Standing Rock: "Holiday" Edition
Right now, it seems to be quiet on the frontlines of the Standing Rock resistance, but I expect that something intense will happen over the next few days. The so-called law enforcement and mercenaries hired by the pipeline company seem to plan their attacks when the public is distracted. And then they use the attacks to distract from the fact that the illegal construction of the DAPL continues.
I'm going to repeat that: the construction has never stopped. Not when Obama asked for a delay, not when the Army Corps of Engineers said that a permit had not been issued, not when people were wrongfully arrested and the court cases were thrown out.
Many people all over the country continue to feel inspired to join the water protectors. It's important to remember that this is a Native-run resistance, that those who are heading to Oceti Sakowin are guests of the Sioux Nation, and that those of us who are used to taking charge (especially those of us who benefit from white supremacy because of our perceived skin color or ethnicity) need to listen to Native people and to heed Native leadership. (Sorry if this sounds like scolding. I don't know how else to put it, but see the information below.)
Over this weekend, I encourage you to act from your convictions. Prepare mentally and emotionally for any debates that might arise during the holiday get-togethers. Or, refuse to buy into the propaganda about the origins of Thanksgiving, remove your participation, and instead donate the money you would have spent to the water protectors. Please don't shop on Friday, either in person or online. Please also send love, prayers, and healing intentions to the water protectors. And if you're a more enlightened person than I am, you can also send wishes for compassion and calm to the troops orchestrating the oppression of the Sioux and their allies.
Sending love to all of you, my new caucus99percent family and co-conspirators, from blaze in Arizona.
Comments
Seems sometimes unbearable, doesn't it?
Have nothing much to say. I cannot go. Would be of no use. I try to help in other ways. Effing breaks my heart. We are a sad nation. Founded on violence. It doesn't belong to us. It belongs to the people trying to protect it from abuse and harm. Shame on us.
Thank you for always being on top of this and keeping us informed.
Heartbreaking.
Don't believe everything you think.
Same here
and in point of fact, the tribe really doesn't want people there that can't hang anyway, so I don't feel so bad (because I, too, am not physically fit enough to do something like that). There was a lot of butt-hurt comments from suburbanites on those FB posts, but I am grateful that someone said it. This shit is not for weekend warriors, and anybody that gets mad about being told "hey, don't just show up and expect someone to take care of you" would seem to me to be not all that serious about any of it.
I'm so sad and ashamed, to think we should celebrate "Thanksgiving" is the height of hypocrisy, and it feels dirty. I keep thinking the least I can do is spread the word and maybe try and donate, but am also not sure where best to send $$ to....
here's a link for donations
http://sacredstonecamp.org/supply-list/
You can send money to those addresses, or send actual supplies, or use their Amazon wishlist.
If you'd rather donate to the legal defense fund (mostly used for bail), https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/11B5z8
Thanks for spreading the word and donating.
There is no justice in America, but it is the fight for justice that sustains you.
--Amiri Baraka
The hypocrisy hit me a couple weeks ago
I hope it sinks in tomorrow for a lot of people.
Speaking of hypocrisy. Added without comment. Speaks for itself
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
Harris is unburdened of speaking going forward.
I can no longer listen to these people. n/t
video from this morning
This is long (about 52 minutes), but it really gives you a feel for how the prayer sessions and actions come together. https://www.facebook.com/100007366788772/videos/1790457011209841/
The water protectors were on their way to the blockade on route 1806, but the caravan was broken by the cops, so half of the cars were on one side and half on the other. In this video, you can see the water protectors (about 100 cars, 400 people) gather peacefully in prayer, sage each other, sing, and take turns speaking their truth.
Meanwhile, the number of cops keeps growing, and the cop spokesman keeps saying things like "you're blocking the road" (they are clearly irony-impaired) and threatening arrest and to impound their cars. The Sioux and their allies are polite, respectful (more than the cops deserve, imo), but continue their prayers and statements. You can also hear the plans for the afternoon's action in Bismarck. I haven't found info yet on whether that happened, but what is important is that they are not backing down, not giving up.
There is no justice in America, but it is the fight for justice that sustains you.
--Amiri Baraka
our national shame...
I've donated but can't be there. Sending good thoughts their way. Here's hoping we wake up!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
I can not imagine how the men who are attacking these people
Can justify the brutality that they are committing or how they can treat other human beings this way.
Nor can I imagine that there are so many American people who are okay with this brutality against unarmed peaceful people.
There have been elderly men and women attacked by these men who are protecting an illegal action.
The pipeline builders do not have permission from the army corps of engineers to continue to build this, especially drilling underneath the lake.
Obama is aware of the executive order that Bush signed stating that eminent domain can not be used for private companies unless it benefits the community.
Since the army corps of engineers told them to stop building this, why haven't they done anything to make them stop? Don't they have the authority to stop them?
I do know of one person who does and his two weeks of "letting this play out" is up.
The world is watching your actions or better yet, your inaction Barack Obama and they are watching in utter belief.
I know I am. I am thoroughly disgusted with you standing bye while the people you swore an oath to protect are being attacked.
Shame on you!
From the video I posted, this was Obama's reason for removing Gaddafi from power.
Too bad that there isn't a leader from another country that thinks that they have the responsibility to protect the water projectors.
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
Harris is unburdened of speaking going forward.
yeah, time for native americans to re-name Obama.
Naming someone is a BFD. Time for all of us to admit we were hoodwinked. RENAME that traitor.
Then go as public with it as possible. Scream it to the rooftops, write it to the papers, say it to your elevator companions.
He didn't and never will earn that Nobel, but the People can take back the honor they bestowed upon him when they gave him a name. A snake. A liar. A betrayer. Certainly some chief has a better description that can become his name.
Had he been the guy he promised to be he would have put an end to this atrocity. Now we know he is perverted enough to accept plenty of atrocities.
Obama's failure is but a fraction of the reason why Donald Trump is president.
I aplogize for always being in such haste, blazin AZ...
but a café babylon commenter advised us earlier today after i'd posted a telesur notice that one of the young turks had organized a 'military vets to cannonball dec. 4 thru...i forget the date... a week? cripes, i can't even remember how to embed a tweet here by now; hope this works. ((his subtweets explain more)
sophia wilansky's father said in an interview that the surgeons may have 'saved' her arm, but it will be useless forevermore. goddam them.
try again; it didn't take.
https://twitter.com/garonsen/status/801527725634846725
here's info about military call-out
No apologies needed, Wendy. I appreciate that you're paying attention to what's happening in ND.
According to this article, it's Wes Clark Jr. who has initiated the call to veterans. The Young Turks are just reporting it. http://taskandpurpose.com/where-evil-resides-veterans-deploy-to-standing...
I was just forwarded a letter from the Iraq Veterans Against the War, and several of them are on the way already, planning on helping to winterize the camp.
There is no justice in America, but it is the fight for justice that sustains you.
--Amiri Baraka
Good Advice
And thank you for listing corporations to boycott.
You have a better soul than I.