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News :: Human Rights |
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39th National Day of Mourning |
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by Chuck U. Rosina
Email: chuckbla3 (nospam) yahoo.com (unverified!) |
30 Nov 2008
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United American Indians of New England gathered at Cole's Hill in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and marched with about 150 of their supporters through the streets of Plymouth on Thanksgiving afternoon. They were not there to celebrate the myth of what is taught about the Pilgrims arriving here almost 400 years ago, but rather they want the truth of that time to be told, Native American heritage recognized, and they called for political prisoner, Leonard Peltier to be released. The Wampanoag were the first natives to greet Pilgrims.
LISTEN TO AUDIO REPORT:
http://radio.indymedia.org/es/node/17091
VIDEO (by Michael Borkson):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7shewtqNfEQ |
Before the boisterous march, they gathered on Cole’s Hill, overlooking Plymouth Rock, for a somber ceremony, known as the National Day of Mourning. This was the 39th consecutive year Native Americans and their supporters gathered here for this observance. It began with a spiritual tribute to the 4 directions and all the ancestors that came before. The organizers respectfully requested that this native tradition not be recorded in any form.
Afterwards, they gathered at a small stage a few yards away for a more public event. Munanum James, a Wampanoag with United American Indians of New England greeted his supporters.
MJames
Juan Gonzalez was next to speak. He is a Mayan from Guatemala. He read the words of one of his elders, a woman named
Awella Honna Perchay-ko
Juan
Burt Waters is a native from Cape Cod. He read a letter written by Leonard Peltier specifically for the gathering at the Day of Mourning.
Burt
Some recorded native music was then played, as organizers raised funds for supporting the release of Leonard Peltier.
There was much hope in the air this year, with the election of Barak Obama.
Elaina Ortiz, a Native from the southwest USA, was among those to speak of this.
Elaina
After the speeches, the crowd marched through the streets of Plymouth, chanting for the release of Peltier.
Chant
Jason interview.
As the crowd marched up to Plymouth Rock, they stopped. Munomum James addressed them from the back of a pick-up truck.
MJames rally
A well-known political activist from Boston, Sergio Reyes, who was a political prisoner in Chile under Pinochet, explained why he was there.
Sergio act
Daniel is a Mayan from El Salvador. This was his first Day of Mourning. He was glad to share his thoughts about his experience this day.
Daniel
National Day of Mourning is organized by the United American Indians of New England, and is held every Thanksgiving morning and afternoon in the streets of Plymouth. For the BCRP, I am Chuck Rosina in Plymouth, MA. |
This work is in the public domain. |
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Photos/Video--39th Native American Day Of Mourning |
by Michael Borkson
nosanctions (nospam) yahoo.com (unverified) |
28 Nov 2008
Modified: 09:38:43 PM |
Click on image for a larger version
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Plymouth, Mass.; Thanksgiving Day 2008:
United American Indians Of New England, UAINE, held the 39th National Native American Day Of Mourning on Nov. 27, 2008, Thanksgiving(or thanks-"taking") Day. Several hundred supporters turned out to hear words of protest against the Pilgrims and their descendents genocide against the indigenous people of the Americas.
Speakers spoke of how the European settlers stole Native lands and killed Native people--the true history of Thanksgiving. Started in 1970 to protest the State's censorship of a speech by a Wampanoag man, Wamsutta James,--a speech telling the true history of the genocide of Thanksgiving. The Day Of Mourning has taken place every year since then---dedicated to telling the truth of the injustices done to Native people, and to free wrongfully imprisoned Native American activist
Leonard Peltier.After the speakers, protesters marched through downtown Plymouth and then enjoyed food and fellowship afterwards in the hall of the Unitarian Church nearby.
To see video of the march through Plymouth click on this link :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBUTqekqawU
To see video of spokesperson for Day Of Mourning click on this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7shewtqNfEQ
UAINE's web site:
http://www.UAINE.org |
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See also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBUTqekqawU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7shewtqNfEQ
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