March 24, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Aislyn Colgan (831) 295-2555
Mano Cockrum (720) 276-7452
Morning Star Gali mstargali@gmail.com
www.longestwalk.org <http://www.longestwalk.org/>
Colorado Governor Declares March 2008 “Longest Walk Month”
Longest Walk 2 Stands in Solidarity with Western Shoshone People’s Rights
for Environmental Protection and Protection of Sacred Sites
Denver, CO- On Monday, March 24th, the Northern Route of the Longest Walk 2
arrived at the Colorado State Capitol and held a rally and press conference.
The press conference began with a proclamation from the Governor stating,
“The State of Colorado recognizes the participants of the Longest Walk 2,
welcomes them and encourages people around the state to take heed of their
message that promotes peace, justice, environmentally friendly practices,
and awareness of those in the Native American community that suffer.
Therefore I Bill Ritter, Governor of Colorado do proclaim March 2008 Longest
Walk Month in the state of Colorado.”
The Longest Walk 2 is a trans-continental spiritual walk for environmental
protection and Native American rights. Participants are on a five-month
journey on foot from San Francisco and will arrive in Washington, D.C. on
July 11, 2008. The Northern Route of The Longest Walk 2 is following the
original route of 1978 that resulted in historic changes for Native
Americans.
Following the Governor’s proclamation read by Ernest House Jr, (Ute Mt.
Ute) he stated, “Protection of Sacred Sites is something the state of
Colorado continues to promote.” Longest Walk 2 participant Weldon Austin
(Western Shoshone/ Paiute) then read a statement on behalf of the Western
Shoshone Defense Project, “Newmont knows they are operating on Shoshone
lands in Nevada. They have been told of the ongoing human rights violations
and that the open pit cyanide mining is in violation of our traditional
teachings”. Western Shoshone Defense Project also offered support by stating
“This walk, The Longest Walk 2, is about protection and healing.” Longest
Walk 2 participants announced the nomination of Carrie Dann, Western
Shoshone Grandmother and long time activist with the Western Shoshone
Defense Project for the Nuclear Free Future Resistance Award. On February
28, The Longest Walk 2 trekked through Western Shoshone Territories and
Carrie Dann honored participants with a visit.
The walkers continued from the State Capitol to the Newmont Mining
Corporation headquarters to stand in solidarity with the Western Shoshone
people in their effort to bring a commitment from Newmont Mining Corporation
to respect spiritual areas on their land and to invite them to support the
Longest Walk’s mission to protect sacred places across the country. A prayer
vigil was held outside of Newmont headquarters where prayers and support
were offered. Following an initial refusal by Newmont to meet with delegates
from the walk, Jimbo Simmons, Coordinator for the Northern Route of the walk
was able to successfully deliver the message asking Newmont Mining Company
to stand up and be a leader in the mining industry and make a commitment to
respect spiritual areas and adopt the corporate policy presented to them by
Western Shoshone Defense Project in 2006.
Returning from Newmont Headquarters, Longest Walk 2 participants took a
moment at the Civil War Memorial and Sand Creek Massacre Plaque in front of
the State Capitol to offer prayers before the walk heads to the Sand Creek
Massacre Site April 4-6, 2008. The Longest Walk 2 is stopping in
communities all across Turtle Island to listen to Native peoples concerns,
document and deliver them to US officials in DC. They plan to bring the
issues of sacred site desecration and environmental destruction facing the
Western Shoshone Nation to the US Government upon arrival in Washington D.C.
After their Pueblo visit, the Longest Walk 2 will continue to the Sand Creek
Massacre Site. For a complete itinerary, specific directions and additional
information please visit: <http://www.longestwalk.org/>
www.longestwalk.org.
*Media: High Resolution Photos available upon request
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Morning Star Gali
www.longestwalk.org <http://www.longestwalk.org/>
www.earthcycles.net <http://www.earthcycles.net/>
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