Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Censored Indigenous Peoples' border testimony, a challenge to newspapers


By Brenda Norrell
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/

SAN XAVIER, TOHONO O'ODHAM NATION (Arizona) -- So far, all of the mainstream newspapers have censored the powerful testimony at the Indigenous Peoples' Border Summit of the Americas. There's no excuse for this, since all of the testimony is available online on audio at: www.earthcycles.net/

It couldn't be easier to write about, even for armchair journalists. They can even copy the powerful written testimony of the Mohawk Women Title Holders from the statement, and copy the final report, both online at the Censored Blog.

Perhaps the recorded audio testimony of Mike Wilson, Tohono O'odham, Kahentinetha Horn, Mohawk, and Margo Tamez, Lipan Apache, to mention just three, is too powerful and controversial for newspapers like the New York Times, Washington Post and Los Angeles Times.

The Censored Blog will even provide photos of the speakers at no charge to any media with a serious interest in reporting the truth.

It is far easier for the mainstream media to be caught up in the xenophobia and racism, duped by fear and false spins, and take a formula approach to reporting on the borders.

It is far easier for editors and writers to avoid the fact that traditional Indian people and spiritual leaders in the United States and Canada say their elected tribal councils and band councils are "puppet governments," fashioned after the governments of the invaders. Those puppet councils were designed in the early Twentieth Century to sign energy leases and are now co-opted by Homeland Security and the Border Patrol to oppress Indigenous Peoples at the border, according to Native people.

At the same time, private prison corporations and the gate builders and gate keepers are making fortunes.

Those corporations are not just US corporations either at the border. Israel's defense contractor Elbit Systems (among the builders of the Apartheid Wall in Palestine) was subcontracted by Boeing to construct security at the US/Mexico border. The Wackenhut buses waiting to be filled with migrants at the border are owned by G4S Global Security, in England and Denmark. All the while, Blackwater is waiting at the border, hired guns waiting for a contract.

Meanwhile, some of the mainstream media has finally realized that all federal laws, including those protecting American Indian burial places and those protecting endangered species, have been voided at the US/Mexico border to build the border wall. Homeland Security, using the Real ID Act, has overruled federal law and US courts, deeming itself more powerful than the US laws or US courts.

Now, that the Lipan Apache elderly and women in Texas are under attack by Homeland Security, the Border Patrol and other federal agents, maybe the censorship by the media and complicity of the border wall builders will be shaken.

There are, however, heroes to celebrate, many were at the Indigenous Peoples' Border Summit of the Americas.
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Photo: Contractors building border wall on Tohono O'odham land in Arizona.

Alcatraz Island Sunrise Gathering Thursday

Please double click to enlarge to read about special guests.
Indigenous People's Sunrise Gathering and Community Feast at Intertribal Friendship House
The Indigenous People's Thanksgiving Sunrise Ceremony commemorates the 1969-1971 occupation of Alcatraz Island by the "Indians of All Tribes."
This event is one day, Thursday, November 22, 2007.
Ticket sales and boarding begins at 4:00 am. The first departure from Alcatraz Landing is at 4:15 am with 5 additional departures leaving Alcatraz Landing approximately every 15 minutes. The last departure from Alcatraz Landing will be at 5:30 am.
Boats begin returning from Alcatraz Island at the conclusion of the Sunrise Gathering Ceremony. Participants are welcome to stay on Alcatraz to take the award-winning cellhouse tour beginning at 9:00 am. The cell-house tour is not offered before 9:00 am.
Tickets can be purchased:http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/website/sunrise-gathering.aspx
or by calling 415 981-7625 or at the Pier 33 Ticket Booth.
The ticket booth opens at 4:00 am on Thursday, November 22, 2007. Tickets are $12.00 per person. Children 5 and under are free.
Free community dinner to be held afterwards at Intertribal Friendship House
Dinner is from 1:00- 4:00 PM. Bring a side dish to share!523 International Blvd. Oakland, CA 94606
Volunteers to set up/clean up cook and serve are still needed.1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
If you would like to volunteer come before 12:00 noon to help serve and we need help to clean up!
If you would like to contribute please contact Morning Star Gali at: mstargali@gmail.com

Sheriff Arpaio says its an honor to be compared to KKK

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says it's an HONOR to be compared to KKK

Check out this video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFTUQ71Aq0o
Contact the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to demand accountability.
Fulton Brock (R) District 1 fbrock@mail.maricopa.gov
Don Stapley (R) District 2 dstapley@mail.maricopa.gov
Andrew W. Kunasek (R) District 3 akunasek@mail.maricopa.gov
Max W. Wilson (R) District 4 mwwilson@mail.maricopa.gov
MaryRose Wilcox (D) District 5 http://us.f520.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=mrwilcox@mail.maricopa.gov
!Take Action!
Black Friday Boycott Racism Protest
Friday November 23rd1:00 PM to 4:00 PM35th Street and Thomas
In front of Pruitts Furniture Background:
http://www.barriozona.com/pruitts_store_confrontantion.htmlhttp://www.barriozona.com/