To
all those unaware of the fine print of Obama's immigration plan:
First
and foremost, it will direct more resources to border security.
Meaning...further militarization of Indigenous communities who are
divided by the so-called border, such as my home community of the
Tohono O'odham Nation. Our O'odham him'dag (way of life) will once
again be attacked by settler border politics, as it was in 1848 and
1852 when the so-called border was illegally imposed. Attacked like
we were in 1994 when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
was enacted. These borderland policies are being devised and
implemented without any settler consciousness to the Indigenous
peoples who will be most negatively impacted by such policies. The
Indigenous nations who pre-date so called Mexico and the United
Snakkkes end up almost voiceless.
Basically
Obama's 2014 Immigration plan = border militarization = 21st century
colonization.
So
in light of Obama's latest immigration plan, I'm writing this to say
"DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE". The plan is anti-Indigenous and
anti-Migrant. Please look at the bigger picture (NAFTA). Please see
the trade off. Please see the state's 2014 divide and conquer
tactics. Then ask yourself, what does an anti-colonial
migrant/Indigenous response to this all look like? What does a world
without NAFTA borders look like? What does collective liberation look
like in O'odham lands? Lipan Apache Lands? Yoeme Lands? Kickapoo
Lands? Indigenous homelands which are now in the so-called border
region?
Where's
the solidarity with Indigenous people facing militarization?
I
recognize this is a complex issue. I do not want fellow Indigenous
migrants coming from the southern hemisphere to be criminalized by
racist laws. I do not want families to be separated, loved ones to be
deported, or for them to ever have to walk the hot desert in the
first place, just to have a "chance" in this neo-liberal,
NAFTA world we are forced to slave in. But at the same time, I do not
want my homeland to be a police state. I do not want our ceremonies
to be disrupted. I do not want our jewed (land) destroyed by border
security apparatus. I do not want our sky to be polluted by more
Border Patrol helicopters, cameras placed atop rotating cranes as
tall as skyscrapers, or drones. I do not want freedom of movement for
O'odham to be granted only to the holders of bio-metric colonial
passports. I do not want CANAMEX/NAFTA corridors scarring our lands
with freeways (Loop 202/Interstate 11). Ultimately I do not want, in
the words of my late grandfather, who saw the Berlin Wall with his
own eyes while being stationed in Germany, "an O'odham Berlin
Wall" built at the border.
These
are just a few thoughts I have at this time. Overall I maintain my
hopes we can all get our shit together. We just have to weather the
neo-colonial, mainstream migrant rights industrial complex funded by
the creator knows who (but is worth a longer analysis), Dream ACTors
and at the same time, we also have to weather the settler state,
while empowering our own community. Either way, we got this...
because we have to.
DETROIT RAPPER INVINCIBLE AND ARIZONA HIP HOP ARTISTS COME TOGETHER FOR BENEFIT SHOW TO SUPPORT THE 18TH ANNUAL O'ODHAM UNITY RUN
NEWS ADVISORY
January 29, 2013
Contact: Alex Soto 602-881-6027
Kendra Lewis 520-425-9058
Detroit rapper Invincible and Arizona Hip Hop artists come together for Benefit Show to support the 18th Annual O'odham Unity Run
What: Benefit show for the 18th Annual O'odham Unity Run.
Come help raise funds and donations for our O'odham runners from Salt River, Gila River, Ak-Chin, Tohono O'odham and O'odham in Mexico as they make their week long journey from the the community of San Xavier (Tohono O'odham Nation) to the Salt River Indian Community.
Who: Critically acclaimed, Detroit hip hop emcee, Invincible, will be performing along with hip hop artists from Tohono O'odham Nation, Salt River Indian Community, Tucson and Phoenix at the San Xavier Recreation Center on February 9th, 2013 from 5:30pm-11pm. This is an alcohol-free event. Musical acts performing at the benefit show are:
Invincible (Detroit) http://emergencemedia.org/invincible http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ6qMU7JbBY
Cozmobrown and DJ Lingos (Tucson)
Pick Up Kings (Waila Band-San Xavier)
Traditional singing begins at sunset.
Hosted by Black Mountain Singers and Michael Enis
Aerosol artists will be painting live art starting at 3pm. Open art panels will be open to the public. Aerosol artists featured at the benefit show are:
Tha Nox (San Xavier)
Brez (Salt River Indian Community/Tohono O'odham)
Dwayno Insano (Salt River Indian Community)
Plus other local artists
Local arts, crafts, jewelry and clothing vendors will have merchandise booths.
Included in the day's events is a Toka tournament, a traditional O'odham women's game similar to field hockey. It is an aggressive and fun sport that brings together women of all ages and all O'odham Nations to compete and even sometimes bet.
Toka tournament starts at Noon.
Hip hop workshops will be offered starting at 3pm.
Workshops to be announced.
When: Saturday February 9, 2013 Benefit Show: 5:30-11pm
Where: Wa:k (San Xavier) community- Tohono O'odham Nation San Xavier Recreation Center 8549 S J Mayor Dr Tucson, AZ 85746 Admission: $5 or $3 with suggested donation (water, Gatorade, gas cards)
All ages event
Why: Due to a request by Unity Run coordinators, we have been asked to help with raising funds and donations to ensure that all logistical needs are met. Donations look like: water, Gatorade and gas cards.
This year will be the 18th Annual O'odham Unity Run.
The run will be March 17-23, 2013
If unable to attend but like to support, please message us!
---------------------------------------------------------------- Brief history of the O'odham Unity Run:
The Akimel O'odham, Hia-Ced O'odham and the Tohono O'odham have long been known for their expertise in long distance running in the desert regions of what is now southwestern United States and Mexico. For over 150 years the O'odham Nations have dealt with separation by the U.S./Mexico Borders. We do not acknowledge this separation within our culture; we encourage our unity to continue. The Unity Run was founded in 1995, by a small group of grassroots people from both sides of Mexico and the United States, consisting of Tohono O'odham and Akimel O'odham. The group's main goal is to bring awareness to the youth and adults the legacy that our ancestors gave to us centuries ago. The coordinators are actively working to perpetuate that which we inherited and for this to continue for the generations yet to come. Reinstating the tradition of running and the spirituality that comes with running is a challenge to help unite, preserve, heal and respect our history, language and culture. The Unity Run is highly recognized as a drug free, alcohol free and gang free cultural event.
"The militarization of the U.S./Mexico border has led only to cultural and environmental destruction of the indigenous peoples whose land is on or near the border, such as the O'odham, Yaqui and Lipan Apache Nations.
Border Militarization brings death and terror to indigenous peoples from other parts of the continent migrating to this land.
The immigration struggle is also an Indigenous struggle. '
NO BORDERS! FREE MOVEMENT FOR ALL!"
FOR MORE INFO PLEASE CHECK THESE SITES: http://oodhamsolidarity.blogspot.com/ http://www.solidarity-project.org/ http://survivalsolidarity.wordpress.com/ http://www.borderopposition.blogspot.com/ http://lipanapachecommunitydefense.blogspot.com/ http://chaparralrespectsnoborders.blogspot.com/ http://firesneverextinguished.blogspot.com/ http://sb1070resistance.blogspot.com/ http://www.taalahooghan.org/ http://dryriver.org/
About Shining Soul:
Straight outta occupied O'odham jewed in southern Arizona, Shining Soul is a grassroots duo based in Phoenix. Shining Soul's unique vintage means of beat production, and down to earth, empowering rhyme delivery is reminiscent of Hip-Hop's early days, when beats and rhymes took priority. Using Hip-Hop as a tool to get their voices out, Shining Soul pushes the margins by discussion issues that affect the communities they each originate from, while sharing and maintaining the essence of Hip-Hop culture that empowered them to take up arms via beats and rhymes.
HIP HOP IS RESISTANCE: As life-long admirers and now participants, Shining Soul, have greatly benefited from Hip Hop culture. From first hearing Blackstar's “Respiration” to Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel's “The Message”, the seeds of Hip Hop were planted in our souls. We now want to share that essence and knowledge that inspired us to pick up the mic and sampler years ago.
In our journey, we use emceeing as a platform to speak about the struggles that our respective communities face. Border Militarization, the Criminalization of People of Color, Police Brutality and the Desecration of Sacred Places are our realities today.
In our efforts, we use Hip Hop as a tool to empower community, especially youth, by informing them of the issues via dope beats, dope rhymes, and by providing context of the struggles we face. We challenge them to take effective action in their communities using music and creativity as a weapon.
The element of rap allows us to speak. We hope our music, beat making projects and overall message that "Hip Hop is Resistance" inspires others to think critically of the world we live in, so we can challenge the imperialistic pillars that attack us everyday (Capitalism, Patriarchy, White Supremacy and Colonization), in hopes to appreciate and respect all the beauty and power that that originates from our dignified cultures.
This is why we are resisting. That is why we fight.
NEWS RELEASE DATE: Thursday June 29, 2011 Contact: Alex Soto Phone: 602-881-6027 Email: stopbordermilitarization@gmail.com
Border Patrol Headquarters Occupation Protesters Found Not Guilty Reaffirms Call to End Border Militarization
Chuckson (Tucson), AZ - The six protesters who locked-down and occupied the United States Border Patrol (BP) – Tucson Headquarters on May 21, 2010 were found not guilty on the remaining count of a disorderly conduct "with serious disruptive behavior” charge.
The legal defense, William G. Walker and Jeffrey J. Rogers, argued that the remaining charge of disorderly conduct did not apply because it did not meet any of the statutes of the charge. After three hours of deliberation, the judge found the six not guilty.
The city prosecutor had attempted to re-introduce the previously misfiled criminal trespassing as a misdemeanor charge, but this charge was dismissed after the first trial date for the occupiers in February. After an objection by the defense, the state’s motion was denied.
“Today’s not guilty verdict shows that we, as O’odham, are not the ones who are disorderly. It is the Border Patrol, the Department of Homeland Security, and the various levels of government that perpetrate the violence in our communities,” stated Alex Soto, Tohono O’odham, one of the protesters and member of O’odham Solidarity Across Borders Collective. “When will the institutions, whose conduct continues for more than 500 years of trespassing, that terrorize indigenous and migrants communities, be held accountable?”
“No state entity can deny peoples’ inherent right to freedom of movement," said Marisa Duarte, one of the protesters standing trial. "Borders are a colonial weapon used to continue the genocide of indigenous people and their culture. Through trade they exploit natural resources and use the profits to further the progress of neo-liberal infrastructure projects such as CANAMEX and NAFTA. This results in the criminalization of those who defy borders through living their lives traditionally. You see the forced relocation of families from borders all around the world. Today we say no more to this criminalization of people.”
O’odham Elders and community members attended the court proceedings to demonstrate their support.
“Today we celebrate our victory in court, but understand this is just one step in ending border militarization. We took action last May in order to directly confront the issues in our communities by physically intervening and occupying the Border Patrol station. Since that time, many have answered the call to end border militarization, and victories like today have inspired more action,” said Franco Habre.
As the six waited for the state’s decision, 16 angry community members targeted the prison firm G4S (formally Wackenhut) and were cited criminal trespassing charges. The16 declared in no uncertain terms their opposition to the company’s profiteering at the expense of immigrant communities in Tucson, across the nation and throughout the world. Their action, which was organized autonomously by Tucson community members, was carried out under the banner of Direct Action for Freedom of Movement
The six still stand firmly with their commitment and demands to end border militarization and their initial demands are listed below:
- Immediately withdraw National Guard Troops from the US/Mexico border - Immediately halt development of the border wall - Immediately remove drones and checkpoints - Decommission all detention camps and release all presently held undocumented migrants - Immediately honor Indigenous Peoples rights of self-determination - Fully comply with the recently signed UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples - Respect Indigenous People's inherent right of migration - End NAFTA, FTAA and other trade agreements - Immediately end all CANAMEX/NAFTA Highway projects (such as the South Mountain Freeway) - Immediately repeal SB1070 and 287g - End all racial profiling - No BP encroachment/sweeps on sovereign Native land - No raids and deportations - Immediate and unconditional regularization (“legalization”) of all people - Uphold human freedom and rights - Uphold the rights of ALL Indigenous People - repeal HB 2281, support the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People - Support dignity and respect - Support and ensure freedom of movement for all people
Soto concluded, “This action was a prayer. We’d like to thank those who stood with us during this process and to all who firmly stand with us to end border militarization. The occupation of the Border Patrol station was never about any group/organization, or us, it was about directly confronting the terror that the state unleashes upon indigenous and migrant communities, so we can critically challenge border militarization. As an O’odham, I always think back to my grandparents’ teachings: We as O’odham people have always traveled freely, regardless of the border. It’s our land, who we are, and we will defend it.”
To view the occupation video and for additional resources please visit: www.oodhamsolidarity.blogspot.com www.survivalsolidarity.wordpress.com
BORDER PATROL OCCUPIERS TRESPASSING CHARGE DROPPED-CALL FOR ACTION FOR JUNE 29, 2011
Chuckson (Tucson), AZ - The six protesters who locked-down and occupied the United States Border Patrol (BP) – Tucson Headquarters on May 21, 2010 are returning to trial to fight the remaining count of disorderly conduct "with serious disruptive behavior” charge. Last February the six also stood trial for a charge of criminal trespassing, but their defense team discovered that the trespassing charge was incorrectly filed by the State. The defense then filed a motion to dismiss the charge of criminal trespassing, which the court granted. The six return to trial on June 29, 2011 at 2:00 pm at the Tucson City Court.
In addition to the kick off of the trial, the border patrol occupiers called for renewed action against border militarization. More than 40 protesters took to the streets, with banners reading, “Indigenous Resistance, Protect Sacred Places”, “Free Movement for People Not Commerce, Tear Down the Wall” and chanting “No Borders, No Border Patrol.” Two protesters were arrested. A banner reading “Border patrol out of O’odham land ” was also suspended from the “Snake Bridge” that morning before court. At one point they rallied in front of the streamline courtroom. Operation Streamline, started in 2005 is a “zero tolerance” rapid court process that prosecutes hundreds of migrants a day, sometimes in shackles. Constitutional rights are also not granted and what would take multiple hearings is often a less than a two-day process of arrest and deportation.
O’odham Elders attended the court proceedings to demonstrate their support.
Alex Soto, Tohono O’odham, and one of the arrestees states, "It was good to see all the support last February for our initial trial proceeding. We need to continue to build, and remember this action was a prayer, and the dismissal of trespassing reaffirms that the Border Patrol troops are the real trespassers, not us. How can I, a Tohono O'odham person, be trespassing on my own land?”
“Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Border Patrol, Immigration Custom Enforcement and their corporate backers such as Wackenhut, are the true criminals. Troops and paramilitary law enforcement, detention camps, check points, and citizenship verification are not a solution to ‘issues’ of migration. Indigenous Peoples have existed here long before these imposed borders, and Elders inform us that we always honored freedom of movement. Why are Indigenous communities and the daily deaths at the border ignored? The impacts of border militarization are constantly being made invisible in and by the media, and the popular culture of this country. Even the mainstream immigrant rights movement has often pushed for “reform”, which means further militarization of the border, leading to increased suffering for Indigenous communities. Border militarization destroys Indigenous communities." stated Soto.
Kevin Jose, Akimel/Tohono O’odham, and member of O’odham Solidarity Across Borders states, "During the time of this action, my thoughts ran so deep as to what else we could do and what we can make happen. Singing for them at this action was powerful and their hearts were stronger than ever. What the state does on the control of free movement along our traditional lands is like a choke hold to our throats. The push to militarize the border does not just affect the Tohono O’odham who live in the border region, it affects all O’odham. In Tohono, it comes in the form of a border wall, in the Gila River Indian Community; it comes in form of a freeway”.
Currently the state of Arizona is pushing for the construction of the South Mountain Loop 202 freeway extension on Akimel O’odham land (Phoenix Area). The Loop 202 is part of the CANAMEX transportation corridor, which is part of the larger NAFTA highway project. The two proposed routes will either result in a loss of approximately 600 acres of tribal land, and the forced relocation of Akimel O'odham and Pee-Posh families or would gouge a 40-story high, 200-yard wide cut into Muadag Do'ag (O'odham name for South Mountain), which is sacred to all O'odham and Pee-Posh.
“Neo-liberal projects such as CANAMEX and NAFTA are attacking O’odham communities. All these attacks are connected. Support our nawoj (friends) on June 29th for their trial" stated Jose.
The creation of the current U.S./Mexico border, 45 O’odham villages on or near the border have been completely depopulated.
According to the migrant support group No More Deaths, from October 2009 to April 2011 there have been more than 338 deaths on the Arizona border alone.
1,200 National Guard troops have been stationed along the southwestern border since June 2010.
Additionally, the state of Arizona recently passed a bill which will allow for Arizona to build its own border wall. The law goes into effect July 20 of this year.
Actions toward ending border militarization and the decriminalization of our communities:
-Immediately withdraw National Guard Troops from the US/Mexico border -Immediately halt development of the border wall -Immediately remove drones and checkpoints -Decommission all detention camps and release all presently held undocumented migrants -Immediately honor Indigenous Peoples rights of self-determination -Fully comply with the recently signed UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples -Respect Indigenous People's inherent right of migration -End NAFTA, FTAA and other trade agreements -Immediately end all CANAMEX/NAFTA Highway projects (such as the South Mountain Freeway) -Immediately repeal SB1070 and 287g -End all racial profiling -No BP encroachment/sweeps on sovereign Native land -No raids and deportations- Immediate and unconditional regularization (“legalization”) of all people -Uphold human freedom and rights -Uphold the rights of ALL Indigenous People -Repeal HB 2281, support the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People -Support dignity and respect -Support and ensure freedom of movement for all people
Put this message into action and help end the attack on Indigenous and migrant communities. Take these messages to the streets, wherever you are. If you can, join us inside and outside the court room in Tucson at 2:00pm on June 29, 2011. Tucson City Court is located at 103 E. Alameda St. Tucson, AZ.
Additional ways to take action in your community, and bring awareness to the impacts of border militarization and the criminalization of our communities:
1. Directly intervene by: -Protesting institutions and agencies directly responsible (a brief list available at: http://www.survivalsolidarity.wordpress.com/) -Being part of (or starting) Border Patrol, ICE, National Guard, Minutemen watch groups in your community- Stopping ICE vehicles from deporting migrants -Providing aid for migrants crossing the border
2. Pressure political officials: Janet Napolitano Department of Homeland Security U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 2052 Comment Line: 202-282-8495
5. Support local Indigenous struggles for self-determination and freedom of movement.In particular, bring awareness to Indigenous communities on the US/Mexican border that have been militarized.
OSABC stands in solidarity with struggle to protect the sacred San Francisco peaks, and all sacred sites. Check the links below for more information on the the fight to Save the Peaks: http://www.savethepeaks.org/ http://www.truesnow.org/ http://www.indigenousaction.org/
Protest Halts Snowbowl Pipeline Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday morning, June 16, 2011 Contact: Beth Lavely Tel: 928.254.1064 protectpeaks@gmail.com
*PROTECT THE PEAKS – STOP DESTRUCTION & DESECRATION NOW!*
Today we take direct action to stop further desecration and destruction of the Holy San Francisco Peaks. We stand with our ancestors, with allies and with those who also choose to embrace diverse tactics to safeguard Indigenous People’s cultural survival, our community’s health, and this sensitive mountain ecosystem.
On May 25th 2011, sanctioned by the US Forest Service, owners of Arizona Snowbowl began further destruction and desecration of the Holy San Francisco Peaks. Snowbowl’s hired work crews have laid over a mile and a half of the planned 14.8 mile wastewater pipeline. They have cut a six foot wide and six foot deep gash into the Holy Mountain.
Although a current legal battle is under appeal, Snowbowl owners have chosen to undermine judicial process by rushing to construct the pipeline. Not only do they disregard culture, environment, and our children’s health, they have proven that they are criminals beyond reproach.
Four weeks of desecration has already occurred. Too much has already been taken. Today, tomorrow and for a healthy future, we say “enough!”
As we take action, we look to the East and see Bear Butte facing desecration, Mt. Taylor facing further uranium mining; to the South, Mt. Graham desecrated, South Mountain threatened, the US/Mexico border severing Indigenous communities from sacred places; to the West, inspiring resistance at Sogorea Te, Moana Keya facing desecration; to the North, Mt. Tenabo, Grand Canyon, Black Mesa, and so many more… our homelands and our culture under assault.
We thought that the USDA, heads of the Forest Service, had meant it when they initiated nationwide listening sessions to protect sacred places. If the process was meaningful, we would not have to take action today.
More than 13 Indigenous Nations hold the Peaks Holy. The question has been asked yet we hear no response, “what part of sacred don’t you understand?”
For hundreds of years resistance to colonialism, slavery, & destruction of Mother Earth has existed and continues here in what we now call Arizona.
The United States recently moved to join the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, evidently the US has not currently observed and acted upon this declaration, otherwise we would not be taking action today. This document informs our action, we also assert that UNDRIP supports the basis for our action.
Although a current legal battle is under appeal, Snowbowl owners have chosen to undermine judicial process by rushing to construct the pipeline. Not only do they disregard culture, environment, and our children’s health, they have proven that they are criminals beyond reproach. Four weeks of desecration has already occurred. Too much has already been taken. Today, tomorrow and for a healthy future, we say “enough!”
As we take action, we look to the East and see Bear Butte facing desecration, Mt. Taylor facing further uranium mining; to the South, Mt. Graham desecrated, South Mountain threatened, the US/Mexico border severing Indigenous communities from sacred places; to the West, inspiring resistance at Sogorea Te, Moana Keya facing desecration; to the North, Mt. Tenabo, Grand Canyon, Black Mesa, and so many more… our homelands and our culture under assault.
We thought that the USDA, heads of the Forest Service, had meant it when they initiated nationwide listening sessions to protect sacred places. If the process was meaningful, we would not have to take action today.
More than 13 Indigenous Nations hold the Peaks Holy. The question has been asked yet we hear no response, “what part of sacred don’t you understand?”
For hundreds of years resistance to colonialism, slavery, & destruction of Mother Earth has existed and continues here in what we now call Arizona.
The United States recently moved to join the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, evidently the US has not currently observed and acted upon this declaration, otherwise we would not be taking action today. This document informs our action, we also assert that UNDRIP supports the basis for our action.
We continue today resisting Snowbowl’s plan to spray millions of gallons of wastewater snow, which is filled with cancer causing and other harmful contaminants, as well as clear-cut over 30,000 trees. The Peaks are a pristine and beautiful place, a fragile ecosystem, and home to rare and endangered species of plants and animals.
Our action is a prayer.
We invite those of you who could not join us today and who believe in the protection of culture, the environment and community health to resist destruction and desecration of the Peaks:
- Join us and others in physically stopping all Snowbowl development! - Honor and defend Indigenous Peoples’ inherent right to protect Sacred Places - Resist colonialism and capitalism! Embrace diverse tactics to end Snowbowl’s and all corporate greed - Demand USDA end Snowbowl’s Special Use Permit - Demand that the City of Flagstaff Mayor and Council find a way out of their contract to sell wastewater to Snowbowl - Demand that Arizona Department of Environmental Quality change its permission allowing wastewater to be used for snowmaking.
Tucson, AZ— On February 23, 2011, 2:00 PM at Tucson City Court, five of the six protesters who locked-down and occupied the US Border Patrol (BP) – Tucson Headquarters on May 21, 2010 are going to trial fighting one count each of “criminal trespassing”.
The action was taken, in part, to demand that BP, Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), their parent entity, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Obama administration end militarization of the border, end the criminalization of immigrant communities, and end their campaign of terror which rips families apart through increasing numbers of raids and deportations.
Alex Soto, one of the arrestees and member of O’odham Solidarity Across Borders states, “As we did not enter the BP headquarters alone but with prayers of O’odham elders and community supporters, we are asking for support once again for our continued stand against border militarization. Our messaging is the reality for everyone that is forced to feel the pain that borders inflict upon us in our daily lives. The Border Patrol is not the only agency responsible for the militarization of the border – and it’s subsequent destruction of Indigenous and migrant communities – or the only benefactors of border militarization.” Soto states.
In a previous release O’odham Solidarity Across Borders and O’odham elders stated, “The development of the border wall has lead to desecration of Tohono O’odham ancestors graves, it has divided communities and prevents O’odham from accessing sacred places. Troops and paramilitary law enforcement, detention camps, check points, and citizenship verification are not a solution to “issues” of migration. Indigenous Peoples have existed here long before these imposed borders, elders inform us that we always honored freedom of movement. Why are Indigenous communities and the daily deaths at the border ignored? The impacts of border militarization are constantly made invisible in the media, the popular culture of this country and even the mainstream immigrants rights movement which has often pushed for “reform” that means further militarization of the border, which means increased suffering for Indigenous communities. Border militarization destroys Indigenous communities.”
Since the creation of the current U.S./Mexico border, 45 O’odham villages on or near the border have been completely depopulated.
According to the migrant support group No More Deaths, from October 2009 to Sept. 2010 there have been more than 250 deaths on the Arizona border alone.
For the full press release and additional resources please see the
….Calls for Further Action Against Border Militarization
Actions toward ending border militarization and the decriminalization of our communities: - Immediately withdraw National Guard Troops from the US/Mexico border - Immediately halt development of the border wall - Immediately remove drones and checkpoints - Decommission all detention camps and release all presently held undocumented migrants - Immediately honor Indigenous Peoples rights of self-determination - Fully comply with the recently signed UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples - Respect Indigenous People’s inherent right of migration - End NAFTA, FTAA and other trade agreements - Immediately repeal SB1070 and 287g - End all racial profiling - No BP encroachment/sweeps on sovereign Native land - No raids and deportations - Immediate and unconditional regularization (“legalization”) of all people - Uphold human freedom and rights - Support dignity and respect - Support and ensure freedom of movement for all people
Put this message in action and help end the attack on Indigenous and migrant communities. Take these messages to the street where you are. If you can, join us inside and outside the court room in Tucson at 2:00pm. on February 23, 2011. Tucson City Court is located at 103 E. Alameda St. Tucson, AZ.
For the full press release and additional resources please see the
O'ODHAM SOLIDARITY ACROSS BORDERS COLLECTIVE is made up Akimel O'odham and Tohono O'odham youth who are pressing the attack against the ongoing colonization of our traditional lands (i.e. U.S./Mexico Border policies), environmental racism from transnational corporations and the state, and all colonial polices aimed at destroying our O'odham Him'dag (Traditional Way of Life). We fight for self-determination, and true sovereignty of our lands. We advocate for the traditional elders in Mexico and the United States. We provide an autonomous space for O'odham to educate themselves on the issues that affect our land and people (our future). We encourage and support all O'odham, especially the youth, in carrying on our traditional practices, just as our ancestors did before us. Our projects of solidarity are our politics. You dig?
