Humboldt Revolution

Inspired by successes of Copwatch in other areas and the support of a large initial response to the idea and the week long workshop here with members of the L.A. Copwatch a local version is now forming and eagerly seeking anyone who wants to participate. I discovered in the 1980s when CAMP first came to Humboldt County and were targeting their social and political enemies rather than actual criminals, with whom they were often in near open alliance with, that a camera was a formidable weapon against the sort of corruption that we are faced with today and indeed we even succeeded  in gaining an injunction against much of the illegal terrorist operations and even, apparently, had something to do with their shifting a very small part of their focus away from “hippies” to actual large criminal operations of the sort that have put people in shallow graves all over this county. While the judiciary is notoriously a rubber stamp facade of authenticity for the corrupt law enforcement community it is hard to refute photographic evidence when paired with enough public knowledge. While our successes were relatively small in the ’80s it is a new era and there is ample experience here and around the country to mount a defense and gain actual protection for all of our families rather than the overt oppression and utter indifference we now have. In addition, the waves of corrupt government of the last few years, both at the national level and at every level down to and including the local level have raised awareness to the point that a large majority nearing a critical mass now understands the problem and it’s extent.  We can start a chain reaction that will purge our government including crooked and inept law enforcement officers who have executed several of our most vulnerable citizens recently without any real accounting of their actions. It is time we made them accountable.
If you are interested in participating in any way contact; vervain@riseup.net

Blankets, Warm Clothing, Rain Gear Etc. Needed

Donate Now!

Call (707) 822 4014 or email peopleproject@riseup.net

As you sit reading this many people are living outdoors in the damp cold of the North Coast. A donation of a blanket, warm coat or rain gear would be among items that can make a big difference to someone in this situation. It might even save a life. Many people on our streets dodging cops and robbers never thought they would end up there; with the unstable economy anyone could be next including you. Please make the small effort to do this act of kindness.

So, I got a few real positive report backs from the treesit on the UC
Berkeley campus.

If the oak grove wasn’t on the Univ. property, the city of Berkeley would
not allow the cutting, but  universities in this country tend to use their
’sovereignty’ to excuse reprehensible acts– UC Berkeley is no different.
[For instance, here in Humboldt, some may remember the current HSU
president (a former biotech experimenter/torturer of animals) declaring to
the Arcata City Council that HSU and it’s (bigoted) police force would NOT
respect medical marijuana laws…]

Below, there’s a good update (although it’s from almost a week ago).

Stop by if you are through or in the Bay Area.

Many students there are leaving…  There is alot of ‘mainstream’ support
for the action.  There’s a welcome table, lots of food all the time
(thanks to Food Not Bombs and others), and a possible legal halt this
Wednesday on the development plan– the cutting of the trees, which are on
the Hayward fault).  The cutting is so the univ. can build a sports gym.
It’s unfortunate that sports these days, with their big playing fields,
stadiums, etc. tend to rob/invade poor neighborhoods and/or, as being
resisted here, replace IRREPLACEABLE terrain. Today, I spoke with a friend
who is a professional athelete– and he is there opposing the cutting of
the grove.

On Saturday, there was a rally, which included Country Joe (of Country Joe
and the Fish) and Wavy Gravy.  The real heroes are those doing ground
support, sitting in the trees, and consistently keeping the vibe ‘good’.

Feel free to use the contact info in the Press Release, if you want to
talk with someone there. Location is described at the bottom.
——————————————————–
December 13, 2006
Press Release

Contact: Save the Oaks -Doug Buckwald (510) 599-0044

Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters - Karen Pickett
(510) 548-3113

Police Detain Oak Grove Tree-Sitter on UCB campus
Breaking News: Police Converging on Grove Wednesday Afternoon

Berkeley, Calif.-In the early morning hours on Wednesday, UC Berkeley
campus police detained Native American activist Zachary Running Wolf
as he was temporarily down from his perch high in a redwood tree [yes, he
was in a redwood at the time] in an imperiled grove of trees slated for
cutting by UC Berkeley.  The campus police then surrounded the redwood
tree, ostensibly to prevent Running Wolf from returning to his platform,
where he has been maintaining a presence since December 2.  They ordered
him to stay
off UCB property for 7 days.  Police had arrived this morning and
rousted support people who were staffing an information table under
tarps through the rain.  Two other oaks and a cedar tree in the
threatened grove have platforms in their branches where activists,
one per tree, have been holding  24-hour a day vigils to protect them.

UC is planning destroy this majestic grove in order to build a sports
gym covered by a concrete patio. This unique eco-system, the last
grove of coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) in the Berkeley lowlands,
is protected by municipal code. However, UC, the largest landowner in
Berkeley, says they are not obliged to obey city laws and codes.

This tree-sit action was taken after the university ignored the
concerns of residents, students, scientists, the Berkeley City
Council and many others. A lawsuit has been filed by the Panoramic
Hills Neighborhood Association to get the university to consider
alternatives, and a lawsuit has been approved by the City of
Berkeley. Community members have, for years, been frustrated by the
University’s apparent disdain for citizen input and local opinion.

Attorney for Save the Oaks Stephan C. Volker expressed concern for
the tree-sitters and other activists maintaining a protective
presence in the grove. He said of the activists, “They seek only to
exercise their Constitutionally-protected right to engage in free
speech, to peacefully assemble, and to seek judicial redress for they
what they view as an unlawful and ill-conceived and [ill]-designed
project.”

The planned cutting of the oaks has brought hundreds of alarmed local
residents and university students  to speak out against this
destruction and degradation of this . After exhausting many other
avenues, Running Wolf and other activists decided to take direct
action because UC is stonewalling community, student and even City of
Berkeley efforts to find workable solutions

The tree occupation is ongoing, LOCATED BETWEEN PIEDMONT AVENUE AND
MEMORIAL STADIUM ON THE UC CAMPUS JUST NORTH OF THE INTERNATIONAL
HOUSE AND BANCROFT WAY.

email: bach@headwaterspreserve.org

http://www.HeadwatersPreserve.org
—————————————

TAKE DIRECT ACTION FOR JUSTICE, FOR LIFE.

–Verbena

SUPPORT COMMUNITIES IN STOPPING MASSIVE COAL MINING EXPANSION PLANS.
- URGENT ACTION NEEDED NOW!
SUMMARY:
Massive mining plans underway at Black Mesa, Arizona have serious
environmental, social, and human rights impacts. Send a letter today to
the Office Of Surface Mining, asking them to extend the critical deadline
to allow impacted communities adequate time to prepare    their input on
stopping a destructive coal mining project.

BACKGROUND:
Peabody Western Coal, the world’s largest coal company, has plans to
extend its mining operations on Black Mesa and has filed a lease extension
application with the federal Office of Surface Mining (OSM). Peabody plans
to obtain a ‘Life of Mine’ permit -which means it would be permitted to
continue its unsustainable and dirty coal mining practices until all of
the coal is removed!

To transport the coal, the company plans on continuing its practice of
taking billions of gallons of water a year from the only water sources in
the area, drawing down both high quality, residential water  aquifers:
Navajo Aquifer and Coconino Aquifer. These developments threaten the
viability of the region’s primary water source.

Plans include relocating at least 17 families.

The passage of these plans would effectively devastate the Navajo, or
Dineh, and Hopi peoples. Indigenous communities live on the land above the
water and billions of tons of low-sulfur coal. As with their ancestors,
many generations back, the Black Mesa peoples live on the land that is the
base for their tradition, their spirituality, their   water and their
livelihood. Peabody’s coalmine expansion could also  impact numerous
archaeological, historical, and traditional cultural   resources.

It’s difficult to convey the serious nature of these new developments. The
passage of these plans would effectively devastate the Navajo, or   Dineh,
and Hopi peoples, stripping them of their identity and way of life  which
is tied into the land itself. Peabody’s coalmine expansion could also
impact numerous archaeological, historical, and traditional cultural
resources.

JOIN US IN REQUESTING AN EXTENSION OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS, SO THAT
AFFECTED FAMILIES CAN PREPARE A COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE!

The Office of Surface Mining (OSM) is holding public hearings for comments
on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Black Mesa Project
starting January 2nd. This is not enough time for families to prepare
comments on the 758 page, technical report. OSM must take the
testimonies from the public hearings into consideration in preparation for
the final EIS. OSM also requires that comments reference specific
paragraphs and pages within this report. A summary of this report is
supposed to be presented in Dineh but how much specific information
that is also included in the draft EIS is not known.

OSM is not taking into account the time of year set for the comments   on
the Draft EIS. For traditional Hopi, it is a time of intense ceremony;
they cannot take part in any other activities until March.

Also, at this particular time of year, the unmaintained roads are often
impassable on Black Mesa because of adverse weather conditions, making it
impossible for residents to attend the different meeting locations to make
their comments and/or to be able to mail their comments.

Furthermore, it is questionable if and when the communities of the
Black Mesa received this report.

All these barriers make it difficult for comments to be made by the
impacted communities and from the public in general.

Because some families face relocation should Peabody’s request for the
lease be adopted, and because the environmental impacts are complex, it is
only equitable to allow the impacted communities enough time to
comprehend all that is found in this extensive report.

In the meantime, grassroots groups are in the process of analyzing this
extensive Environmental Impact Statement. These hearings are critical- not
only to the lives of the traditional communities who reside and  depend on
Black Mesa-but for all beings who breathe and live on this planet which is
overburdened by mining corporations destroying the   planet. Burning coal
produces a significant amount of carbon dioxide and other elements which
are tied to acid rain and smog, and has been linked to global warming. The
energy that is made from Black Mesa coal goes to major towns and cities
throughout the southwest, including Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

The report can be found at:
http://www.wrcc.osmre.gov/WR/BlackMesaEIS.htm

NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT BEFORE THESE PLANS GET APPROVED!

Please send a letter to OSM today and ask your friends and family to do
the same. If you can mail it in, please do so now.

There is a Sample Letter below.  It would mean so much for you to send a
letter!!

A FEW REASONS TO OPPOSE COAL USE:

*Coal is dirty. Taking it out of the earth is ruining the land and the
people who live nearby have lung problems. Coal-fired power plants emit
more hazardous air pollution than any other industry, including more than
60 different toxic chemicals.

*There are alternatives and it is up to us the people to use them. (Learn
more about the Just Transition Plan. See Black Mesa Water  Coalition’s
website -   http://www.blackmesawatercoalition.org/index.html)

* According to Peabody Energy, the company believes that “coal is the
future,” aiding in “Global Solutions to Global Needs,” and plans on
expanding their coal production globally. (Peabody has recently secured
deals in China.) The Dineh residents near the mine are living in fear that
they will be relocated and that the whole Black Mesa area will be forever
lost to more mining and to coal-fired energy plants.

* According to many of the traditional indigenous communities on Black
Mesa, the coal is the Mother Earth’s liver and should not be removed.
[Liver deals with toxins– that’s why it’s used in water filters–the
IRONY– Why must we filter water?…]

*The history of forced relocation of indigenous families from their
homeland for energy interests is another act of environmental racism.

*Our lives are interconnected to what happens to Black Mesa because many
of us use and benefit off the energy produced. It is our duty to act.

————————————————
SAMPLE LETTER

Dennis Winterringer
Western Regional Office
Office of Surface Mining and Encorcement
P.O. Box 46667
Denver, CO 80201-6667
Phone: 303-844-1400, ext. 1440
email: bmkeis@osmre.gov

RE: Request for Extension to Submit Oral and Written Comments on Black
Mesa Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Dear Mr. Winterringer:

The purpose of this letter is to request that OSM grant a sixty-day
extension for both oral and written comments on the Black Mesa Project
Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

There are several reasons why this extension should be granted.  First,
this 758 page Draft Environmental Statement (DEIS) is extremely
complex, covering many important issues in depth, which requires more
time to read through and digest. These issues include mining
operations, hydrological impacts of water withdrawals, and the
construction and impacts of a coal slurry.

Due to the scope and complexity of the issues, the present schedule of
the public comment periods do not allot enough time for the public to
prepare comprehensive comments to address their concerns about   the
many important issues presented in the DEIS. It is of the utmost
importance that the impacted communities be provided with this
extension to review this complex document. It is they who will have to
live with the consequences should Peabody’s “Life-Of-Mine” lease be
granted. Therefore, their comments are of paramount importance.

Second, at this particular time of year, the unmaintained roads are
often impassable on Black Mesa because of adverse weather conditions,
making it impossible for residents to attend the different meeting
locations to make their comments and/or to be able to mail their
comments. As you remember, this was the case during the Scoping
Hearings in 2005, and meetings needed to be rescheduled.

Third, the timing and nature of the release will prevent
participation by many tribal members. The Hopi yearly calendar
involves   a complex ceremonial cycle that requires times of intense
meditation and ceremonial isolation for Hopi citizens. The current
schedule of the public comment periods take place during their
ceremonial cycle, that prohibits them from participating in any
activities such as public    hearings and meetings. This cycle goes
through February. Not extending the comment period deadline will
prevent participation from tribal members and shows blatant disregard
for the religious beliefs of the Hopi.

Finally, it is questionable if the Dineh and Hopi peoples living in the
impacted communities received the DEIS, or know of its existence. Both
Dineh and Hopi peoples are important stakeholders who must be given the
opportunity to express their views.

It is only equitable that you keep in mind the needs of the peoples
living in the impacted communities, and allow this extension.
Anything less would be considered not only a violation of human rights
but as another example of environmental racism.

For these reasons, we strongly urge you to extend the comment period.
Thank you very much for your consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,
[your name]
————————————————————————–
Some contact and info sources:

www.indigenousaction.org - Independent Indigenous Media

Enei Begaye
Executive Director
Black Mesa Water Coalition
408 E. Route 66, Suite #1
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Office #: (928) 213-9760

Jihan Gearon, Native Energy Campaign
Indigenous Environmental Network
(877) 436-2121

URGENT Support is requested from Dine Elders and Youth!
Please send far and wide!!!!
Sithe Global & Dine Power Authority (DPA) are proposing to build the
Desert Rock power plant, a 1,500 MW Coal Fired plant in the Four Corners
area on the Navajo Reservation. This is an area already polluted by 2
other major coal power plants. Local Navajo residence and community
members oppose this project for many harmful reasons!! This Desert Rock
power plant is still in the environmental review process and has NOT yet
been permitted.

However, Desert Rock company trucks began moving onto the backyard of
Alice Gilmore, an elderly Navajo woman, and her family on Wednesday (Dec.
13) to begin drilling efforts. Desert Rock officials and police have not
shown any documents or permits to the local residents stating their
purpose or permission to be there. Dine supporters and community members
have joined Alice and her family to blockade the road. They are elderly
women and youth, and they have been camped out on the road over night
since Tuesday! Desert Rock trucks have repeatedly rushed them and have
almost run-over people a number of times as they attempt to get by. Desert
Rock Power Co. is violating the lease rights of the local Navajo
residences and is harassing elderly Navajo women and youth! This is an
urgent time and support is needed!!!

Please read on. Find out how you can help!

DESERT ROCK BLOCKADE REPORT
December 15th, 2006

Ya’a'teh,
I just returned to Flagstaff from Burnham, New Mexico where community
members have established a blockade to prevent preliminary work for the
proposed Desert Rock coal-fired power plant. On Tuesday, December 12th
Elouise Brown & elder Alice Gilmore along with their relatives and
concerned community members took action and stopped representatives of
Sithe Global from entering onto their land. It was found that the New York
based company Sithe Global, along with Dine’ Power Authority which is an
enterprise of the Navajo Nation, had been drilling for water near Alice
Gilmore’s home.

A tent has been raised, a fire is being kept and donations are slowly
pouring in.

The elders and folks out there have experienced harassment and threats
from law enforcement and other officials. In an incident last night a
sheep dog had reportedly been run over, skinned and left for dead near the
encampment. They have also stated that their elected representatives are
ignoring them. Aside from Navajo Nation Vice President Frank Dayish
visiting a few days ago and promising to deliver a yet-to-be-seen
port-a-potty, no other officials have met with these folks to hear their
concerns.

When my friend Cy and I arrived we were warmly welcomed. We had passed a
few law enforcement vehicles on the way, but the camp was completely
peaceful. Although we heard of theharassmentof the resisters, we also
heard of their resolve to stand until their homes, their sacred sites and
their ways of life are protected.

Please take a moment and support the families who are courageously taking
a stand!

Ahee’ hee’,
Klee Benally
Indigenous Action Media
You can view more pictures
at http://www.blackfire-desertrock.buzznet.com

Alice Gilmore.
MORE SUPPORT IS NEEDED!

This is a call to participate in the blockade from the community:

“This direct action is Dine Native based. You have been invited by the
Dine grassroots families that live on the land where the proposed Desert
Rock coal-fired power plant may be built.”

For more information on participating in the blockade, where to go and
what to bring check out:http://www.desert-rock-blog.com

A few specific items that were requested are:

- Unleaded gas in appropriate containers for a generator

- A Port-a-potty (Navajo Vice President Frank Dayish had promised one days
ago and has yet to provide)

- Various kitchen Supplies including: Hefty trash bags, large pots, ladles
for stew, paring knives, paper towels, baking powder, hand soap, toilet
paper, a washpan and big bowls.

- Monetary donations to cover costs of radio announcements

-Video cameras and digital cameras would also be very
helpful.

Please contact DineCARE and Dooda Desert Rock Committee if you would like
to help.

Contact:
Sarah Jane White, Dooda Desert Rock Committee (505)860-6166

Dailan J. Long , Dine CARE, Dooda Desert Rock Committee (505) 801-0713

Elouise Brown, Dooda Desert Rock Committee (505)974-6159

Lori Goodmankiyaani@frontier.net
Dine’ CARE
10 A Town Plaza, PMB 138
Durango, CO 81301
PH: (970) 259-0199 FAX: (970) 259-2300 Cell: (970) 759-1908
dinecare.org

For more up to date information
visit:http://www.desert-rock-blog.com

ADDITIONAL NEEDS/WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

- More People! More people are needed to sit in support! All are welcome!

- Fire wood! It is cold outside and many of the resisters are elderly
women. If you can get firewood to the site it is very very much needed!
The directions to the site are BELOW.

- $ Money! Resisters are in need of money for gas and food, and also for
bail money if necessary. Please send donations and write checks to:

Elouise Brown
1015 Glade Lane 34
Farmington, NM 87401

Elouise can also be reached at:
thebrownmachine@hotmail.com

{Elouise’s “family and relatives have livestock that borders the south end
of the proposed Desert Rock Power Plant. She is Dine’ and retired from the
military. She is new to activism and was shocked to learn that all these
years she fought and protected Americans in her military service and in
her own homeland this is happening to her people. She is directly impacted
by the 100 million tons of coal combustion waste created since 1970 by the
two power plants in place now. Her family’s ground water are being
contaminated by the toxic waste leaking into the ground water and that is
unregulated. Now there are plans to put in a 3rd power plant! Elouise
recently reported that it’s very cold and they really need physical help
and would appreciate any kind of religious support at the sacred blockade
site}

- ATTENTION! the more media and observers are present, the less likely
Desert Rock is likely to run people over or harass them.

-Contact the media, tell them what is going on.

– Be a Legal Observer - get to the site and help record/witness what is
happening

-Spread this Alert Far and Wide!

Media Contact:
Lori Goodman
cell #: (970) 759-1908, e-mail address: kiyaani@frontier.net

{Lori, a tribal member from the Four Corners Area, and part of Dine CARE
(see http://www.dinecare.org) helped produce a documentary called “The
Cost of Progress”, addressing energy development in the area.}

- Contact the Following Authorities! Tell them you have heard about Desert
Rock’s harassment of Navajo elders and youth.

Tell them you are extremely concerned! If enough people contact these
offices they will know that the world is watching.

Shiprock Police Department
phone: (505) 368-1350
fax: (505) 368-1293

Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley’s Office
phone #: (928) 871-6352
P.O. Box 9000
Window Rock, Arizona, 86515

also: George Hardeen, Navajo Nation Communications
Director Office of the President
Office #: 928-871-7000
Cell #: 928-380-7688
e-mail: georgehardeen@opvp.org

Bureau of Indian Affairs (Gallup Office) they are conducting the
Environmental Impact Statement.
Harrilene Yazzi, NEPA Coordinator Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo
Regional Office
P.0. Box 1060
Gallup, New Mexico 87305
Phone: 505-863-8314
Fax: 505-863-8324

For those who cannot make it out to Burnham, NM there may be places to
hold solidarity demonstrations/vigils near you, at the following
locations:

SITHE GLOBAL POWER LLC
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

NEW YORK

Sithe Global Power, LLC
245 Park Avenue
38th Floor
New York, NY 10167
Phone: 212.351.0000
Fax: 212.351.0880
Contact: mitchell@sitheglobal.com

REGIONAL & AFFILIATE OFFICES

TEXAS

Sithe Global Power, LLC
Three Riverway
Suite 1100
Houston, Texas 77056
Phone: 713.499.1155
Fax: 713.499.1167
Contact: white@sitheglobal.com

TORONTO

Sithe Global Power, LLC
Commerce Court West, Suite 5300
199 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M5L 1B9
Phone: 416.869.5647
Fax: 416.947.0866
Contact: baxter@sitheglobal.com

Thank you for your support!!!

Navajo Traditional Elders Blockade Power Plant Site

Elderly Navajo women and their children formed a blockade, built a fire
and camped at the site of a proposed power plant on tribal land in
northwest New Mexico. The blockade of traditional Navajos halted site work
in a region that is already toxic with air and water pollution from power
plants, oil and gas wells and scattered radioactive tailings from the Cold
War. Facing the threat of arrest by tribal police at the blockade, Navajo
elderly, including one medicine man, said they are willing to go to jail
to protect their land and way of life.

Most of the elderly are already ill from living in an area where power
plants have released 100 tons of coal combustion waste that is blowing in
the wind. One of the Navajo elderly resisters is in a wheelchair and
another has severe asthma.
For the second night on Wednesday night, Dec. 13, Navajo resisters camped
in the cold at the site.

“I have said ‘No’ over and over again and you keep coming over!” said
Nenanezah elder Alice Gilmore, who holds the grazing permit for the area
of the proposed Desert Rock Power Plant. The Navajo Nation and Sithe
Global LLC plan to build the power plant, which would be the third power
plant in the Farmington/Bloomfield area.

Confronting Sithe and Navajo DPA employees, Gilmore was adamant that she
has not given permission for the power plant on her land. Navajo elders
from Burnham, Sanostee and Nenanezah chapter, all taking a bold action to
fight the tribal government and corporate aggression, joined Gilmore at
the blockade.

“We’re fed up with them,” said Sarah J. White, president of the Doodá
Desert Rock Committee. “The grandmas and the grandpas are being walked
over by these monsters and they’re being denied information. We’re
standing our ground now.” White said Navajos at the barricade need
everything in the way of food, firewood and supplies.

“We need everything from A to Z,” White said. The blockade was formed
just 10 days after Navajo Nation elected leaders gathered with
representatives from 14 countries and formulated a global ban on uranium
mining on Native lands. The power plant blockade also comes as Navajo
Nation leaders are fighting in the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
to protect San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Ariz., from the desecration
of snowmaking from recycled wastewater for tourism. The mountain is sacred
to 13 area Indian tribes.

However, both Navajo President Joe Shirley, Jr., and the Navajo Nation
Council support the construction of the Desert Rock Power Plant and
accompanying coalmine, which Navajos say would add more pollution to the
air, land and water, already saturated with disease-causing toxins.

The Navajo Nation tribal government has attempted to censor the voices of
Navajos speaking out against the Desert Rock power plant in New Mexico and
the use of aquifer water for coal mining by Peabody Coal on the western
side of the Navajo Nation in Arizona. THE PROPOSED SITE OF THE NEW DESERT
ROCK POWER PLANT IS IN THE FOUR CORNERS REGION, TARGETED SINCE THE 1970S
AS A NATIONAL SACRIFICE AREA FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION. IT IS ALSO THE SACRED
REGION OF DINETAH, THE PLACE OF ORIGIN OF NAVAJOS. However, the air is so
polluted in the region of Dinetah near Bloomfield that persons with asthma
and respiratory diseases find it difficult to breathe. Further, Navajos
say while they struggle with respiratory diseases, cancer and the death of
their loved ones in this region, many Navajos must also haul water and
live without electricity, since the power plants on Navajo land primarily
provide electricity for non-Indians. The Navajo blockade comes as O’odham
in Sonora, Mexico, challenge a secret plan by the government of Mexico,
with the knowledge of the US EPA, to create a hazardous waste dump near
the sacred site of Quitovac where O’odham hold ceremonies. The Navajo
blockade coincides with an action by Pima on Gila River tribal land in
Arizona to halt expansion of a hazardous dumpsite.

At the same time, Yaqui in Sonora, Mexico, gathered to prohibit the use of
banned pesticides in agricultural fields, now resulting in cancer and
deaths.

At the proposed new Desert Rock power plant site in New Mexico, Navajo
residents confronted the Diné Power Authority/Sithe Global LLC on Dec. 12,
after discovering that water drilling was carried out without the
knowledge and notification of local Navajo residents.

Members of the Doodá Desert Rock committee gathered to support Gilmore’s
position and asked Sithe/DPA to disclose drilling permits that allowed
drilling activity to occur. However, no permits were provided. The
residents refused to leave after the Navajo Nation Police attempted to
give access to DPA/Sithe Global, claiming that permits for the Desert Rock
project are not for public disclosure. The Burnham residents barricaded
the roads to disallow traffic into the Desert Rock site and Navajos
remained at the blockade. Members of Diné CARE/Doodá Desert Rock
Committee met Dec. 13, at the Shiprock tribal courthouse to get answers
about drilling permits.

Navajo residents said a tribal police lieutenant denied Gilmore and other
residents access to view the permits. Navajo residents are asking for:

1.) A copy of the categorical exclusion that is allowing the drilling
activities to commence.
2.) Copies of the Clean Water Act Sections 401, 402 and 404, that would
prove compliance with regulatory requirements have been met. There are
major disturbance taking place and according to the Clean Air Act, these
permits are a pre-requisite for drilling activity.

The proposed area is home to extended families, but arbitrarily drawn
political boundaries by the Navajo Nation and company representatives have
the families separated into the three chapters: Burnham, Sanostee, and
Nenahnezad. The boundary defining Burnham and Nenahnezad has been moved
south for the benefit of DPA/Sithe as recently as two years ago.

“The local residents are not protesters but are resisters. Who would be
happy if a well is being dug in their backyard especially when it is done
in secrecy? So, how can those residents be considered protesters when they
are simply standing up for their rights to have clean air, water, and
environment.” stated Elouise Brown of Sanostee.

Burnham, Sanostee and Nenanezah residents are not waiting for remedy; many
have set up camp at the proposed site and are refusing to move until they
get the needed documents. “We’re fed up with them,” states Sarah J.
White, President of the Doodá Desert Rock Committee, “the grandmas and the
grandpas are being walked over by these monsters and they’re being denied
information. We’re standing our ground now.” This incident follows
accusations made against Sithe/DPA about environmental injustices, EPA’s
proposed issuance of prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permit
Air Quality Permit for Desert Rock Energy Facility and the creation of
Navajo Nation Energy Policies without public input.

Another Contact to learn about the situation: Web: www.ienearth.org

Tom B.K. Goldtooth
Executive Director
Indigenous Environmental Network
PO Box 485
Bemidji, MN 56619 USA
Email: ien@igc.org

Directions to the area:
The site is between Gallup, NM and Shiprock, NM(northeastern, NM).
Take the road between Gallup and Shiprock, the 491. at the Mustang Service
Station (one of the only service stations between the two), turn East on
road #5 towards Burnham Chapter. From Burnham Chapter, turn North onto
gravel road #5082. About 10-12 miles up the road turn West until you see
the encampment. There will be markers (balloons) out on the roads. (if
you begin to see a dragline, you’ve gone too far)