on the historic 10th anniversary of the event, the Occupy/Decolonize Oakland movement will be present to express their solidarity. In a unanimous vote last evening, the General Assembly endorsed the Black Friday protest, acknowledging the centuries of genocide that have taken place against the Native inhabitants of this land; the United States has, in fact, been ‘occupied’ for over 500 years.  It is only through the recognition of the rights of Indigenous peoples to have their sacred places accessible and intact that the historical injustices can begin to be addressed.

All are invited to join in this family-friendly event. Meet at the corner of Ohlone Way and Shellmound Street from 12 noon to 3:00pm to educate shoppers about the history of the mall and pay respects to the ancient burial ground upon which it sits.

Contact: Corrina Gould


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