Navajos Protest at Navajo President's Inauguration
Window Rock DDRC
For Immediate Release: Received 12 Jan.
Window Rock, AZ - Members of the Navajo Nation, faced with the devastating health and environmental effects of yet another coal-burning power plant, staged a peaceful demonstration here today. Elders from Burnham, children and other members of the organization Dooda Desert Rock Committee marched in Window Rock on the day that returning President Joe Shirley and 88 Council Delegates were sworn in.
"This is an issue that affects everyone," stated Dooda Desert Rock President, Elouise Brown, "public health, our family's burial sites, our sacred sites, air, water, you name it--It's all in jeopardy." Brown and her fellow marchers wore gas masks in Window Rock, symbolizing both the terrible respiratory effects of power plants such as the proposed Desert Rock facility, and to symbolize the way in which their voices have been suppressed by our Navajo Nation government, including President Shirley.
Today's protest at the inauguration was a necessary escalation of a protest that began in Burnham, at the site of the proposed Desert Rock Power Plant, which the Shirley administration has actively supported. Sithe Global Power, a Texas-based energy company, has been lobbying hard to dig more coal from Navajo lands, and send more pollution into our air. That protest vigil began on December 12, and continues to this day. The protestors have gained a wide range of support from other Navajo citizens who disapprove of the Shirley administration. Many thanked the resisters for standing up and making the issue public.
At the forefront of the group were the elders whose leadership skills and passion to protect the land has kept the community members proactive in opposing the project. "We are strong because of our elders." Brown continues, "They are the main ones who are telling us what's at stake and what we need to do. We tell them to 'Go home, get some rest' but they don't want to. That shows how important this land is to them and we continue the fight because of them and for the future generations."
The group marched near the entrance of the Window Rock fairgrounds before they were forcibly stopped and blocked out by Navajo Nation law enforcement officers. A helicopter from the New Mexico National Guard appeared on the site, giving signal to the resisters that Shirley would be flown out if they provoked a riot.
"This is a peaceful vigil", insisted the elders at the site, "we are showing him our opposition, not trying to fight him." The group was denied access.
Despite the group not gaining entrance, the Dooda Desert Rock Committee demonstrated in mid-town Window Rock, seeing their peaceful march as a success. "We got our point across", Brown said, "and we know that we have public support in this issue. People know that we are not backing down from our opposition."
The group has gained national and international support but they still advocating the public voices of the Navajo. "People don't realize that even a few words is very effective", states Hank Dixon of the Dooda Desert Rock Committee, "We must stand up and say something!"
Please also see:
Desert Rock Blockade Live
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout4.php&id=3003&blz=1
Window Rock DDRC
For Immediate Release: Received 12 Jan.
Window Rock, AZ - Members of the Navajo Nation, faced with the devastating health and environmental effects of yet another coal-burning power plant, staged a peaceful demonstration here today. Elders from Burnham, children and other members of the organization Dooda Desert Rock Committee marched in Window Rock on the day that returning President Joe Shirley and 88 Council Delegates were sworn in.
"This is an issue that affects everyone," stated Dooda Desert Rock President, Elouise Brown, "public health, our family's burial sites, our sacred sites, air, water, you name it--It's all in jeopardy." Brown and her fellow marchers wore gas masks in Window Rock, symbolizing both the terrible respiratory effects of power plants such as the proposed Desert Rock facility, and to symbolize the way in which their voices have been suppressed by our Navajo Nation government, including President Shirley.
Today's protest at the inauguration was a necessary escalation of a protest that began in Burnham, at the site of the proposed Desert Rock Power Plant, which the Shirley administration has actively supported. Sithe Global Power, a Texas-based energy company, has been lobbying hard to dig more coal from Navajo lands, and send more pollution into our air. That protest vigil began on December 12, and continues to this day. The protestors have gained a wide range of support from other Navajo citizens who disapprove of the Shirley administration. Many thanked the resisters for standing up and making the issue public.
At the forefront of the group were the elders whose leadership skills and passion to protect the land has kept the community members proactive in opposing the project. "We are strong because of our elders." Brown continues, "They are the main ones who are telling us what's at stake and what we need to do. We tell them to 'Go home, get some rest' but they don't want to. That shows how important this land is to them and we continue the fight because of them and for the future generations."
The group marched near the entrance of the Window Rock fairgrounds before they were forcibly stopped and blocked out by Navajo Nation law enforcement officers. A helicopter from the New Mexico National Guard appeared on the site, giving signal to the resisters that Shirley would be flown out if they provoked a riot.
"This is a peaceful vigil", insisted the elders at the site, "we are showing him our opposition, not trying to fight him." The group was denied access.
Despite the group not gaining entrance, the Dooda Desert Rock Committee demonstrated in mid-town Window Rock, seeing their peaceful march as a success. "We got our point across", Brown said, "and we know that we have public support in this issue. People know that we are not backing down from our opposition."
The group has gained national and international support but they still advocating the public voices of the Navajo. "People don't realize that even a few words is very effective", states Hank Dixon of the Dooda Desert Rock Committee, "We must stand up and say something!"
Please also see:
Desert Rock Blockade Live
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout4.php&id=3003&blz=1