Protecting the Sacred!

From Mauna Kea to Standing Rock & the world over!

      This week saw a significant, though possibly temporary, victory of Native American Tribes and supporters protecting Sacred water against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) near Standing Rock, North Dakota.

      In a post by Margaret Flowers and Kevin Zeese for Popular Resistance (https://popularresistance.org/standing-rock-the-fight-continues/) Bismarck, ND – Monday, December 5 was the date the the US Army Corps Of Engineers’ eviction notice took effect. Tens of thousands of people converged on the Oceti Sakowin Camp over the weekend to be in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux in case the eviction was acted upon. Among supporters were over 2000 U.S. military veterans who came to stand in non-violent protest. Wes Clark Jr., a veteran and son of retired U.S. Army General Wesley Clark, and the assembled veterans took a knee and collectively asked for forgiveness of Tribal elders for the genocide and war crimes committed by the United States Military against tribal nations in this country. See the moving 2 min. video with the native elders response here http://slnm.us/aYa4WVS 

      On Sunday afternoon, the US Army Corps of Engineers announced that they were denying the final permit for Energy Transfer Partners to drill under Lake Oahe and that they would do an Environmental Impact Statement to assess other sites. The news was celebrated in the camp that night as a victory, although there was a healthy distrust of the US army Corps of Engineers and a sense that the struggle was not over. That was confirmed late Sunday night when Energy Transfer Partners and Sunoco XL issued a response, which stated, “…over the last four months the Administration has demonstrated by its action and inaction that it intended to delay a decision in this matter until President Obama is out of office.” and “ETP and SXL are fully committed to ensuring that this vital project is brought to completion and fully expect to complete construction of the pipeline without any additional rerouting in and around Lake Oahe. Nothing this Administration has done today changes that in any way.”

      President-elect Donald Trump has said he supports the pipeline being completed and promised a quick review of the Corps of Engineers decision. A spokesperson for the Trump transition team said, in response to the Corps decision, that the pipeline “is something we support construction of, and we will review the situation when we are in the White House to make the appropriate determination at that time.”

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      Mauna Kea –There is an on going Contested Case hearing brought by Native Hawaiians and supporters to stop the further desecration of Hawaii’s most sacred temple – Mauna Kea by the international TMT -Thirty Meter 18 story telescope, the 14^th telescope to be built on the mountain. Next week’s hearing dates are Dec. 12, 13, and 16^th at the Hilo Nani Loa Crown room 9AM -4:30PM. For additional upcoming dates see http://malu-aina.org/?p=4258

Stand for Justice! Make Peace!

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties.
   4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, anti-Hawaiian, etc.
   5. Seek peace through peaceful means and work for justice in Hawai`i and around the world.

Contact: Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box 489 Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760 Phone (808) 966-7622. Email: ja@malu-aina.org

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Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (Dec. 9, 2016  794th week) – Friday 3:30-5PM downtwn Post Office

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