And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1998 13:53:07 -0800 (PST)
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From: tom goldtooth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Minnesota raids Dakota encampment
Sacred Fire and Sacred Items Destroyed in Early Morning Raid in Minnesota
More than 600 armed law enforcement officers raided a south Minneapolis
neighborhood in the predawn hours Sunday to remove Native American and
non-Native supporters of Minnehaha Liberated Zone, known as Camp Coldwater.
The Indigenous Environmental Network, American Indian Movement of
Minneapolis, Earth First, Midwest Treaty Network and other groups have been
supporting the decendents of the federally unrecognized Dakota Band of
Mendota Mdewakanton in their defense of sacred sites in south Minneapolis.
Environmentalists, concerned citizens of Minneapolis and Native Americans
have been at the site for four months, to prevent the rerouting of Highway
55 through the site, that includes a rare oak savanna and Dakota tribal
sacred sites. The state government has planned to reroute the highway in
Minneapolis through the area south of Minnehaha Falls, between the existing
road and the Mississippi River, connecting Hwys. 55 and 62. Among these oaks
lies an area of freshwater springs known as Coldwater Springs. The eastern
woodland band of Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota and spiritual leaders of other
Minnesota Dakota bands considered the area sacred, and are now seeking to
repossess an area of land around Coldwater Spring and the confluence of the
Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers.
According to state press agencies, authorities called the 4:30 a.m. raid the
largest law enforcement action in state history. Even the outgoing
Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson participated in the raid and praised the
military-type operation. Witnesses say Gov. Carlson stood warming himself
at the burning remains of a bulldozed home.
Authorities reported 33 people were arrested with 3 juveniles removed.
Those arrested were arraigned today with most planned to be released by the
end of Monday during a special hearing held by the Hennepin County Court. It
is not clear how many will be released.
With over 130 squad cars, five 20 foot Ryder moving trucks filled with
police in riot gear, three city buses, bulldozers, cherry-pickers, backhoes,
ambulances and several fire engines, the police moved in swiftly and tear
gassed all seven houses that were occupied. Defenders and supporters of the
sacred site came out gagging, throwing up and coughing and were promptly
arrested by the police. Witnesses from the camp said that guns were drawn
while police held the eyes of protesters open and sprayed pepper directly
into their eyes.
The sacred ceremonial fire that had been blessed by Dakota spiritual leaders
had been destroyed by the police and bulldozed. Religious Native American
items had been removed and a drum had also been reportly destroyed. A tipi
was destroyed in the raid. Jim Anderson, a member of the Band of Mendota
Mdewakanton Dakota, says this was a, "blatant and willful disregard for our
sacred ways and of the law. The police proceeded to destroy federally
protected sacred items and our sacred fire. It is through this fire that we
have been conducting prayers and ceremony. Minnesota Department of
Transportation, the Minneapolis and State police, and the Minneapolis Fire
Department are aware their actions are in violation of federal and state
law, and have told us they don't care about Native American's right to
freedom of religion."
The state of Minnesota has been rebuilding Highway 55 south of downtown
Minneapolis since 1988. The road through these sacred sites is the only
segment that departs significantly from the current roadbed. Construction is
slated to start next summer and will be finished in 2000. Eastern bands of
Dakota have identified culturally, historically and religiously significant
burial and other sacred areas in the road development zone such as Coldwater
Spring. The Highway 55 project will affect a circle of four 230 year old
oak trees that are placed in the four cardinal points that the woodlands
Dakota people believe are sacred. The area also impacts migrating birds
such as bald eagles and peregrine falcons that have been seen in the area as
well as medicinal plants.
The Indigenous Environmental Network requests people to voice your dismay
and outrage at the aggressive and violent military-type actions the state of
Minnesota has taken against Native Americans and supporters that have been
peacefully defending land that is sacred. Send your comments immediately by
phone and fax to:
Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson: phone:(612) 296-3391 fax:(651)296-2089
Minnesota Governor elect Jesse Ventura: phone:(651) 297-9500 fax: (651)
297-9531
Sharon Sayles Belton, Major, City of Minneapolis: phone:(612) 673-2100
fax:(612) 673-2305
James Denn, Commissioner Minnesota Department of Transportation: phone:(612)
296-3000 fax:(651) 296-3587
Federal contacts:
Rodney Slater, Secretary of Department of Transportation: phone: (202)
366-1111 fax: (202) 366-7201
Kenneth Wykle, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration: phone: (202)
366-0650 fax: (202) 366-3245
#####################
For more info on the issue, see web site: www.freenet.msp.mn.us/org/stop55
#####################
Indigenous Environmental Network - National Office
P.O. Box 485
Bemidji, Minnesota 56619-0485 USA
Phone: (218) 751-4967
Fax: (218) 751-0561
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Web Site: http://www.alphacdc.com/ien
"An environmental and economic justice alliance of Indigenous Peoples
protecting the sacredness of Mother Earth and building sustainable
communities."
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