Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

A few weeks ago in Clovis, a young Native American woman was attacked by white supremacists. The police department seems to be doing nothing even though they reportedly have the license place number of the a car used by the attackers, and there has been no media coverage. According to a Department of Justice report (2005), "American Indians are more likely than people of other races to experience violence at the hands of someone of a different race."

Story: The recent surge in racial violence hits Clovis by Rick Panna | | Discussion on KPFK's American Indian Airwaves (7-19-11) (about half-way into the program) | | More on Clovis violence

It's important for everyone to stand up and say no to the exploitation of Native American Spirituality!

This is a grassroots effort. A number of groups and individuals are co-ordinating this action. Please share with your friends and networks of people who oppose racist cultural misappropriation. Stop the "PRETENDIANS"!

Please join us in this COMMUNITY ACTION! in Palm Springs

Saturday February 26, 2011

Palm Springs Convention Center
277 N Avenida Caballeros
Palm Springs CA 92262

Full announcement: No! to Exploitation of Native American Spirituality Palm Springs, CA 2/26 by AIM-Southern Cal | | YouTube video

February 4, 2011: Movie star Gillian Anderson has launched Survival International's new campaign to protect some of the world's last uncontacted tribes with an extraordinary new film.

The film shows uncontacted Indians on the Brazil-Peru border in never-seen-before detail. It is the first-ever aerial footage of an uncontacted community.

Ms Anderson said today, "What comes across very powerfully from this amazing footage is how healthy and confident these people appear. I hope they can be left alone--but that will only happen if the loggers are stopped."

The Indians' survival is in jeopardy as an influx of illegal loggers invades the Peru side of the border. Brazilian authorities believe the influx of loggers is pushing isolated Indians from Peru into Brazil, and the two groups are likely to come into conflict.

More information and link to film: GILLIAN ANDERSON NARRATES UNIQUE FILM OF UNCONTACTED INDIANS by Survival International

"STOP THE DESECRATION! 90+ burials (at present) being disturbed in the development of the Mexican Cultural Center at LA Plaza/Olvera St. They have attempted to not follow the law at the discovery of remains. Please support and help - call, write letters, emails. Voice your disgust...Tongva people tired and in pain." - Tongva Elder

The developer is denying the burials are Native; however, one of them includes an obsidian blade and beads.

Cindi Alvitre further commented (via Angela Mooney D'Arcy):

"We have some very sad news...there is ongoing desecration of graves going on at the L. A. Plaza (Olvera Street)...it never f****in ends. As the New Mexican cultural center is being put in our relatives are being literally yanked out of the ground! We seek support!!

"The Native American Heritage Commission has been involved in this with little cooperation from the Los Angeles County Coroner. The forensic anthropologist claims that these are no Indian burials, although burial goods reveal otherwise--close to 100 burials impacted to date!!!

"...it's about respect of all people. This cemetery is not limited just to native people, and destroying a massive cemetery in a historic district to put in a fountain for a NEW cultural institute is obscene."

Call for action: From AIM Santa Barbara: Your VOICE HAS POWER- It only takes 5 minutes to make a phone call & save a sacred site- and piss off the people that need to put in check- STOP THE DESECRATION. Call- Gloria Molina office, (213)- 974-4111-or email molina@bos.lacounty.gov or call the Mayor Villaraigosa, 213 978-0600

More: Statement of Facts/Call to Action Re: Burial Site by Members of the Gabrielino (Tongva) Communityy| | American Indian Airwaves (1-11-11)

Update: "GOOD NEWS!!! LA Plaza has stopped further work at site where remains disturbed. Tongva woman, Desiree Martinez provided documentation of the burials that we were told did not exist, and that proved that Native Americans were in that cemetery." -- Gloria Arellanes, Tongva Elder

February 1, 2011: Despite the cessation of excavating, Cindi Alvitre explains why the issue is far from over: American Indian Airwaves.

Update (June 2012): The remains were finally reburied at that site in April of this year. Desiree Martinez, a Tongva involved in this issue, was upset by how the ancestors were treated prior to reburial. Many of them were wrapped in toilet paper or newspaper (and consequently parts were separated and had to be reassembled prior to reburial) or not fully removed, left in place, and covered with tarps. She described this disrespect as "the most painful experience" she has endured.

Survival International's film "Mine: Story of a Sacred Mountain" has won the award for "Best Short" in the category of International Human Rights at the Artivist Film Festival to be held in Hollywood.

"Mine", narrated by British actress and activist, Joanna Lumley, depicts the struggle of the Dongria Kondh tribe of Orissa, India, to save their sacred mountain from Vedanta Resources' proposed open pit bauxite mine. In August, the Dongria Kondh won an historic victory as India's environment minister blocked the controversial mine.

"Mine" will be screened at 4 pm, and the award will be presented at 8 pm, on December 4 at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, California.

More: Survival wins Hollywood award for tribal rights film by Survival International