GLEN COVE UPDATE DAY 6 ><><><SUPPLIES NEEDED
This is an urgent call out for financial and healing support at the
Glen Cove occupation, to stop the destruction of this sacred site.
Financial donations are crucial to keeping the occupation to protect
this sacred site going, and allies and the radical community can be a
great source of support in this way. Healers, especially those with
massage/herbals skills, are also requested, as there are many elders
with muscle/joint pain and other ailments. At the moment there are a
few medics and herbalists that are often staying there, along with a
lot of others with knowledge and experience in healing, but more
support is needed. The occupation has been going on since Thursday
night, as bulldozers were scheduled to come the next day. It has been
going strong, with 40+ people there at all times, and many many more
coming by every day to join in ceremonies, bring donations, learn more
about the site, and hold it down! The occupation will continue till
the Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD) agrees to respect this
sacred site, so please consider going out for a visit, staying for a
few days, or supporting in whatever ways you can. Below are details
on a few ways to do this, more info on the history of the struggle and
the latest updates. More information can be found at:
http://protectglencove.org/ , where you can also sign up for text
alerts (used in case of eviction/need of urgent support), and low
traffic email updates.
Important: All who will stand in solidarity, and prayer are welcome.
The occupation is taking the form of a 24/7 vigil so please be aware
that this is not a space for any kind of violence/drugs/alcohol etc.
An agreement has been made with the GVRD not to have any tents, so as
not to violate the ‘no camping’ rule, but there are traditional
structures up for resting in.
This Saturday, April 23, there will be an Indigenous Peoples Earth Day
and Interfaith Gathering, from 1pm to 5pm. This is a great time for
folks who have not been to the site to come out, meet people, get
acquainted and plug-in. Please bring reusable utensils, cups and
plates.
Directions:
http://protectglencove.org/about/directions-to-glen-cove
Current requests for supplies:
Fire wood- to keep the sacred fire burning
Fresh vegetables and fruit (and other healthy foods)
Bronners/bio soap
No bottled water!
Financial support!
$ are crucial to keeping the occupation going. Cash donations can be
given at the site, and donations can be made through the website, and
directly at:
https://www.wepay.com/donate/137138
Please give what you can, and forward the info so that others may also.
Sign the online petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/ssprit/petition.html
Brief history of the struggle to protect Glen Cove:
Glen Cove is a sacred gathering place and burial ground that has been
utilized by numerous Native American tribes since at least 1,500 BC.
Today, Glen Cove continues to be spiritually important to local Native
communities. It is located just south of Vallejo, California along the
Carquinez Strait, a natural channel that connects the Sacramento River
Delta to the San Francisco Bay. Glen Cove is known as Sogorea Te in
Ohlone language.
The 15-acre Glen Cove Sacred Site is owned by the City of Vallejo and
is open to the public as a natural area. The GVRD’s current Master
Plan calls for the installation of a parking lot, restroom facility,
picnic tables, and construction of additional trails, including a
paved trail. It also calls for re-grading of large areas of the site,
which involves digging that will further disturb burials and sacred
objects. This planned grading includes “capping” known
shellmound/burial areas with 12 inches of soil.
The local Native American community has been outspoken for over ten
years about the Glen Cove Sacred Site, and the message has been
overwhelmingly: do not further disturb and manipulate this sacred
burial ground of our ancestors. It is not a park. Spiritual leaders
from Ohlone, Miwok, Pomo and other local tribes consider the proposed
park development plans to be an offensive desecration of this holy
area that has already seen many years of abuse in the hands of
settlers. Furthermore, they consider the manipulation of their
ancestors’ burial site without informed consent to be a violation of
their human and religious rights.
*** DAY 7 UPDATE
The spiritual encampment is holding strong. Many California Native
brothers and sisters joined us last night from the Central Valley with
their songs and medicine, and have vowed to remain. Many prayers and good
words were spoken today.
In the evening, a presentation and discussion was held, focused around the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Representatives from the International Indian Treaty Council explained the
value of taking a rights-based approach to protecting sacred lands and
asserting indigenous sovereignty.
Healing arts practitioners: There is a request from some of the Elders for
massage. They are making sacrifices by standing with us day and night to
guide us, despite difficult health conditions – it is our responsibility
to care for them well. Please visit the encampment if you can offer
assistance.
Photos from today have been posted at: