Rio Tinto’s Idea of Community Relations
This morning I witnessed a scene that I hoped I never would. As most of you know, a group of citizens, both tribal and non, have been occupying the land known as Eagle Rock for over a month now. They have tents up, a cooking shelter, a sacred fire, and flags flying in the wind at the top of the rock. I traveled to the Rock around 8:30am this Thursday morning but was met by a police officer blockading a public road, County Road AAA, with his squad car. We parked and continued toward the Rock on foot. As we passed, I asked what right he had to block the public off. The officer informed me that the State Police gave him authority to block off a county road and state land. We continued pass the officer on foot and arrived at the encampment. Within five minutes, three officials that work for Kennecott showed up and issued everyone with letters. Matt Johnson, a former aid to Governor Granholm, began by stating that he was so happy to be “working” with this group. He continued with a statement about the land being a construction zone and their need to meet federal safety laws. They asked the group to leave and we all refused. Johnson said they would be forced to have police intervention. We sat back down around the sacred fire for awhile while the police were assembling just beyond Eagle Rock. Some of us put tobacco on the fire, some of us stoked the fire to keep it burning. About 15 state troopers appeared after awhile and informed us that they were just “doing there job”. I’ve heard that so many times it makes me sick. They asked who going to walk out and who wasn’t. Chris Chosa stepped up and stated they would have to remove him if they wanted him gone. Charlotte Loonsfoot watched from above as she was praying on top of Eagle Rock. Police told the group that no filming or cameras were allowed during the arrest. We refused and kept filming. Many members of the group stated that they had no right to be enforcing corporate law and we were enforcing citizen law. This all happened with Matt Johnson, Kennecott spokesman, hiding in the bushes on looking as police swarmed around the small group. Police radioed for Matt and other Kennecott officials to come forward but they did not. After strong words were exchanged, four of the group walked out voluntarily, many in tears. Chosa and Loonsfoot were cuffed and driven to jail as the rest sat on the roadside in the blueberry bushes, watching a company that was ready and poised to build a fence immediately after we were removed.
Now, here we are. Please look through the pictures and videos. This is not the time to give up. Keep checking back for more information as the situation unfolds. Keep everyone in your mind and help when you can. We will keep everyone up to speed.
Sacred Fire and Tobacco
Officer leading the arrest
Cop car blocking County Road AAA
Watch the video of arrested individual being taken away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pJLU08Rvns
Topic: Citizen Action, news, sulfide mining Tags: Citizen Action, citizen arrest, eagle rock, kennecott, rio tinto
May 27th, 2010 at 11:39 am
This is most discouraging. I was there earlier this week watching them construct the fence. I will follow the situation closely and support you in all your efforts. The sacred fire will keep burning in all our hearts!
May 27th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
I am sharing this with everyone I can. Letting Northwest Michigan know about this. Compasion and understanding have left our souls.
May 27th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
What more will it take to show our government that we are killing Mother Earth. When she dies, we will also die for she gives us life. What more will it take…another disaster like the horrific oil catastrophe in the gulf?
May 27th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Several friends met today and shared ideas. We will all call elected officials and find media connections and Native American connections around the country. You are not alone. There are more and more of us that know and care every day. What’s happening is wrong.
May 28th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Aanii Anishina I have sent out emails to everyone on my list all over Michigan. People in Ann Arbor are planning on carpooling to Lansing June 3. I also notified a few in Canada, asking everyone to share this information with everyone they know. Also to check out facebook. Sage is being burned at this moment and prayers being sent out to everyone. Mother Earth is in pain, she will heal herself, but WE CAN NOT live without her. Megwetch to those brave brothers and sisters who have been camping there for a month and putting themselves last to help save our Mother Earth.
Anishinabe Great Grandmother
May 28th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
The way that Eagle Rock has been ruined, the U.P. wherever Kennecott/Rio Tinto goes, will end up the same. For the life of me, I do not understand why so many do not see that! I am just so frustrated.
December 6th, 2010 at 7:06 am
I am very interested in what is going on at the Yellow Dog Plains and what I just read has made me very disappointed in the State Police and Mr.Johnson and the company he work for. It is just like in the past when there were protests that weren’t violent, the police would come and use violence and arrest people for trying to do something they knew was right. My high school of Hancock Central High just finished a Copper Country Week and on Friday December 3rd, we watch a live debate about the Mine at Eagle Rock. I didn’t like what came out of Mr. Johnson’s mouth when he answered my question. “What would happen to the Mine if they messed up in some way like BP had in the Gulf?”
Mr.Chuck Brumleve was one of the panalists for the Debate who words still ring in my ears well. I believe in him and all of those who are fighting the mine. No mine that does sulfid mining should be allowed to ruin any lands and any that are even close to water. If Lake Superior and the rivers are harmed, than Michigan’s greatest gift will be ruined. It all readly is comtainted from past mining so lets not ruin it more.