Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples from Occupy Boston

[PortlandSean]

The following resolution was passed by the Occupy Boston General Assembly on October 8th, 2011:

RESOLUTION:  Memorandum of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples

WHEREAS, those participating in “Occupy Boston” acknowledge that the United States of America is a colonial country, and that we are guests upon stolen indigenous land that has already been occupied for centuries, Boston being the ancestral land of the Massachusett people; and

WHEREAS, members of the First Nations have continued to resist the violent oppression and exploitation of the colonizers since they first arrived on this continent, and as a result have a great amount of experience that could strengthen this movement; and

WHEREAS, after centuries of disregard for the welfare of future generations, and the consistent disrespect and exploitation of the Earth, we find ourselves on a polluted and disturbed planet, lacking the wisdom to live sustainably at peace with the community of Life; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That we seek the involvement of the First Nations in the rebuilding of a new society on their ancestral land; and

As a signal to the national “Occupy” movement and to members of First Nations who have felt excluded by the colonialist language used to name this movement, it shall be declared that “Occupy Boston” aspires to “Decolonize Boston” with the guidance and participation of First Nations Peoples; and

Extending an open hand of humility and friendship, we hereby invite members of the First Nations to join us in this popular uprising now taking place across this continent.  We wish to further the process of healing and reconciliation and implore Indigenous Peoples to share their wisdom and guidance, as they see fit, so as to help us restore true freedom and democracy and initiate a new era of peace and cooperation that will work for everyone, including the Earth and the original inhabitants of this land; and

We hereby declare that Columbus Day should be referred to as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.”

 

We kind of missed the boat for Columbus Day, but still, I think this is a great proposal and I whole-heartedly agree. What are peoples' thoughts on officially adopting this in solidarity with Boston, with modifications to make it specific to Chicago and Illinois?

[m_x]

This is absolutely essential I have read much criticism from indigenous groups in regards to our name and not having made mention of their abuse.

 

I think we also need a blanket statement against discrimination of all ethnic groups, gender orientations and legal status. 

[Billy]

     I regularly wear a t-shirt that says " Department of Homeland Security " then has pictures of 4 historically famous native american chiefs and the phrase " fighting terrorism since 1492 " on the bottom. I think that states my opinion on the matter lol.

 

     That being said last night I watched on live stream as OccupyBoston was surrounded by cops that started dragging people off and beating them. The mayors office at 1:30 in the morning had a prerecorded message that said they were experiencing high call volumes due to occupy Boston. They had several ambulances and garbage trucks and cleared the whole park out in minutes. It is was being reported by people on cell phones at the site that the MSM was being told to leave the site and videos have been posted on youtube as of this morning that show cops violently pushing away anyone with a camera.

 

     That excessively violent reaction I think may give some insight into us pledging allegiance to the indigenous peoples of this land. I think we should get on this immediately. With so many towns and streets in the area having native names could we maybe get the research committee working on a list of the native peoples that used to occupy chicago and the surrounding area in this state that I believe has an indigenous name?

 

     We could roughly steal the Boston wording and add the names of our local ancestral occupiers. In one way I feel we need to give credit to Boston for the idea in another way I think that insults the leaderless collective. I mean I really like the idea of the fruits of the efforts of everyone in this collective belonging to the collective. It's very much like the open sourced movement in my opinion.