Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

In advance of his appearance this week at an L.A. screening of "Warrior: The Life of Leonard Peltier," Ben Carnes of the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee discussed that film, Leonard Peltier, and a variety of other Native American issues.

The free showing of "Warrior: The Life of Leonard Peltier" will take place on December 17 at the National Center for Preservation of Democracy in Little Tokyo at 7pm. Carnes, who will present the film, believes it is one of a few documentaries that explains and clarifies the circumstances surrounding Peltier's imprisonment. (Another film he mentioned was Incident at Oglala by Michael Apted.)

At the time of Peltier's alleged shooting of an FBI agent (June 1975), Carnes said that "they just wanted to arrest a group of AIM (American Indian Movement) people and have a big media riff because there was such a propaganda campaign that was going on against the American Indian Movement--that they were being trained by communists in Cuba, all kinds of derogatory things to help discredit them. But on the day of that shootout there were just strange things that happening that day that screwed their plans up. When the agents went in, there was another agent."

Interview: Ben Carnes on the film "Warrior: The Life of Leonard Peltier" by RP

In Southern California, there were at least two protests of Columbus Day this year. One took place in San Juan Capistrano, the other in Santa Barbara. The latter had an impressive turnout with head counts varying from 35 to 70. Whatever the exact number, our presence was strong, and reactions were positive. Vehicles honked, and pedestrians stopped to watch and listen. Some of them expressed support for the cause.

The many signs included "We discovered a lost Columbus," "Make Columbus your mascot," and "Is there a Hitler Day?"

There was also music, dance, and several good speakers. Many of the horrors committed by Columbus were mentioned, including his forcing Indian children into prostitution. To describe all of the atrocities would have taken the entire evening (at least). However, the radio show American Indian Airwaves on KPFK had a fairly comprehensive discussion of this on October 14 at 3pm. It can be downloaded from the Audio Archives at KPFK.org for the next 90 days. Apparently, part 2 of this installment will air next week.

Story and photos: Christopher Columbus Protest in Santa Barbara by RP

In the aftermath of the Parole Board Commission's announcement that Leonard Peltier would not be granted parole, supporters of Peltier have been focusing their energy on President Barack Obama in the hopes of attaining a presidential pardon. September 12 was Peltier's 65th birthday, and vigils were held around the world. Also, Ben Carnes and Robert Fife concluded an eight-day fast for his release, while Peltier's sister, Betty Peltier-Solano, had chained herself to a fence in Washington, D.C.

Here in Los Angeles, a vigil and rally took place at Nahui Ohlin in Echo Park (see: www.myspace.com/nahuiohlin and www.facebook.com/nahuiohlin). There was drumming and singing, and messages could be sent to Peltier vis-a-vis his family.

Full report: Rally for Leonard Peltier by RP

Friday, June 12, 2009 LOS ANGELES -- Crowds of curious onlookers surrounded a group of indigenous rights activists, members of the Peruvian community, and environmentalists as they demonstrated in front of the Peruvian consulate today through dance, procession, chant, and speech.

At this latest in a series of demonstrations in front of the large building on the Koreatown stretch of Wilshire that houses the consulate, protesters angered by President Alan García's use of military force against indigenous rights activists decried the massacre of an unknown number of people. They also lashed out against the "free trade" policies the victims gave their lives fighting against. Full Report: Protest at Peruvian Consulate by Rockero

The meeting, which was attended by hundreds of people, was fiery and impassioned and lasted for about three hours. The first two hours were open for public comment. Ultimately, the board voted 3-2 to retain the mascot, although two items, including a doormat with a "Native American" on it, will be removed. Everything else, including a bust at the school parking lot entrance and a large mural are to remain intact.

The months, weeks, and days preceding the meeting were intense. Eli, the instigator of this campaign, received death threats as did a child of a school board member.

. . . Many indigenous people who reside in Carpinteria expressed approval of the mascot. However, a Chumash man, while not a Carpiterian, said that this land was originally their's and that his people were and are peaceful, not warriors. ". . . We have to change the war mentality," he said. "We are not warriors, we are peaceful people, and this planet needs peaceful beings. This is a local manifestation of a terrible global bind that we all live in. Injustice to one is injustice to all. The war culture must be eliminated.

"Your job is to teach to these young people. Teach them the ways of the Chumash by asking the Chumash. And I invite all the people in the lineage of the Chumash to come and practice the Chumash ways. We were never a warrior society, never. We're not warriors."

Story and photos: Carpinteria to Retain Plains Indian Mascot by RP