The Longest Walk 2 is a spiritual walk for cultural survival and is
comprised of men, women and children from Native and non-Native communities including Nipponzan Myohoji Japanese Buddhist Monks and Nuns.
The five-month long transcontinental journey on foot from San Francisco will arrive in Washington, D.C. on July 11, 2008, bringing attention to issues of environmental injustice, protection of sacred sites, cultural survival,youth empowerment, and eroding Native American rights.
Two routes covering more than 8,000 miles in total will arrive in Washington DC on July 11th where a three day cultural survival summit will be held. The Longest Walk 2 also marks the 30th anniversary of the original Longest Walk of 1978 that resulted in historic changes for Native Americans.
Harassment by Ohio police continued the following day during a press conference Tuesday, June 3, when police enforcement ordered Longest Walk drummers off the steps of the Ohio Statehouse.
The Longest Walkers peacefully continued with their press conference and aired statements shaming the police for their cowardly actions. Since the prayer walk started at Alcatraz Island on February 11th, 6 states have issued proclamations in support of The Longest Walk acknowledging the message of "All life is Sacred" and encouraging citizens to join walkers in their efforts to "Protect Mother Earth".
In a letter addressed to the Columbus Ohio Chief of Police, Longest Walk supporter Pennie Opal Plant (Cherokee, Choctaw, Yaqui) stated:
I am appalled by what is being reported. When did it become an issue for people to simply walk?
Why were your officers so threatening?
Why did they use such extreme force and fear tactics on a group of unarmed peaceful walkers?
Opal Plant challenged Chief Jackson to make amends to the walkers and challenged him to support the walkers.
Why did they threaten to take the children to Child Protection Services? These are unacceptable behaviors forany police officers in any department in the United States. I urge you to do the right thing here. We are living in uncertain times and acts of compassion and kindness are needed for us all to make our through these times with grace. You can do something good here that makes up for the officers that intimidated defenseless non-violent people in your city.
Longest Walk 2 is part of many communities ongoing commitment to protect sacred sites, cultural preservation, and to create awareness about the environment. People from all over the world are joining the walk with its peaceful and spiritual call to action to protect Mother Earth and defend Human Rights.
The Longest Walk is an Indigenous Peoples walk and is open to
people of all nations and cultures. Everyone is invited to join in and participate in the walk at any point in time on either route, for any length of the route. For more information please visit www.longestwalk.org
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Morning Star Gali
www.longestwalk.org
www.earthcycles.net
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