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Report on Leonard Peltier March in New York City on 10 December, 2000

My fiancée and I just returned from driving the vans carrying the 30 Pine Ridge honored guests on a tour of NYC then to their plane at LaGuardia Airport. These are survivors of the Reign of Terror who came to NYC to participate in the Walk for Peace and Reconciliation and many had never been to NYC before. 

In spite of not living in NYC [living 70 min north in CT], I did not get them lost and we were able to experience sitting in the traffic like vertan New Yorker's as we went to Central Park, then stopped for last minute "bargain shopping", looked at the mass of humanity everywhere and wondered how people who live in such crowded conditions could stay connected with the Mother Earth - how could people stay grounded when they were surrounded by asphalt, concrete, sirens, construction equipment, honking horns [a new phrase was coined "Honka Hey"] - everyone was eager to get back to Pine Ridge - it is difficult to understand how people can feel the moon and the quiet peace amidst such noise and chaos.

The Walk the day before [Sunday 12/10] was to me a fantastic success - I heard from experienced security people that they estimated almost 4,500 walkers - I heard from another experienced "demonstrator" that there were between 3 - 3,500 people - my estimate was close to 4,000 - my friend who has worked for the NYC Parks Depts for many many years and has experienced crowds over his years estimated the crowd to be 3,500 - 4,000 strong - of all colors - of all races - of all religions - of all People.

Lu and I and two neighbor children were up at 4 AM Sunday and headed down to the Sunrise Pipe Ceremony with two honored guests who slept at our home Sat Night in order to make it to the Walk.

The day Sunday 12/10 began with a quiet, centering Pipe Ceremony in Battery Park [the far southern end of the main New York City Island - ironically, not far from the "financial" money grubbing center - Wall Street]. 

Dave Chief from Pine Ridge was the ceremony Leader - the wind was a little gusty, the temperature approaching 40 - it was gray - but no rain or mist - the city pigeons were everywhere reminding that even in the city, the Winged Ones survive.

There were 9 Chanupas and probably 100 - 150 People - the Drum was excellent and helped establish a powerful centering and connection among the People - the People gathered in a large Circle around the Drum and as i stood in outer Circle, I was invited by Chief Dave to join the other Pipe Carriers in the center with my Pipe, which I did - I do not wish to say more out of respect for everything that happened which are beyond words to begin with, but it was an excellent beginning of the day - helping to set the spirit, the tone, the healing, reconciliation, strength, and the somberness of the event - each person in their own way remembering the suffering of the Peoples throughout the centuries - the suffering of Leonard - the suffering of the two dead agents - the suffering of the families - and the prayers of the People for a healing - for reconciliation - and the hope and prayers that Leonard will be released - as a new beginning - for him - for the People - for justice - Peoples of all colors - all religions - all races - standing in the dawn in this very small, postage stamp size park surrounded by towering sky-scrapers - and hearing the flutter of the wings of the park pigeons who seemed to know what was happening and welcomed the healing powers which had been brought together in the City

A gentleman, Raphael Huser, had come all the way from Switzerland for this event in order to return something that had come into his hands almost 10 years ago - he is an antique dealer in Switzerland - and he had held on to this sacred thing for the past 9 years waiting to learn of the right moment that it should be returned - to the People of Pine Ridge - where it was home. It was over 105 years old - and i will say no more words of it for it was very - well - the wonderful - well - won't even try for to even try to touch it with words would weaken the memories - those in attendance felt the power of the healing - and the completion of a Circle - and the beginning of new Circles Dave Chief accepted it from Raphael and it was passed around to be held and honored and thanked - and Raphael was shown great gratitude by everyone present.

I spoke at length with Raphael and he is truly an honorable man - many times, we both had tears - for he spoke of the Circle he had completed by his actions and was very moved by the event - and the Circles he had started would be very healing - he commented that at the time he purchased it, the money was very large - but he knew he was doing it in order to hold it until it could be returned.

Following the Pipe Ceremony, I then went to the final Security Meeting for the Walk organizers - we had been meeting every Monday for the past 2 months at the offices of the International Action Committee who graciously gave us use of their facilities for organizing the Event - Enre of IAC lent us his wisdom and experience throughout the planning.

I cannot say enough good things about everyone who worked on this event - there are many many whose names i should say but will not out of protection for them- and they will understand for they did not do this and volunteer their time for self glorification - but for Leonard - and the cause of Justice - for all Peoples.

Theresa of the NYCLPDC has worked tirelessly for the last 10 years [and more] to keep the movement for Leonard's release in the forefront of people's thoughts - Denis Moynihan who came from Boston worked tirelessly - both of them tired, haggard and drained - but were smiling at the close of Sunday's events - - the NYC Lawyer's Guild volunteering their time and energies in getting the numerous permits - Jeana from the Kansas LPDC - Jean Day [enough said about this wonderful lady and powerful Warrior] - trying to remember all of the good good people - Carlito who along with Brother BullWhip and Brother BJ made the Security team work perfectly throughout the Walk and Rallies - so many many more - we had to feed the People who came from Pine Ridge - so Irwin and I can't think of her name right name - from the American Indian Community House in NYC were VERY helpful in that - hosting meals - Irwin organizing along with others the medical support - Dawn Eagle, Heidi, Russ, Cathy many many many many more - ALL working together for ONE purpose - to make a good powerful statement in support of persuading Clinton to grant Clemency to Leonard - to speak for Healing and Reconciliation - and to speak in a Healing Reconciling manner.

I must say more about the security volunteers - we had "rehearsal" on the Saturday 12/9 - 9:30AM - 2PM - practicing how to respond to various incidents - the Native American Law Student Club of the Columbia School of Law were very active and instrumental in obtaining a large room for us to gather and meet - I think her name was also Jeana - a law student - who came and made certain we had everything we needed including bagels and coffer before she went to take an exam - having gone through law school, I marveled at how calm she was and focused on the mission of helping Leonard. 

What we tried to do with security was instill an attitude of powerful peacefulness - we did not want any aggression - hostility - confrontation - we wanted to be examples of peace, power, pride and calm - we monitored carefully - both the Police, the crowd and our own People - always on the look out for provocateurs - instigators - "plants" whose mission was to start something and destroy the Walk for Peace and Reconciliation.

Walky-talkies were distributed - and practiced - procedures - communications - it was very powerful to see so many many wonderful people of all colors coming together to help a man who has spent 25 years in prison due to the continuation of the injustices against the People.

Jean Day - it is amazing how she says so much in so few words - thanked everyone - and commented on the visions of the Four Colors - and how Peoples of all colors would come together - and how she was seeing that in this room - many of the volunteers were Black Panthers - many Latino, Puerto Rican, Cubano - Asians and what Jean referred to People "without color" - People of "no color" - [those who are "white"] - a speaker at the United Nations later stated that another translation of Leonard's name was "one who brings the People together" and he certainly lived up to his name sake today.

It was truly beyond words - to sit and watch as Peoples came together - in order to make a good powerful statement in support of Leonard - for Leonard represents Injustice everywhere - not only to him, but to all Peoples - for as long as Leonard is in prison, so are we all as one speaker at the United Nations expressed it later in the day.

Last minute preparations were made at the International Action Center - Enre, the man who sat in on every meeting with a lifetime of experience in demonstrating watching the proceedings like an elder - for his eyes have seen many lat minute scramblings - knowing that in the end, all will come together as it should be - as it was meant to - lending a voice of calmness, reassurance and help - answering the ever ringing phone in order that others could focus on their tasks.

From the IAC, we went to the Union Square where the Walkers were to gather - it was wonderful to watch as People of all color gathers - the speakers making statements - Cathy Thunderbird reading to the growing crowd the two wonderful poems she had written and rehearsed while spending the night with Lu and i the night before - and she also rehearsed in the car to the two children who wanted to come with me and speak heir own voice in support of Leonard and against injustice to any People as we drove to Battery Park for the Sunrise Ceremony - her poems also being part of this miracle - Cathy in her way helping people to remember their Connection to the Mother Earth - and to each other.

Then the Walk was to begin from Union Square - I want to say something about the NYC Police - i felt that they were prepared - seeing the "zip strips" [handcuffs} dangling from the belts of many in preparation for restraining - BUT - I did not feel any antagonism - hostility - arrogance - provocation - from them - THEY had set up the Blue Police Line barricades - and a "buffer" had been created - it was interesting because i could not tell if the buffer was between the Marchers and them - or if it was to establish the limits of the March Permit beyond which we were not to go - but their was no animosity - I think they were hoping as much as us that we would make speak for out in for Healing and reconciliation in a way that did not contradict the message we were trying to get heard.

I and my Security Partner were assigned to walk along the front portion of the walkers - we had Peacekeepers scattered through the walkers - some wearing badges to identify them, others being "unmarked" - every pair having a walky-talky - provided by Carlito - again, everyone volunteers - everyone working for the same purpose - to make a powerful positive statement against the injustice which is keeping Leonard in prison.

The walk started - and the Drums sent shivers as it was the Heart Beat - and songs - MANY had made beautiful banners - signs - carrying them high, strong and powerfully - NYC Ordinances prohibit WOOD sticks for signs so we all used cardboard tubes as sign holders - I had to help some Walkers to dismantle a beautiful banner which had been assembled out of PVC tubing - but it was carried by them without the PVC.

A group had WALKED from the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia to NYC to participate in the Walk - those in front - the Pine Ridge survivors - took off at a GOOD PACE - GRIN - those in wheelchairs were being pushed - the feeling was wonderful - every one was nervous - the Police were nervous - and for a moment, everyone was - well - it was sort of like walking across a frozen lake never knowing if the ice was going to crack and break and all &&*%(&% break out - or if it was going to be a peaceful, powerful, good walk.

The Police walked along side of us - in some way, to make certain that we did not take up more than the 1 - 2 lanes of the main NYC streets assigned to us, and in another way, to protect us from outside agitators [of which i did not see any - I did not even see people standing with "anti-Leonard" signs - even though the Walk had been widely publicized] - and in another, to watch the Walkers for any disturbance or problems.

Throughout the almost 2 mile walk [it took about 1 1/2 hours], security was constantly talking to each other - alerting each other if there was a problem - those in the rear telling the front that the walkers were too far ahead and a "gap" had developed in the middle of the Walk so that the front would either slow down or stop in order for the rear to catch up - all of this being done without the marchers every really knowing - all the marchers knew was that they were there making positive, powerful, wonderful statements in support 
of a man who does not deserve to be in prison.

As we came to intersections, a uniformed officer or patrol car would block traffic so that we could walk by - occasionally, none was present, so Igor and I had to peal off and stop traffic as the Walkers passed by until we were replaced by a uniformed officer - the exchanges between is and the Police were friendly and cordial - they smiling - if any of you have ever been in NYC, you know that "patience" is not a strong suit among NYC drivers - we were blocking intersections for probably 20 - 20 minutes as our Walkers went by.

Since Igor and I looked like one of the marchers, all of the cabs and others would lay on their horns and yell obscenities: "Get out of the road you &*%(&*%$(!!" - Igor and I happily ignoring them for to respond would have potentially exploded into something which would have detracted from the miracle of the Peaceful, Powerful Walk - in support of Leonard. I even smiled when i was relieved by one Uniformed officer who started to go after one of the horn honkers and profanity yellers - and watched as the guy turned tail and showed his true yellow streak - the police officer and I exchanged glances and smiles - I swear I saw him wink at me because of the humor.

It tool almost 1 1/2 hours to walk from Union Square to the United Nations - the solid line of walkers - the Procession - covered almost TWENTY BLOCKS LONG - it was awesome to step out onto the sidewalk and try to see from the front to the end but it was impossible - I could see banners and signs high in the air above everyone's head - it was awesome - there were 3 - 4 Drums - each singing powerfully - the HeartBeat giving strength to all - many had hand drums - many were singing - shouting.

I saw many many many many familiar faces and friends - Rich, Carlos, Darlene, Red Sage, FireBird - on and on - each speaking powerfully by their presence - many coming from Canada - or Long island - Connecticut - a true Gathering.

I did not hear of the 4 [i originally heard it was 6] who got arrested until we had almost gotten to the United Nations Dags Hammerschold Plaza - since I was part of Security and the attorney liaison with the Lawyers Guild - the way I heard it was that the 4 who had gotten arrested had an "illegal" sound equipment - in NYC, you need permits for sound equipment - we had permits to gather at Battery Park for the Pipe Ceremony, to gather in Union Square to start the March, for the actual route of the march on the City streets because we were blocking traffic and pedestrians - and for the gathering at Dags Hammerschol Plaza at the UN [with a sound permit] and for even the Vendor booth of the LPDC who sold t-shirts and other things to help pay for the permits, the hotels for the Pine Ridge honored guests, the airplane tickets, the rented travel vans, meals for the guests, etc etc etc (the LPDC STILL COULD USE DONATIONS, SO PLEASE SEND IT IN IF YOU CAN) 

Those who got arrested had been told before the march to not bring their sound equipment because there was no permit for it - as i heard it, they refused to listen to the request and wanted to use it throughout the march - I heard that the Police told them to stop using it and that there was no permit, and when they refused and became what i heard was belligerent, the Police arrested them.
 
I also understand that some innocent people near them also got arrested because they were dressed in a similar manner as those who were using the sound equipment - everyone was there FOR LEONARD, but it saddened me to find that some may not have understood that we were there to be in a good way - to speak a powerful voice - but to not do it in an angry, hostile manner.

I was there late into the evening after the march was over as Jeana from Kansas LPDC was on the phone trying to see what could be done to help those who got arrested. I can say that we security did not run to prevent the police from arresting those people - we had specifically discussed what our coordinated reaction and response would be if such an incident did occur - it was our consensus that for this march, we did not want any response that would exacerbate the situation - we did not want to rush to form a "battle line" - we were there to protect the children, women and Elders from harm - but not to do battle - or resist - we realized that we were examples - and if Marchers saw us rush to stop the Police from arresting people who did not understand the spirit of the Walk, then the Marchers themselves would also join us - and THAT WAS precisely what we did not want to happen - we did not abandon anyone, but simply felt for the good of the March and the message, we would fight for them in a different way after the march.

I feel badly for those who got arrested - but I feel they were asked to HONOR the purpose of the walk - and to not cause problems- for we wanted a powerful, united, Walk for PEACE and RECONCILIATION - I later heard that 2 of those arrested have been VERY active for many years in the fight to Free Leonard and I can only hope that they see this as but another chapter in their ongoing fight.

At the United Nations, we had many EXCELLENT SPEAKERS - Jean Day and Ernie Stevens, Jr were the MC's - with Jeana of Kansas LPDC keeping the speakers ready to go up - Leonard's daughter and granddaughter brought their special strength, sacrifice and honor to the gathering -as well as members of the Jumping Bull's family spoke - the guests from Pine Ridge - John Trudell - Alice Walker [Pulitzer prize winner author of the Color Purple] - Ramsey Clark, and Jennifer Harbury [Leonard's attorney for many many many years never giving up the fight] Peter Mathiessen and many many others.

The wonderful talks continued from 2 until after 4 - and the sky began to darken as the sun went down - a cold, drizzle began to fall - misting - not enough to raise an umbrella if you had one, but enough to soak over time - the crowd had been thinning - things winding down - as you know, Security - like Dog Soldiers - are the last to leave - all of a sudden, Bullwhip and Carlito came running to me and sad "Don, come with us" as we ran across the Plaza they explained that some construction workers from across the street had crossed under the Blue sawhorse barricades and taken the upside down "American flag" with tribal markings of some kind which had been placed on the UN Building by our marchers and they were refusing to return it - it was felt that the workers had taken the flag under the approving watching eyes of the Police standing along the line - you got to remember that at all times, there was a SOLID line of Police surrounding the rallies and the walkers and the gatherings - behind Blue "sawhorse" Police barricades.- 

When we got to the construction workers across the street, yelling began - the construction worker ADMITTING he stole the flag - "Yeah, i took the flag cause you people don't know how to treat it. When you learn how to treat it, I'll give it back." 

Well, Brother Bullwhip [an original Panther and well - physically not one you would voluntarily antagonize] and Carlito [for sake of respecting his own personal security, enough said] are not two people you want to mess with - individually and especially together - but this construction guy had some of his own "buddies" across the street tugging on ropes who seemed eager to come over - who knows what other "buddies" were waiting who could not have been seen.

I got to say that the situation was very heated from the beginning with the construction worker going out of his way to be confrontational, provocative and belligerent - finally, a uniformed officer came over and said "What's the problem?" at which point I said - in a very very calm voice - "Officer - this gentleman [pointing to the construction worker] admitted in front of all these people including me their attorney that he stole property belonging to some one else." I was staring the construction worker in the eyes when I said this and saw the construction worker understand the significance of what I had just told the officer - the construction worker had admitted to perpetrating a crime and I was telling this officer of his admission. 

The officer asked what had been stolen and told us to file a complaint - the construction worker then began to deny that he had admitted stealing the flag - at which point i was able to re-establish eye contact with him and said "Look, if you are going to try to make a "political" statement, at least be honest about and do not run from what you know is your own truth." at that point, Cathy Thunderbird needed me and pulled me away - I ran into Carlito a few minutes later and he said that they had gotten the flag back without incident - and we laughed, he apologizing to me for accepting the invitation from the construction worker to go to the park [lucky for the construction and maybe Carlito cause who knows who was waiting over at the park for Carlito] - fortunately - another potentially explosive situation did not occur - who knows, those construction workers could have been FBI - or undercover - and only there to try to start something - to destroy the peace and reconciliation - and POWER of the day long events - whatever.

Towards the end of the rally, I could feel the tension in security easing - we were smiling - hugging - thanking each other and the Creator for such a wonderful wonderful day - tears were common throughout those in attendance, the volunteers working - and the speakers - and the Pine Ridge guests - and Leonard's daughter and granddaughter - but there was MUCH pride - and much unity - and much strength - much healing - and many many many many many prayers for Leonard's release.

We went back to the hotel where the Pine Ridge people were staying - and everyone was on the phones - it was a good feeling - the walk had been what it was prayed it would be - and efforts were made to help the 4 who had gotten arrested.

I think for a gathering of almost 4,000 people, it was excellent that only 4 were arrested - I am sad for the 4, but this was not a Shriner's Parade or Jerry Lewis March - and I would venture to say that more arrests occur during the Macy's Christmas parade - the four could have avoided being arrested i think, but I will say no more about that.

People knew why they were there - I thanked many of the marchers who walked and stood WITHOUT anyone singling them out for recognition - all of the speakers thanked the marchers - for without the marchers, the event would have not been - these 4,000 people came - walked - stood - and in their presence, spoke a very very loud and powerful voice and prayer for Leonard's release - and for a healing and more justice.

The day before had been a walk for Abdul Mumia, another human being who is imprisoned and facing death for what is believed to be another example of the injustice inflicted - and prayers and statements were made throughout Sunday's walk also for Mumia - as well as others - for the Walk for Justice included Leonard, Mumia and others who have been victimized by the abuse of power.

Well, Monday morning - up early - 1 1/2 hours back to NYC to get the vans to take the Pine Ridge honored guests on a tour of NYC before taking them to LaGuardia.

It was fun Monday - the stress of worrying about the Walk finally leaving - we joked about how we should not open the windows of the van cause somebody will reach their hand in and steal - or rob us- I told them as a special treat that the LPDC had arranged to have them "mugged" and they all laughed.

Well - it was an awesome event - and one can only hope and pray that President Clinton hears the cries and prayers for justice, healing, reconciliation which Leonard's release require - one can only pray that president Clinton hears the quiet - the timeless truths - and releases Leonard for that would be a powerful action by him - consistent with his own refusal to fight in the Vietnam War - his own recent trip to Hanoi in order to help heal the wounds between the US and Vietnam and his own actions in pardoning the 11 I believe Puerto Rican militants.

I was somewhat disappointed that there was little - if any - press coverage of the event - i did not see it on the NYC TV stations - not even in the Times - it was sad - but then it hit me - maybe a quiet storm can be heard more loudly by President Clinton - for the quiet of the people seems to indicate their support for release - I can say that the VAST VAST VAST majority of the people along the sidewalk whom we passed supported our cause - I can only recall two people out of the thousands - one guy was on a cell phone - probably to his stock broker - saying "Those Indians got some nerve ....." and i walked on and could not hear the rest - did not care cause WE had made our point - WE DO HAVE SOME NERVE - after 500 years, WE ARE STILL HERE !!!!!!! Another old woman was ranting and raving about how we blocked traffic, but I think her hemorrhoids were bothering her - whatever.

Thanks to the LPDC, Brother Bullwhip, Carlito, Denis, Theresa, Jeana everyone - everyone everyone - everyone - for all that they did - and I can only hope and pray that President Clinton hears the TIMELESS cry for Justice - and he makes a powerful statement in support of that timeless struggle and releases Leonard - before Christmas - in thanks to all who helped and walked and supported.

Don "Spirit Thunder" Daines

Pictures from the NYC March

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