[Nov 24-28] American Indian Movement meeting: "No one is illegal"

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

SAN FRANCISCO -- AIM-West is hosting the 40th Anniversary Reunion of the American Indian Movement, Nov. 24 -- 28. With the theme, "No one is illegal -- Somos un solo rio/We are all one river," the topics include the militarization of the US borders, treaty rights, protection of sacred places, international Indigenous rights and religious freedom for prison inmates.

Bill Means, cofounder of the International Indian Treaty Council, is among the featured speakers at the sunrise gathering on Alcatraz Island on Thursday, Nov. 27. The weeklong AIM-West reunion includes Native Americans who have made history in the struggle for Indigenous Peoples rights, including Madonna Thunder Hawk, Manny Pino, Lenny Foster, Mike Flores, Charlie Hill and Patricia Bellanger.

The theme is "SOMOS UN SOLO RIO!" / We Are One River, and "No One is Illegal!" This includes recognition of Indigenous Nation's inherent right to self-determination, honor and respect for treaties ratified by the US Congress, protection of sacred sites, freedom for political prisoners, and the encouragement for the U.S. to adopt the United Nations General Assembly Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The discussions include strategies for the "Manifesto for Change", Green power and Red Power, a sustainable future, and taking a stand in solidarity with our relations from Mexico, Central and South America.

During the organizing session in San Francisco on Tuesday night, Tony Gonzales said the reunion, which includes speakers, concerts and an Unthanksgiving Feast, offers the opportunity to focus on the direction and needs of the future. Pegge Lemke said, following the US elections, it is important to remember that it is the people who hold the power. Lemke said it is the people who have "the power to empower others to return to a more natural way of life and live in balance and rhythm."

Earthcycles web radio returns to the air live, to cover the week's events, Nov. 24 -- 28. Earthcycles producer Govinda Dalton, and cohost Brenda Norrell, will be in San Francisco for the week to host the live show. Dalton, who lives in northern California, and Norrell, based in Tucson, were cohosts of the Longest Walk Talk Radio, on the five-month walk across America. Native Americans walked from Alcatraz to DC for sacred places and protection of Mother Earth, from February through July of 2008.

The same issues covered by the Longest Walk Talk Radio will be highlighted in the weeklong, on-air coverage, including the proliferation of coal mines, power plants and drilling in Indian country; the militarization of the US borders and the oppression and violations of human rights of Indigenous Peoples around the world.

Brief audio interviews are now available from Tuesday night's planning session, with Tony Gonzales, Mark Anquoe, Kiowa from Oklahoma, and Pegge Lemke, who was also a Long Walker. Pegge also encourages Native American Indian Nations to rescue and adopt wild horses, because the US government is now considering euthenasia for the horses. Pegge urged Indian Nations to develop programs for their youths with these horses, preserving Native horse culture. The audios are at http://censored-news.blogspot.com/

Schedule of events for the Anniversary AIM West 40th Anniversary Reunion:

Monday, Nov. 24, 10 am to 5:30 pm
Opening ceremonies with masters of ceremonies Bill Means and Madonna Thunder Hawk
San Francisco Library, 100 Larkin Street at Grove, Koret Auditorium
Film and slide show with historic footage of early AIM: Panel forum: "No one is illegal -- Somos un solo rio/We are all one river."
Indigenous Peoples from the border attending include Tohono O'odham Mike Flores, organizer of the Indigenous Peoples Border Summit of the Americas in 2006 and 2007.
Topics: Green ecology; Red Power, Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Tuesday, Nov. 25, 10 am - 5 pm
San Francisco Baha'i Center, 170 Valencia St.
Manny Pino, Acoma Pueblo, and Lenny Foster, Navajo prison religious rights advocate
Topics: Coalition building, treaty rights, sacred sites, uranium mining, Manifesto for Change, political prisoners including Leonard Peltier

Wednesday, Nov. 26, 12 - 6 pm
Unthanksgiving Potluck Dinner and AIM Special Awards Ceremony, with Charlie Hill, Patricia Bellanger and special guests
San Francisco Baha'i Center, 170 Valencia St.
Concert by Keith Secola, Phoenix, Medicine Warriors, All Nation Singers

Thursday, Nov. 27, 4 - 9 pm
Alcatraz Island Annual Sunrise Gathering leaving from Hornblower Tours at Pier #31 (last boat out at 6 am)

Friday, Nov. 28, 6 - 10 pm
Concert featuring Dr. Loco and the Rockin' Jalapenos, The Bob Young Project and local artists
San Francisco Baha'i Center, 170 Valencia St.

$10 to $20 donation, no one will be turned away, fundraiser for AIM-West
More information: Tony Gonzales (415) 577-1492 or visit
http://www.aimwest.info/
Listen live at Earthcycles, http://www.earthcycles.net, Nov. 24 - 28, 2008.