The Longest Walk march to the US Capitol on July 11, 2008. Please double click to enlarge. Photos by Morning Star Gali. More photos at: http://www.longestwalk.org/August 5, 2008
Honoring the walkers, photos by Morning Star
The Longest Walk march to the US Capitol on July 11, 2008. Please double click to enlarge. Photos by Morning Star Gali. More photos at: http://www.longestwalk.org/August 4, 2008
Day of Mourning for the US Media: Revolution for truth
Day of Mourning for the US Media
A revolution for truth
By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
Today is a day of mourning for the U.S. media. In case you missed its passing, columnist Roberto Rodriguez' article "Questions journalists never ask," serves as a memorial. Rodriquez' column also points out that it wasn't just the integrity of the U.S. media that died, but U.S. democracy, now on the fast track to Nazi-style dictatorship. The Bush administration and its team of multi-national corporate profiteers continue co-opting the U.S. Congress, military, police and commerce. So here's the Censored News challenge to U.S. journalists: Walk out for truth. Just get your personal items together, shut down the computer and walk out! It is as easy as that to bring about a revolution for truth.
Questions journalists never ask
More at: http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/
A revolution for truth
By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
Today is a day of mourning for the U.S. media. In case you missed its passing, columnist Roberto Rodriguez' article "Questions journalists never ask," serves as a memorial. Rodriquez' column also points out that it wasn't just the integrity of the U.S. media that died, but U.S. democracy, now on the fast track to Nazi-style dictatorship. The Bush administration and its team of multi-national corporate profiteers continue co-opting the U.S. Congress, military, police and commerce. So here's the Censored News challenge to U.S. journalists: Walk out for truth. Just get your personal items together, shut down the computer and walk out! It is as easy as that to bring about a revolution for truth.
Questions journalists never ask
More at: http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/
Roberto Rodriguez: Questions journalists never ask
Columnist Rodriguez asks hard questions on Iraq, torture, impeachment, border xenophobia and US spyingCOLUMN OF THE AMERICAS
AUG. 4, 2008
QUESTIONS JOURNALISTS NEVER ASK
BY ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ
Having recently returned from a national journalism conference, I was reminded how most national mainstream journalists nowadays fail to ask the most basic of questions of powerful corporate executives or government officials. This is especially true in regards to issues of war and peace, where many journalists and commentators seemingly continue to act as government stenographers at best, and cheerleader sat worst.
Since 911 of 2001, many journalists have begun to fear that being watchdogs of freedom will brand them as disloyal and anti-American.
Here are some questions you will most likely not hear in the next few months from mainstream journalists.
(Here are excerpts from the column)
Questions for President Bush:
• If everything you warned about regarding Iraq was demonstrably false, why should you – or anyone who has supported your policies – be believed about anything regarding Iran or anything else for that matter?
• If the United States is the only nation ever to use nuclear weapons in wartime against civilian populations, where does this nation get its moral authority on this issue?...
Questions for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi:
• By taking impeachment hearings "off the table," did you not unilaterally disarm Congress in your effort to end the Iraq War and to hold the president accountable for starting an illegal, immoral and unnecessary war? ...
Questions for John McCain:
• You voted to prohibit U.S. military personnel from utilizing torture ("enhanced interrogation techniques"), yet you sided with the president to exempt the CIA from this prohibition. Doesn't this loophole render the prohibition meaningless? ...
Questions for Barack Obama:
• One of your steadfast positions in the primaries was your opposition to granting immunity to telecommunications companies that cooperated with the White House in spying on Americans without warrants. Why have you now changed positions?
• The president and vice president have amassed unprecedented executive power. Will you reverse this, including ceasing the practice of signing statements that thwart the intent of Congress?
• You appear to believe that the Afghan War is a "just war." How long are you prepared to stay there? How much money and how many lives are you prepared to lose?
Questions for CNN's Lou Dobbs & Other anti-Immigrants:
• You are always quick to point out that you have nothing against legal immigrants. However, on "the street," this disdain [and the accompanying hate crimes] is focused on brown peoples. How do you and the people you have stirred up, distinguish between "legal" and"illegal" immigrants without resorting to racial profiling?
• Every evening, you tie the notion of broken borders and illegal immigration to the future of this nation. Do you honestly believe that your nightly obsession is contributing to a more perfect union?
Read full column:
http://web.mac.com/columnoftheamericas/Site/ColumnoftheAmericas/Entries/2008/8/4_QUESTIONS_JOURNALISTS_NEVER_ASK.html
Rodriguez can be reached at XColumn@gmail.com or
Column of the Americas, PO BOX 85476 - Tucson, AZ 85754
International Day of Indigenous Peoples in Tucson August 10, 2008
Contact: Jose R. Matus (520) 979-2125
International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples Community Event & Fundraiser
Join Us on SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2008
IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, INDIGENOUS RIGHTS AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN TUCSON AND SOUTHERN ARIZONA U.S.- MEXICO BORDER REGION!
ARMORY PARK SENIOR CENTER
205 SOUTH 5TH AVENUE
TUCSON, ARIZONA
6:00 pm
Tucson—The Alianza Indígena Sin Fronteras, in a joint community partnership with the Coalición de Derechos Humanos and the Borderlands Theaters –Indigenous Community Standing In Circle Group, invite the community to commemorate International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples on Sunday, August 10, 2008. The official day recognized by the United Nations is August 9, and was first celebrated in 1994 at the beginning of the International Decade of the World Indigenous Peoples.
The event will begin at 6:00pm at the Armory Park Center. A regional Indigenous speaker forum will feature Indigenous leaders from throughout the Southwest who will speak about various issues affecting Indigenous communities, and the importance of World Indigenous Peoples Day, which serves as an anchor event in furtherance of collective and individual interest on our long range social justice movement sustainability.
There will be food available, and music provided by local bands: Francisco Gonzalez Harocho Harp music and Francisco Gonzalez Jr. Classical music and a Tohono O’Odham Chicken Scratch Band will provide the dancing music. The event is free and open to the community.
The Alianza Indígena Sin Fronteras has celebrated and recognized International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples since 2004 as part of our commitment to promote respect for Indigenous individual and collective rights, cultural rights and identity, rights to education, health, employment, language, and others. The Coalición de Derechos Humanos is a community organization that works to promote respect for human/civil rights and fights the militarization of the Southern Border region.
All proceeds will go to benefit the Alianza Indígena Sin Fronteras and the Coalición de Derechos Humanos, for the enhancement and promotion of Southern Border and Social Justice Movement in the U.S.-México Border region.
International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples Community Event & Fundraiser
Join Us on SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2008
IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, INDIGENOUS RIGHTS AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN TUCSON AND SOUTHERN ARIZONA U.S.- MEXICO BORDER REGION!
ARMORY PARK SENIOR CENTER
205 SOUTH 5TH AVENUE
TUCSON, ARIZONA
6:00 pm
Tucson—The Alianza Indígena Sin Fronteras, in a joint community partnership with the Coalición de Derechos Humanos and the Borderlands Theaters –Indigenous Community Standing In Circle Group, invite the community to commemorate International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples on Sunday, August 10, 2008. The official day recognized by the United Nations is August 9, and was first celebrated in 1994 at the beginning of the International Decade of the World Indigenous Peoples.
The event will begin at 6:00pm at the Armory Park Center. A regional Indigenous speaker forum will feature Indigenous leaders from throughout the Southwest who will speak about various issues affecting Indigenous communities, and the importance of World Indigenous Peoples Day, which serves as an anchor event in furtherance of collective and individual interest on our long range social justice movement sustainability.
There will be food available, and music provided by local bands: Francisco Gonzalez Harocho Harp music and Francisco Gonzalez Jr. Classical music and a Tohono O’Odham Chicken Scratch Band will provide the dancing music. The event is free and open to the community.
The Alianza Indígena Sin Fronteras has celebrated and recognized International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples since 2004 as part of our commitment to promote respect for Indigenous individual and collective rights, cultural rights and identity, rights to education, health, employment, language, and others. The Coalición de Derechos Humanos is a community organization that works to promote respect for human/civil rights and fights the militarization of the Southern Border region.
All proceeds will go to benefit the Alianza Indígena Sin Fronteras and the Coalición de Derechos Humanos, for the enhancement and promotion of Southern Border and Social Justice Movement in the U.S.-México Border region.
Mohawk women file demand for rule of law
MOHAWK WOMEN FILE DEMAND: CANADA MUST RESPECT THE 'RULE OF LAW'
Mohawk Nation News
Aug. 4, 2008. The following “Letter of Demand” was sent to the Attorney General of Canada. We are reminding them to fulfill their obligation to us as our historic allies to protect our rights. Canada Border Services Agents has illegally erected facilities in the midst of our community of Akwesasne and is illegally interfering with our right to live peacefully among our people. In particular, criminal assaults have been conducted against members of our community, including the assault against Kahentinetha and Katenies on June 14th 2008 at the “Cornwall Ontario” check point. According to the Canadian Constitution Canada is governed by the rule of law and everyone is equal before the law. This means that Canadian officials must obey the law, just like everyone else. When they commit an assault they should be charged with an assault under the Criminal Code just like anyone else who commits an assault. According to Federal Court of Canada rules, the Attorney General must answer this letter by August 22, 2008.
LETTER OF DEMAND
Date: July 23, 2008
WITHOUT PREJUDICE
TO: Hon. Robert Douglas Nicholson
Minister of Justice & Attorney General of Canada
284 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H8
613-941-6900 nicholson.r@parl.gc.ca
TAKE NOTICE THAT ON JUNE 14, 2008, KAHENTINETHA AND KATENIES, MEMBERS OF THE KANION’KE:HAKA/MOHAWK NATION, WERE ASSAULTED, BRUTALIZED, ARRESTED AND DETAINED ILLEGALLY AT THE CORNWALL BORDER.
The following are the facts giving rise to this incident.
1.On June 14, 2008 Sakowaiaks and Kahentinetha went to Akwesasne to pick up Katenies. Kahentinetha is a 68 year old grandmother. Katenies is 43 years old and also a grandmother.
2.At approximately 2:00 pm they were passing through the Canadian border control on the Cornwall portion. Akwesasne is a small community. The Canada-U.S. border has been placed in the middle of the Mohawk community. The people have to cross the border many times a day for groceries or to visit relatives.
3.Katenies, Kahentinetha and Sakowaiaks went through the border and were told to wait under the canopy. They sat there peacefully for an hour surrounded by guards. Some Mohawk elders showed up to witness. Several other vehicles were searched and released. Only Indigenous people were stopped. Eventually a platoon of about a dozen guards marched towards the car, all wearing leather gloves, flack jackets and all kinds of equipment hanging about their waist. One officer, Maurice Saucier [Badge #16121], was on the cell phone throughout directing operations during the attack on Kahentinetha and Katenies.
4.At approximately 3:00 pm Katenies was dragged violently from the back seat of the car by a gang of hefty young men and women. They knocked her down, pinned her to the ground, and forced their knees into her head and back. They handcuffed her and smashed and rubbed her face into the pavement. Sakowaiaks still remembers the sound of flesh hitting the pavement. She received bleeding scrapes and bruises on her face, shoulders, arms and legs. Katenies’ was taken into the customs building and later to Ottawa. She was not given any medical attention. She was not allowed to call her mother and her mother was not permitted to see her or speak to her. Katenies was held incommunicado for three days until she appeared in Cornwall court on June 17, 2008.
5.There were no warrants or charges out for Kahentinetha. Her ID and car keys had already been taken. Katenies’ has not been returned. Also missing are documents that were in the trunk and the shoes taken from Kahentinetha’s feet.
6.It was only after the assault on Katenies began that Kahentinetha was ordered to get out of the car. She saw what they were planning to do to her. Kahentinetha heard Maurice Saucier tell the other agents to “Take her out”. On June 14th 2008 she was afraid for her life if she got out of the car. She was right and continues to be afraid.
7.She was handcuffed, assaulted and imprisoned. Once in the cell, the attack continued. Some of the officers deliberately tightened the handcuffs she was wearing several times. This cut the circulation to her hands. The pain shot up her arms and she experienced flashes of light and pains in the middle of her chest and back. She cried for help. The guards ignored her and tightened the handcuffs more. They yelled threats at her and kept ordering her to bend down. A man stood behind her and had his hands on her pants. She received scrapes and bruises on her arms and legs.
8.Frank Horn, a Cornwall lawyer, and his son Kanatase, happened to be waiting in the line at the border. [613-935-8882]. They wouldn’t let him see his sister, Kahentinetha, until they took off the cuffs and gave her a chair to sit on. When he saw her, he immediately insisted on calling an ambulance. The Akwesasne Police stood and watched in silence. The ambulance took her to Cornwall Community Hospital and the Ottawa Ontario Heart Institute. She remained in hospital for 5 days in the trauma unit and intensive care unit. Since that time she had a relapse and was hospitalized at the Anna Laberge Hospital in Chateauguay Quebec.
9.The medical record confirms that despite excellent physical condition Kahentinetha had a trauma induced heart attack. Her recovery will take a long time. Part of her heart was killed. Her health will never be the same. Both women are now recuperating in the company of their children and grandchildren.
10.None of these women is associated with any kind of criminal activity.
11.The video footage of the assaults on Kahentinetha and Katenies on June 14th 2008 have been confiscated by Canada‘s Department of “National Defense”. We are informed the only way to obtain these videos is to “waive our rights”. .
12.Some of the CBSA officers had the following badge numbers: 17012; 16320; 16511; 16121; and 16275; Some of those involved and responsible for border issues are Alain Jolicoeur, President of CBSA 613-952-3200; Lance Markel, District Director CBSA 613-930-3234; Hon. Stockwell Day, Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness 613-995-1703 day.s@parl.gc.ca; Dave MacKenzie, Parliamentary Secretary, Public Safety, 613-995-4432 mackenzie.d@parl.gc.ca; Akwesasne Mohawk Police 613-575-2250 ext. 2400; and Louis Mitchell, Mohawk Security 613-932-5183, 613-575-2340;
13.We have reason to believe that the Canadian “state” conspired to kill us. These assaults appear to have been carried out by the Canada Border Security Agency, Canada Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services and Mohawk Security Officers, all agencies of the Canadian government. The courts of “Canada” are presently issuing false charges and attempting to serve warrants on Kahentinetha and Katenies.
Demand for Relief:
14. The individuals who assaulted the three women must be charged, tried and punished.15.Full and complete undoctored copies of the video footage of this event.16.Full disclosure of all files and official communications concerning the cases of Kahentinetha and Katenies.17.$10 million for physical, psychological and punitive damages and such other relief as this court may deem fit.
Deadline for settlement:
18.An order that all Canadian government agencies will respect the time delays set out in the rules of court.
From:
Kahentinetha, Bear Clan __________________
kahentinetha2@yahoo.comj
Katenies, Bear Clan ______________________
katenies20@yahoo.com
% Box 991, Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada J0L 1B0, 450-635-9345
Address for service: for the purposes of this proceeding only, service to be made % Julio Peris, 625 Rene-Levesque West, Suite 900, Montreal Quebec H3B 1R2 – 514-933-4656 Fax 514-933-9587.
PLEASE NOTE : As can be seen, it’s becoming critical for legal actions to be taken to protect our rights. We have no funds. Canada is hiring costly law firms to suppress our rights. If you can donate anything to our cause, it will be greatly appreciated. Donate to: PayPal, http://www.mohawknationnews.com/, or “MNN Mohawk Nation News”, Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0. Nia:en/Thank you very much.
Mohawk Nation News
Aug. 4, 2008. The following “Letter of Demand” was sent to the Attorney General of Canada. We are reminding them to fulfill their obligation to us as our historic allies to protect our rights. Canada Border Services Agents has illegally erected facilities in the midst of our community of Akwesasne and is illegally interfering with our right to live peacefully among our people. In particular, criminal assaults have been conducted against members of our community, including the assault against Kahentinetha and Katenies on June 14th 2008 at the “Cornwall Ontario” check point. According to the Canadian Constitution Canada is governed by the rule of law and everyone is equal before the law. This means that Canadian officials must obey the law, just like everyone else. When they commit an assault they should be charged with an assault under the Criminal Code just like anyone else who commits an assault. According to Federal Court of Canada rules, the Attorney General must answer this letter by August 22, 2008.
LETTER OF DEMAND
Date: July 23, 2008
WITHOUT PREJUDICE
TO: Hon. Robert Douglas Nicholson
Minister of Justice & Attorney General of Canada
284 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H8
613-941-6900 nicholson.r@parl.gc.ca
TAKE NOTICE THAT ON JUNE 14, 2008, KAHENTINETHA AND KATENIES, MEMBERS OF THE KANION’KE:HAKA/MOHAWK NATION, WERE ASSAULTED, BRUTALIZED, ARRESTED AND DETAINED ILLEGALLY AT THE CORNWALL BORDER.
The following are the facts giving rise to this incident.
1.On June 14, 2008 Sakowaiaks and Kahentinetha went to Akwesasne to pick up Katenies. Kahentinetha is a 68 year old grandmother. Katenies is 43 years old and also a grandmother.
2.At approximately 2:00 pm they were passing through the Canadian border control on the Cornwall portion. Akwesasne is a small community. The Canada-U.S. border has been placed in the middle of the Mohawk community. The people have to cross the border many times a day for groceries or to visit relatives.
3.Katenies, Kahentinetha and Sakowaiaks went through the border and were told to wait under the canopy. They sat there peacefully for an hour surrounded by guards. Some Mohawk elders showed up to witness. Several other vehicles were searched and released. Only Indigenous people were stopped. Eventually a platoon of about a dozen guards marched towards the car, all wearing leather gloves, flack jackets and all kinds of equipment hanging about their waist. One officer, Maurice Saucier [Badge #16121], was on the cell phone throughout directing operations during the attack on Kahentinetha and Katenies.
4.At approximately 3:00 pm Katenies was dragged violently from the back seat of the car by a gang of hefty young men and women. They knocked her down, pinned her to the ground, and forced their knees into her head and back. They handcuffed her and smashed and rubbed her face into the pavement. Sakowaiaks still remembers the sound of flesh hitting the pavement. She received bleeding scrapes and bruises on her face, shoulders, arms and legs. Katenies’ was taken into the customs building and later to Ottawa. She was not given any medical attention. She was not allowed to call her mother and her mother was not permitted to see her or speak to her. Katenies was held incommunicado for three days until she appeared in Cornwall court on June 17, 2008.
5.There were no warrants or charges out for Kahentinetha. Her ID and car keys had already been taken. Katenies’ has not been returned. Also missing are documents that were in the trunk and the shoes taken from Kahentinetha’s feet.
6.It was only after the assault on Katenies began that Kahentinetha was ordered to get out of the car. She saw what they were planning to do to her. Kahentinetha heard Maurice Saucier tell the other agents to “Take her out”. On June 14th 2008 she was afraid for her life if she got out of the car. She was right and continues to be afraid.
7.She was handcuffed, assaulted and imprisoned. Once in the cell, the attack continued. Some of the officers deliberately tightened the handcuffs she was wearing several times. This cut the circulation to her hands. The pain shot up her arms and she experienced flashes of light and pains in the middle of her chest and back. She cried for help. The guards ignored her and tightened the handcuffs more. They yelled threats at her and kept ordering her to bend down. A man stood behind her and had his hands on her pants. She received scrapes and bruises on her arms and legs.
8.Frank Horn, a Cornwall lawyer, and his son Kanatase, happened to be waiting in the line at the border. [613-935-8882]. They wouldn’t let him see his sister, Kahentinetha, until they took off the cuffs and gave her a chair to sit on. When he saw her, he immediately insisted on calling an ambulance. The Akwesasne Police stood and watched in silence. The ambulance took her to Cornwall Community Hospital and the Ottawa Ontario Heart Institute. She remained in hospital for 5 days in the trauma unit and intensive care unit. Since that time she had a relapse and was hospitalized at the Anna Laberge Hospital in Chateauguay Quebec.
9.The medical record confirms that despite excellent physical condition Kahentinetha had a trauma induced heart attack. Her recovery will take a long time. Part of her heart was killed. Her health will never be the same. Both women are now recuperating in the company of their children and grandchildren.
10.None of these women is associated with any kind of criminal activity.
11.The video footage of the assaults on Kahentinetha and Katenies on June 14th 2008 have been confiscated by Canada‘s Department of “National Defense”. We are informed the only way to obtain these videos is to “waive our rights”. .
12.Some of the CBSA officers had the following badge numbers: 17012; 16320; 16511; 16121; and 16275; Some of those involved and responsible for border issues are Alain Jolicoeur, President of CBSA 613-952-3200; Lance Markel, District Director CBSA 613-930-3234; Hon. Stockwell Day, Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness 613-995-1703 day.s@parl.gc.ca; Dave MacKenzie, Parliamentary Secretary, Public Safety, 613-995-4432 mackenzie.d@parl.gc.ca; Akwesasne Mohawk Police 613-575-2250 ext. 2400; and Louis Mitchell, Mohawk Security 613-932-5183, 613-575-2340;
13.We have reason to believe that the Canadian “state” conspired to kill us. These assaults appear to have been carried out by the Canada Border Security Agency, Canada Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services and Mohawk Security Officers, all agencies of the Canadian government. The courts of “Canada” are presently issuing false charges and attempting to serve warrants on Kahentinetha and Katenies.
Demand for Relief:
14. The individuals who assaulted the three women must be charged, tried and punished.15.Full and complete undoctored copies of the video footage of this event.16.Full disclosure of all files and official communications concerning the cases of Kahentinetha and Katenies.17.$10 million for physical, psychological and punitive damages and such other relief as this court may deem fit.
Deadline for settlement:
18.An order that all Canadian government agencies will respect the time delays set out in the rules of court.
From:
Kahentinetha, Bear Clan __________________
kahentinetha2@yahoo.comj
Katenies, Bear Clan ______________________
katenies20@yahoo.com
% Box 991, Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada J0L 1B0, 450-635-9345
Address for service: for the purposes of this proceeding only, service to be made % Julio Peris, 625 Rene-Levesque West, Suite 900, Montreal Quebec H3B 1R2 – 514-933-4656 Fax 514-933-9587.
PLEASE NOTE : As can be seen, it’s becoming critical for legal actions to be taken to protect our rights. We have no funds. Canada is hiring costly law firms to suppress our rights. If you can donate anything to our cause, it will be greatly appreciated. Donate to: PayPal, http://www.mohawknationnews.com/, or “MNN Mohawk Nation News”, Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0. Nia:en/Thank you very much.
August 3, 2008
Underreported Indigenous Struggles: Mining, toxic dumps and destruction
Photo 1: Portest of Maricopa Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Tucso.
Photo Brenda Norrell 
Photo 2: Indigenous Environmental Network's Protecting Mother Earth Confeence on Western Shoshone lands in August. Photo Brenda Norrell
Underreported Indigenous Struggles
Photo 2: Indigenous Environmental Network's Protecting Mother Earth Confeence on Western Shoshone lands in August. Photo Brenda Norrell
Underreported Indigenous Struggles
Reposted from:
Underreported Struggles #16
Indigenous peoples and farmers faced multiple attacks in Guatemala last month; while in Brazil, the government began preparing to station military forces on indigenous lands circling the border. In Canada, the Takla Lake First Nation continued blocking access roads on their territory, and in Fafak, 46 West Papuans were arrested, beaten, and humiliated for holding a flag-raising ceremony.
Meanwhile, Indigenous People in Guam, Papua New Guinea, Peru, India, America, Bolivia and elsewhere, positioned themselves to resist a series of new development projects that threaten to devastate their lands, contaminate their waters, and help destroy their way of life.
Underreported Struggles #16, July 2008 July 30
Brazil army to permanently occupy indigenous territories
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed a decree last week to permanently station the military on every indigenous reserve along the border. The indigenous peoples are concerned the army will start taking their lands, influencing their cultures, terrifying them with surprise maneuvers, and raping their women — none of which is unprecedented.
July 29 Tribal group refuses to abandon homes for Vedanta
The Dongria Kondh, and indigenous people from the Indian state of Orissa, have stated they have no intention of abandoning their land for a controversial mining project headed by Vedanta. The Indian Supreme court is currently deciding whether or not the mine can proceed. If it does, the Kondh will face displacement from their traditional lands.
July 25 46 arrested for raising West Papua Independence flag
In the early hours of Saturday, July 19th, Indonesian police arrested 46 people at a flag raising ceremony in Fafak state. According local reports, the Indonesian Police attacked the group, “beating them, kicking them with boots and torturing the demonstrators. The men in the group were then stripped to their underwear before being taken to the Police compound. Two women were included in those arrested.”
July 22 China’s Colonizing Africa, While We Talk Charity
“From Nigeria in the north, to Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Angola in the west, across Chad and Sudan in the east, and south through Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique,” writes Andrew Malone, “China has seized a vice-like grip on a continent which officials have decided is crucial to the superpower’s long-term survival.”
July 21 Popular Assembly Held to Prohibit Uranium Mining
The Indigenous Municipality of Tilcara, in northern Argentina’s Quebrada de Humahuaca district, has ratified legislation that prohibits open-pit metal mining, as well as the storage, use, sale, production, extraction and transportation of dangerous substances used in the mining process. Tilcara announced its decision on July 8, in the final days of a popular assembly that convened in response to Argentina’s expanding uranium industry.
Listen to audio from the Protecting Mother Earth Conference
At Earthcycles.net you can listen to discussions from the 15th Indigenous Environmental Network Protecting Mother Earth Conference, held July 17 — 20, 2008, on Newe Segobia (Western Shoshone) lands, at South Fork, Nevada.
July 20
Canada’s Cameco targets Lakota homelands with uranium mining
Cameco, the company that just bought 500 tons of Iraqi yellow cake via the US and transported to Montreal, has targeted the Lakota homelands. “To Cameco, it’s about financial profit. To us, it’s about wasting and destroying water, and deadly contaminants that can never be contained or cleaned being released into the environment. Many generations of the future will be impacted by lethal contaminants, our generations will become stricken with fatal diseases.”
July 19 Residents of Ni’lin continue to fight Israel’s efforts to take their land
Ni’lin’s story is one of incremental dispossession. Since the 1940’s, Israel has been slowly expropriating sections of land held by this agragiran community. And now they’ve had enough. “In the beginning of May they launched a popular campaign to stop the dispossession, and despite the brutal attempts to suppress the uprising – which has included a curfew and shootings that have left close to 200 people injured — they are unwilling to bow down. This is no minor feat, since the annals of history suggest that it is extremely rare for a whole town to stand up as one person and practice daily acts of disobedience, particularly when confronted with such a violent response.”
July 18 Barriere Lake Algonquins Return to Ottawa
The Barriere Lake Algonquins are once again back in Ottawa for a three day protest. Camping out on Victoria Island, the community, alongside Montreal and Ottawa activists, has organized a panel discussion, a series of protests, marches, and events including a panel discussion, film screening, and poetry show. Last time the Algonquins came to Ottawa, they peacefully occupied MP Lawrence Cannon’s office, demanding the end of a March coup d’etat the government enacted on their reserve.
Tohono O’odham Demand Halt to Construction of Border Wall
On Thursday, July 10, the O’odham Solidarity Project issued a call to mobilize against the proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall. With the April 1st announcement by the Department of Homeland Security suspending thirty six federal laws to finish the wall by the end of the year, the O’odham way of life, their traditions, religious practices, sacred sites, and pilgrimage routes are now threatened.
July 17 Semai Forest Preserved Temporarily from Logging
Spectacular Rafflesia flowers and Rajah Brooke Birdwing butterflies are among the highlights of a Semai nature reserve in Perak State, Malaysia, that has faced the threat of logging for years. Last week, the state government issued a stop-work order to prevent any more logging, at least temporarily, in the vicinity of the Bukit Kinta Forest Reserve.
July 14 Bolivians Declare Emergency Over Brazil Dams
Indigenous People, local communities and labour groups in Bolivia and Brazil have declared an emergency in response to the Madeira River Hydroelectric Complex, a series of four dams along the Madeira river… Once completed, two of the dams would “flood and otherwise devastate Bolivian communities upstream, forcing the relocation of 300 known communities, as well as possibly destroying the territory of uncontacted indigenous communities.”
July 11 Federal police occupy Mexican village in toxic waste fight
For the past two weeks, some 200 troops from Mexico’s elite Federal Preventive Police (PFP) have occupied the village of Zimapán, Hidalgo, the scene of protests over a toxic waste site that the Spanish firm Befesa is scheduled to open this month.
Indigenous people mark the return of Cape York land
Yesterday, Lama Lama elders and many from the younger generations attended an historic Ceremony which marked the return of 110,000 hectares to its indigenous owners. A large portion of the land has been categorized as a national park,which will be co-managed by the State Government and the Lama Lama people.
Arizona tribes oppose land swap for mining
Arizona tribes are against allowing mining near sacred Apache sites. The tribes testified at a Senate hearing on Wednesday on S.3157, which authorizes a land swap between the federal government and Resolution Copper Co. Resolution would be able to open a copper mine on the land it receives. The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona testified against the bill, citing concerns by the San Carlos Apache Tribe. The copper mine would be located near a sacred site called Apache Leap.
July 10 Peru: Matsés indigenous people say no to oil exploration
The Matsés, a tribe of 2,500 people in the remote Peruvian Amazon, have rejected plans by the Peruvian government to explore for oil on their land. The government has created five exploration “lots” overlapping Matsés territory, and signed deals opening them to two companies, Pacific Stratus Energy and Occidental Oil & Gas of Peru. “No adequate process of consultation was carried out during the creation of these lots, not as the lots were being auctioned, nor when the contracts were signed between the oil companies and the Peruvian government.”
(more news here and here)
Indigenous Communities Oppose Deep Sea Mining
During the last week of June, indigenous representatives from the Bismark Sea region of Papua New Guinea held a three day gathering to discuss deep sea mining and what dangers they may face as a result of this experimental mining process. After three days of talks, the representatives emerged as the Bismarck Solomon Seas Indigenous Peoples Council, with a plan to oppose Nautilus’ and any other deep sea mining project in their territories until their concerns are heard and properly addressed.“Crackdown on Local Citizens Opposing Goldcorp’s “Marlin Mine Escalates in San Marcos, Guatemala
Tensions have increased in recent days in San Miguel Ixthauacán, located in the western highlands of Guatemala, as local opponents to the Canadian company Goldcorp’s profitable “Marlin” mine have received nine new arrest warrants, contributing to an escalating climate of tension for human rights defenders and community organizers in the region.
Guatamelan Campesinos Face Kidaps, Multiple Attacks
Rights Action has sent a media alert concerning the safety of members belonging to the National Committee of CUC (the Campesino Unity Committee) and more than 100 Maya Keqchi families from the Alta Verapaz region of Guatemala. Since June 30, they’ve faced multiple attacks and kidnappings by paramilitaries associated with the bio fuel agribusiness, Ingenio Guadelupe.
Six Nations Halt Construction at Five SitesOn Monday, about 150 Six Nations People stopped construction at a numb
er of development projects in Brantford, ignoring last month’s court injunction that prohibits ‘native protests.’ “Our people have been patient and today our patience has run out,” said Butch Thomas, a Seneca sub-chief. “Any new development in this area or on our land has got to stop. Today is the first day of taking back our territory.”
July 9 Indigenous Peoples’ Declaration on G8 Summit
Prior the G8 Summit in Japan this year indigenous peoples from around the world gathered in Ainu Mosir. This is the official declaration they have prepared.
July 6 Takla Lake Escalates Blockade
In response to the Canadian government’s continued refusal to deal with their concerns, the Takla Lake First Nation has blockaded a second access road to their traditional territory. “The situation is urgent”, states Chief Dolly Abraham. “We need to sit down with the Province and with all mining companies in our Territory if any exploration is to be allowed this year. “We will keep the blockade up until several urgent issues are meaningfully dealt with.”
July 4 Bear Butte bar gets nod for liquor license
The 3-2 vote came after about an hour and a half of testimony from representatives of Target Logistics — a Boston-based company that intends to buy the embattled campground — and Native Americans, concerned citizens and other activists who support a development buffer or an alcohol ban near Bear Butte.
Activists protest ‘violation’ of fishing rights
MEMBERS of the Taotaomona Native Rights Group protested at Matapang Beach Park in Tumon yesterday as they waved the Guam flag and carried signs to appeal to the community, stating that their fishing rights as an indigenous people are being violated. “We have been deprived to fish freely or to hunt freely. If we are caught, we are cited as committing an ‘offense.’ We are arrested, charged fines, even face the threat of jail. These injustices imposed against us is totally wrong!”
Mi’kmaq and Maliseet Say NO to Uranium mining
With Canada’s Uranium boom in overdrive, more and more indigenous peoples are being threatened by the scourge that is the uranium industry. The latest threat, according to Ruth Levi, President of the Mawiw Council of First Nations, concerns the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet on the east coast. Ruth says the two Nations “are experiencing growing frustration with the approach of industry and government toward achieving development and self-sufficiency in the province.”
Videos
Penusah Tana: The Forgotten Struggle
Penusah Tana: The Forgotten Struggle, is the story of the forest-dwelling Penan tribe of Sarawak, on the island of Borneo. Historically, the Penan maintained a harmonious relationship with the rainforest, one that could have went on forever. Today, however, the Penan’s relationship is nearing its end, along with the rainforest itself. The Algonquins of Barriere Lake
The Algonquins of Barriere Lake is a 41-minute documentary that illustrates the Algonquin community’s decades-long struggle to have their land and resource rights recognized by Canada and the Province of Quebec.
Photo by Rita Willaert
Originally posted at Intercontinental Cry.org
Underreported Struggles #16
Indigenous peoples and farmers faced multiple attacks in Guatemala last month; while in Brazil, the government began preparing to station military forces on indigenous lands circling the border. In Canada, the Takla Lake First Nation continued blocking access roads on their territory, and in Fafak, 46 West Papuans were arrested, beaten, and humiliated for holding a flag-raising ceremony.
Meanwhile, Indigenous People in Guam, Papua New Guinea, Peru, India, America, Bolivia and elsewhere, positioned themselves to resist a series of new development projects that threaten to devastate their lands, contaminate their waters, and help destroy their way of life.
Underreported Struggles #16, July 2008 July 30
Brazil army to permanently occupy indigenous territories
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed a decree last week to permanently station the military on every indigenous reserve along the border. The indigenous peoples are concerned the army will start taking their lands, influencing their cultures, terrifying them with surprise maneuvers, and raping their women — none of which is unprecedented.
July 29 Tribal group refuses to abandon homes for Vedanta
The Dongria Kondh, and indigenous people from the Indian state of Orissa, have stated they have no intention of abandoning their land for a controversial mining project headed by Vedanta. The Indian Supreme court is currently deciding whether or not the mine can proceed. If it does, the Kondh will face displacement from their traditional lands.
July 25 46 arrested for raising West Papua Independence flag
In the early hours of Saturday, July 19th, Indonesian police arrested 46 people at a flag raising ceremony in Fafak state. According local reports, the Indonesian Police attacked the group, “beating them, kicking them with boots and torturing the demonstrators. The men in the group were then stripped to their underwear before being taken to the Police compound. Two women were included in those arrested.”
July 22 China’s Colonizing Africa, While We Talk Charity
“From Nigeria in the north, to Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Angola in the west, across Chad and Sudan in the east, and south through Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique,” writes Andrew Malone, “China has seized a vice-like grip on a continent which officials have decided is crucial to the superpower’s long-term survival.”
July 21 Popular Assembly Held to Prohibit Uranium Mining
The Indigenous Municipality of Tilcara, in northern Argentina’s Quebrada de Humahuaca district, has ratified legislation that prohibits open-pit metal mining, as well as the storage, use, sale, production, extraction and transportation of dangerous substances used in the mining process. Tilcara announced its decision on July 8, in the final days of a popular assembly that convened in response to Argentina’s expanding uranium industry.
Listen to audio from the Protecting Mother Earth Conference
At Earthcycles.net you can listen to discussions from the 15th Indigenous Environmental Network Protecting Mother Earth Conference, held July 17 — 20, 2008, on Newe Segobia (Western Shoshone) lands, at South Fork, Nevada.
July 20
Canada’s Cameco targets Lakota homelands with uranium mining
Cameco, the company that just bought 500 tons of Iraqi yellow cake via the US and transported to Montreal, has targeted the Lakota homelands. “To Cameco, it’s about financial profit. To us, it’s about wasting and destroying water, and deadly contaminants that can never be contained or cleaned being released into the environment. Many generations of the future will be impacted by lethal contaminants, our generations will become stricken with fatal diseases.”
July 19 Residents of Ni’lin continue to fight Israel’s efforts to take their land
Ni’lin’s story is one of incremental dispossession. Since the 1940’s, Israel has been slowly expropriating sections of land held by this agragiran community. And now they’ve had enough. “In the beginning of May they launched a popular campaign to stop the dispossession, and despite the brutal attempts to suppress the uprising – which has included a curfew and shootings that have left close to 200 people injured — they are unwilling to bow down. This is no minor feat, since the annals of history suggest that it is extremely rare for a whole town to stand up as one person and practice daily acts of disobedience, particularly when confronted with such a violent response.”
July 18 Barriere Lake Algonquins Return to Ottawa
The Barriere Lake Algonquins are once again back in Ottawa for a three day protest. Camping out on Victoria Island, the community, alongside Montreal and Ottawa activists, has organized a panel discussion, a series of protests, marches, and events including a panel discussion, film screening, and poetry show. Last time the Algonquins came to Ottawa, they peacefully occupied MP Lawrence Cannon’s office, demanding the end of a March coup d’etat the government enacted on their reserve.
Tohono O’odham Demand Halt to Construction of Border Wall
On Thursday, July 10, the O’odham Solidarity Project issued a call to mobilize against the proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall. With the April 1st announcement by the Department of Homeland Security suspending thirty six federal laws to finish the wall by the end of the year, the O’odham way of life, their traditions, religious practices, sacred sites, and pilgrimage routes are now threatened.
July 17 Semai Forest Preserved Temporarily from Logging
Spectacular Rafflesia flowers and Rajah Brooke Birdwing butterflies are among the highlights of a Semai nature reserve in Perak State, Malaysia, that has faced the threat of logging for years. Last week, the state government issued a stop-work order to prevent any more logging, at least temporarily, in the vicinity of the Bukit Kinta Forest Reserve.
July 14 Bolivians Declare Emergency Over Brazil Dams
Indigenous People, local communities and labour groups in Bolivia and Brazil have declared an emergency in response to the Madeira River Hydroelectric Complex, a series of four dams along the Madeira river… Once completed, two of the dams would “flood and otherwise devastate Bolivian communities upstream, forcing the relocation of 300 known communities, as well as possibly destroying the territory of uncontacted indigenous communities.”
July 11 Federal police occupy Mexican village in toxic waste fight
For the past two weeks, some 200 troops from Mexico’s elite Federal Preventive Police (PFP) have occupied the village of Zimapán, Hidalgo, the scene of protests over a toxic waste site that the Spanish firm Befesa is scheduled to open this month.
Indigenous people mark the return of Cape York land
Yesterday, Lama Lama elders and many from the younger generations attended an historic Ceremony which marked the return of 110,000 hectares to its indigenous owners. A large portion of the land has been categorized as a national park,which will be co-managed by the State Government and the Lama Lama people.
Arizona tribes oppose land swap for mining
Arizona tribes are against allowing mining near sacred Apache sites. The tribes testified at a Senate hearing on Wednesday on S.3157, which authorizes a land swap between the federal government and Resolution Copper Co. Resolution would be able to open a copper mine on the land it receives. The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona testified against the bill, citing concerns by the San Carlos Apache Tribe. The copper mine would be located near a sacred site called Apache Leap.
July 10 Peru: Matsés indigenous people say no to oil exploration
The Matsés, a tribe of 2,500 people in the remote Peruvian Amazon, have rejected plans by the Peruvian government to explore for oil on their land. The government has created five exploration “lots” overlapping Matsés territory, and signed deals opening them to two companies, Pacific Stratus Energy and Occidental Oil & Gas of Peru. “No adequate process of consultation was carried out during the creation of these lots, not as the lots were being auctioned, nor when the contracts were signed between the oil companies and the Peruvian government.”
(more news here and here)
Indigenous Communities Oppose Deep Sea Mining
During the last week of June, indigenous representatives from the Bismark Sea region of Papua New Guinea held a three day gathering to discuss deep sea mining and what dangers they may face as a result of this experimental mining process. After three days of talks, the representatives emerged as the Bismarck Solomon Seas Indigenous Peoples Council, with a plan to oppose Nautilus’ and any other deep sea mining project in their territories until their concerns are heard and properly addressed.“Crackdown on Local Citizens Opposing Goldcorp’s “Marlin Mine Escalates in San Marcos, Guatemala
Tensions have increased in recent days in San Miguel Ixthauacán, located in the western highlands of Guatemala, as local opponents to the Canadian company Goldcorp’s profitable “Marlin” mine have received nine new arrest warrants, contributing to an escalating climate of tension for human rights defenders and community organizers in the region.
Guatamelan Campesinos Face Kidaps, Multiple Attacks
Rights Action has sent a media alert concerning the safety of members belonging to the National Committee of CUC (the Campesino Unity Committee) and more than 100 Maya Keqchi families from the Alta Verapaz region of Guatemala. Since June 30, they’ve faced multiple attacks and kidnappings by paramilitaries associated with the bio fuel agribusiness, Ingenio Guadelupe.
Six Nations Halt Construction at Five SitesOn Monday, about 150 Six Nations People stopped construction at a numb
er of development projects in Brantford, ignoring last month’s court injunction that prohibits ‘native protests.’ “Our people have been patient and today our patience has run out,” said Butch Thomas, a Seneca sub-chief. “Any new development in this area or on our land has got to stop. Today is the first day of taking back our territory.”
July 9 Indigenous Peoples’ Declaration on G8 Summit
Prior the G8 Summit in Japan this year indigenous peoples from around the world gathered in Ainu Mosir. This is the official declaration they have prepared.
July 6 Takla Lake Escalates Blockade
In response to the Canadian government’s continued refusal to deal with their concerns, the Takla Lake First Nation has blockaded a second access road to their traditional territory. “The situation is urgent”, states Chief Dolly Abraham. “We need to sit down with the Province and with all mining companies in our Territory if any exploration is to be allowed this year. “We will keep the blockade up until several urgent issues are meaningfully dealt with.”
July 4 Bear Butte bar gets nod for liquor license
The 3-2 vote came after about an hour and a half of testimony from representatives of Target Logistics — a Boston-based company that intends to buy the embattled campground — and Native Americans, concerned citizens and other activists who support a development buffer or an alcohol ban near Bear Butte.
Activists protest ‘violation’ of fishing rights
MEMBERS of the Taotaomona Native Rights Group protested at Matapang Beach Park in Tumon yesterday as they waved the Guam flag and carried signs to appeal to the community, stating that their fishing rights as an indigenous people are being violated. “We have been deprived to fish freely or to hunt freely. If we are caught, we are cited as committing an ‘offense.’ We are arrested, charged fines, even face the threat of jail. These injustices imposed against us is totally wrong!”
Mi’kmaq and Maliseet Say NO to Uranium mining
With Canada’s Uranium boom in overdrive, more and more indigenous peoples are being threatened by the scourge that is the uranium industry. The latest threat, according to Ruth Levi, President of the Mawiw Council of First Nations, concerns the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet on the east coast. Ruth says the two Nations “are experiencing growing frustration with the approach of industry and government toward achieving development and self-sufficiency in the province.”
Videos
Penusah Tana: The Forgotten Struggle
Penusah Tana: The Forgotten Struggle, is the story of the forest-dwelling Penan tribe of Sarawak, on the island of Borneo. Historically, the Penan maintained a harmonious relationship with the rainforest, one that could have went on forever. Today, however, the Penan’s relationship is nearing its end, along with the rainforest itself. The Algonquins of Barriere Lake
The Algonquins of Barriere Lake is a 41-minute documentary that illustrates the Algonquin community’s decades-long struggle to have their land and resource rights recognized by Canada and the Province of Quebec.
Photo by Rita Willaert
Originally posted at Intercontinental Cry.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)