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SENAA INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNS by Al Swilling, Founder
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The
Jaycees have never been particularly known for their cultural
sensitivity. The lack of moral or ethical consideration of the Lawrence
County, Alabama, chapter of the Jaycees was clearly demonstrated by
their actions of the past several days. Despite peaceful efforts by
Indigenous Americans to reason with the organization, the Lawrence
County Jaycees held their "Trail of Fears" festival at the
Oakville Indian Mounds. It is bad enough that the name is a
disrespectful parody of the "Trail of Tears," the forced
relocation of the Southeastern Indigenous Americans that cost thousands
of Indigenous American lives. To add insult to injury, the Jaycees
insisted that the festival be held at the burial site of Indigenous
American ancestors. To
quote Lawrence County, Alabama's
web site:
It was not by accident that the Jaycees chose either the name of their festival or its location. Both the name and the nature of the activities of the festival were deliberate designs to play off of and profit from the tragic events that befell the ancestors of today's Southeastern Indigenous Americans. The name alone was enough to anger many Indigenous Americans, especially those residing in Alabama. Using their sacred site and the burials of their ancestors was the ultimate insult. On the one hand, the Jaycees claim that the festival was conducted to benefit children of the area, which in itself is a noble effort. On the other hand, the means to that end, their refusal to listen to and take into consideration the concerns of the Indigenous American community has turned the event into a blatant and heartless demonstration of racism and bigotry that cannot be overlooked. When Indigenous Americans of the area offered to give the Jaycees the amount of money equal to what the Jaycees expected to raise from the festival, the Jaycees refused to cooperate. To Indigenous people, the Jaycees' refusal to comply even when offered compensation was a clear sign that the Jaycees had a motive other than that of raising money for children. Indigenous people suspected that the Jaycees were also intent on belittling Indigenous Americans and everything that they hold sacred by purposely desecrating perhaps the most holy Indigenous American site in the state of Alabama. Subsequent events have only substantiated those suspicions. In their attitude of "the end justifies the means," it seems that the Lawrence County Jaycees may have done far more harm than good both to the community and to their Jaycees chapter, if not the Jaycees as a whole. The nobility and benevolence of the Jaycees' efforts for the children are overshadowed by what Indigenous and many non-Indigenous people consider malicious actions against Indigenous Americans that have become perhaps the ultimate insult to Indigenous American men, women, and children. The Oakville Indian Mounds are holy for two reasons. First, it is the site of the burial of their ancestors. Second, it is the site of a ceremonial mound, where ceremonies of thanks to the Creator were held and are still held to this day. To Indigenous Americans who reside in Alabama, this site is inextricably connected with their spiritual beliefs and practices. The desecration of this site is a violation of their rights to religious freedom. To restrict the area in any way, for any length of time, is to infringe the religious freedom of the Alabama indigenous people. It is also a violation of the American Indian Religious Freedom Right Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-431). The actions of the Lawrence County, Alabama, Jaycees is inexcusable; but excuse it is just what Jaycees President Shannon Livingston tried to do. Livingston is reported as saying, "Crops were harvested on the ceremonial grounds, and there was a pig parlor at the base of the mound.... If action had not been taken to purchase, preserve and make a community park, we wouldn't have the privilege to be here today." What Livingston has failed to consider is that, since before the 1838 Trail of Tears, the Oakville Mounds area was controlled by non-Indigenous people who did not appreciate the sanctity of the site. The only concern of the settlers who moved into the area was the land's value as farmland and its developmental potential. Indigenous Americans from the area have always known the area's significance and were powerless to do anything about it until laws of the past 30 years or so have restored many religious rights to Indigenous people. The fact that swine have lived on that site or that it was used as farm land does not alter the fact that ancestral burials are there, that the site was used by the ancestors for ceremony to honor Creator, and that the site is sacred to Indigenous people. The Jaycees is the Junior Chamber of Commerce. Their purpose is to teach young people about good business practices. In this era of a worldwide marketplace, where people of all nationalities, languages, races, and religious backgrounds are coming together to do business, the nature of business has changed. While racism may have been tolerated at one time in the South, it will not be tolerated in today's worldwide marketplace. Business men and women who are not taught to respect the differing cultures and views of others and to take those differences into account when doing business will fail miserably. An international, multicultural environment has no room and no tolerance for bigotry, yet the Lawrence County Jaycees and the local law enforcement agencies are teaching by example that it is okay to target and humiliate certain races in the interest of business. By example, the Lawrence County Jaycees and the local law enforcement agencies are teaching the very children that they seek to benefit that racism and religious intolerance are acceptable business tactics and that some people's human and religious rights are unimportant. If allowed to continue, this Jaycees chapter will take business practices of Lawrence County and the surrounding area back 40 years or more. Such conduct is a gross violation of the religious and civil rights of not just the Indigenous Americans but of every person in the area. Today, they are trampling on the rights of Indigenous Americans. Tomorrow, it could be the rights of the Jewish community that are violated. Next week, it might be the rights of Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, or blue eyed Lutherans, or curly haired Episcopalians. Once it has been established that it is okay to violate one group's civil and constitutional rights, then it is a small matter to violate the rights of anyone, when it is convenient to do so. Such behavior is no longer acceptable either in the business world or in society in general. Not only is such behavior unacceptable, it is illegal. It is a violation of civil rights and, in this case, of specific laws that were enacted to restore the religious freedom once denied to Indigenous Americans. Because of the despicable, blatant, purposeful acts of bigotry committed by the Lawrence County Jaycees, SENAA International publicly condemns that chapter. This is not just a matter of local concern. The actions of this Jaycees chapter concerns the freedom and rights of all Indigenous Americans, just as it will affect all chapters of the Jaycees. In the opinion of SENAA International's membership, the actions of the Lawrence County Jaycees is despicable and the most gross violation of Indigenous American civil and constitutional rights and has proven the Lawrence County Jaycees to be bigoted and grossly biased. It is SENAA International's opinion that the Lawrence County Jaycees have, by virtue of their actions, miserably failed to uphold the ideals that they were created to uphold and have shown themselves to be unfit as guides and mentors of future business people in an era where success in a worldwide marketplace depends on not only understanding and tolerance of cultural and spiritual differences but actively looking for similarities upon which to base solid business relationships. There are also reports of assaults by police upon Indigenous Elders. SENAA will not excuse such action. All Indigenous people are taught to revere the elders as the wisdom keepers. Even if they were not our wisdom keepers, we would treat our elders with respect. There is absolutely no excuse for an armed policeman to physically attack or drag an elderly person. Such actions are reminiscent of the way Nazi soldiers treated the Jewish people's elderly and disabled; the way police officers in the South treated every black man, woman, and child during the Civil Rights Movement; and it is a cruel reminder of the way our own ancestors were treated when they were dragged forcibly from their homes, many times in the middle of the night, and force marched to the concentration camps. The Lawrence County law enforcement officers' behavior was inexcusable and shameful, to put it mildly; and Creator will hold them accountable. SENAA International asks that all supporters of religious freedom and liberty contact the Lawrence County, Alabama, Jaycees* and tell them what you think about their disrespectful, hurtful actions against the Indigenous American people; then demand that they give a public apology to the Indigenous people of Alabama and reimburse those arrested for the pain and suffering that the Jaycees are directly responsible for bringing upon them. SENAA International also asks that you contact the Lawrence County law enforcement officials and let them know what you think of their mistreatment of our elders. For those who do not know the whole story, I have compiled letters and eyewitness accounts of the events leading up to and including the "Trail of Fears" festival and the impact that it has had on the Indigenous American community. These reports are borrowed from Ishgooda's Native News web site for the convenience of our visitors and are reprinted under the Fair Use Doctrine of international copyright law. The origin of the reports reprinted below can be verified by visiting Ishgooda's Native News site at http://ishgooda.nativenews.org
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| REPORTS
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| Jaycees, Indians exchange
words over Halloween event at Mounds
By Clyde L. Stancil DAILY Staff Writer http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/001027/mounds.shtml
OAKVILLE -- The Lawrence County Jaycees president said the land that a local Cherokee tribe now holds sacred was the domain of pigs and farmers a decade ago. Jaycees President Shannon Livingston said at a press conference that pigs rooted on the burial mounds before the site was purchased for a park in 1992. "Crops were harvested on the ceremonial grounds, and there was a pig parlor at the base of the mound," said Livingston on Thursday. "If action had not been taken to purchase, preserve and make a community park, we wouldn't have the privilege to be here today." The Jaycees are holding a Halloween haunted forest at the Oakville Indian Mounds and Park Museum to raise money for Christmas gifts for needy children. But American Indians, led by the Blue Clan of the Echota Cherokee tribe, said the Jaycees are violating federal law that protects sacred American Indian sites. Blue Clan Chief Millard Shelton said Public Law 95-431, created in 1978 under the American Indian Religious Freedom Right Act, protects the property from such events. ------------ Date: Sun Oct 29, 2000 5:22am Subject: Fw: URGENT!!!! Indian arrests made and assulted PLEASEEEE POST Word has reached us tonight of five arrests at the Oakville Mounds protest. All five arrests are of Native people attending the protest. Two have been charged with felonious assault (pushing a police officer) and three misdemeanors. Per the dispatcher at the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department no one was injured. Per an anonymous source chief Shelton was not among those arrested, however, the Vice-Chief (whose name is not known at this time) may have been among those currently in custody. the grand chief was said to have been present as well. The following information comes from those who were present tonight. ANY planning to attend future protests are urged to remain in remembrance that these are SACRED SITES being protected by our people, for our people.. Ishgooda From: "fire eyes" aktahi@c... This just in, I am sorry to have to report such horrible goings on I am really upset, but not surprised, as the police there have been allowing the tension to build, and have been biased in their duties of keeping the peace.. I will update you more as it comes in Lauri -----Original Message----- Date: Sunday, October 29, 2000 12:58 AM Subject: URGENT!!!! Indian arrests made and assulted PLEASEEEE POST Mrs, Wheeler, My name is Tiffany Adams, I Am Gene and Cyndi Gold's daughter. My Mother Just called us from the hospital Her and My Father and Cowboy were beaten up by the cops tonight. I don't know details, But Mom said she was taking pictures and Jim Martin told her to stop and she said Yes, Sir, at that time A large cop I believe by the name Mac Abee grabbed my mother. Dad then went to stand between My mother and the cop, and told the cop he couldn't take the camera He was hit in the back of the head with a baton and sprayed with pepper spray. They were taken to jail. They have been released and are at Lawrence Baptist Medical Center. My Mother said that she is covered in bruises and has filed charges. They messed Gene's legs up badly. I dont know the extent of everything that has happened. She asked me to email you this and have you get it on the page as soon as possible. I personally want to thank you for all your efforts. WADO, Tiffany Adams Gold I would appreciate you putting this in your own words on the page, I may not be making much sense right now. because I am very upset. She said she will be with you with the facts ASAP.
-------- > {NOTE: The following information was essentially the exact same information received by phone last evening from Chief MIllard ...Ish} From: DreamYonah...THANK YOU! My name is Diane Dross and my husband was one of those poor unfortunates arrested today. I am sorry if this is roughly written, but I am ill and very tired. I believe that it is important to get the story out. To start from the beginning of today. When we arrived we found that a small area had been blocked off with police tape. We were told not to pass that line or we would be arrested. There was also parked across the road, a paddy wagon. As deputy chief Jim Martin had already been arrogant and rude to us, we knew that they were looking for any excuse. We proceeded to peacefully protest from behind the police line until around 8 o'clock. At that time I noticed that a commotion was starting in the driveway farther down. Along with many others, I went down the line to see what was wrong. Most of us are mixed bloods who share a reverence for our ancestors that were forced to endure that heinous removal. I felt sick when I saw a Grandmother, a full blood Oneida, standing in the road surrounded by police. Several people walked forward and chief Martin said that anyone who passed the line would be arrested. Many of the Grandmother's family and friends tried to call to her, but she faced these "thugs with badges", like a true warrior. They grabbed the Grandmother roughly and she said to let her go, she would walk peacefully. The deputies would not release her and tried to drag her. At that point, the Grandmother's daughter started telling them to release her. Then an elderly man who was standing in front of me, put out his hands and started forward, telling them to release his wife. This Grandfather could barely walk, yet they grabbed him very roughly and started to drag him away also. My husband, Arthur Dross is a decorated Viet Nam veteran, disabled. He is also a member of the Native American Honor Guard and Warrior Society. When the Grandfather stepped forward, my husband put his hand on the police tape. At that point, chief Martin whirled and grabbed him, saying "you are under arrest," even though, he had not crossed the line. My husband did not try to resist in any way, he put his hands behind his back to be handcuffed. In spite of this, Martin twisted my husband's arm, nearly dislocating it. Chief Martin then said to my husband, " You are one of the ones I have been waiting for." The police then started to drag off their prisoners. I walked along the police line, staying abreast of the group. As I was walking toward the entrance, I heard chief Martin yell, "don't flash that camera in my eyes." I looked up to see Vice-Chief Gene Gold's wife Cyndi, standing on a wooden flower box at the entrance of the park. She lowered the camera and said "yes sir." At that moment an unidentified man in a flannel shirt jumped at her, knocking her backwards, yelling "give me that camera." I'm sure that Cyndi would have fallen except for the fact that the man had her by the arms trying to grab her camera. I kept approaching and saw him slinging her around, while she tried to hold onto her camera. Someone reached from behind me and took the camera. I turned my head for a moment to see someone running away with the camera, while that man tried to lunge past me to grab her. Happily, he failed. I looked back as Vice-chief Gene Gold stepped in between the man and his wife, saying "you can't take her camera." All of the sudden I saw deputy chief Martin grab Gene by the hair and slam his elbow into Gene's temple. Martin said, "You are under arrest for assaulting an officer." It is also reported that Martin hit him in the back of the head with his flashlight. The unidentified man turned out to be a plainclothes officer from their drug enforcement unit. Martin and the other man threw Gene onto his knees and pepper spayed him, twice. Chief Martin was very well aware that Gene is also a disabled Viet Nam vet. They drug Gene across the street and led him into the waiting wagon. Gene was blinded from the pepper spray, so he had to be led. When I was finally allowed to approach chief Martin, I told him that my husband was disabled and must have his medicine. One in particular, if he doesn't have it, my husband can convulse and die. He is also a severe diabetic. Martin asked me if I had his medicine with me. I said no, he takes it in the morning and at bedtime, there was no reason to be carrying it. Martin stated that my husband couldn't need his medicine too much, if we were not carrying it with us. At no time, were any of these people read their rights, even though they were told, that they were under arrest. Chief Martin said that they would not be released until after they went before the judge, on Monday. Fortunately for us, a veterans group intervened and persuaded the sheriff to allow them to post a bond and go home. Both my husband and Gene Gold have been charged with felony assault on an officer. These men NEVER so much a raised a hand toward the officers. These are trumped up charges, brought about by moneyed interests and abiding racism. My heart is on the ground, it fell with my tears. Diane Dross List info at: http://ishgooda.nativeweb.org/natnews.htm ---------------- Subject: UPDATE: Oakville Indian Mound Protest..Five Arrested This evening approximately one hundred protestors gathered on property reserved for them and a line drawn to separate them from the four to six hundred who came to the Jaycee sponsored "Haunted Trail" event. An elderly woman from Helfin chose to step over this line. Several urged her to show respect, the Chiefs urged her to retreat back behind the line, but others urged her to stand. Mr Dross stepped forward and grabbed one of the officers, per Chief Martin, which escalated the situation, three others from Helfin then also crossed the line and were arrested on misdemeanor charges. It was asked that there be no flash cameras, some ignored this and as one of the officers reached for the camera, Mr. Gold jumped Officer MacAbee per chief Martin. All were able to be released on personal bond by Chief Shelton's signature except for the elderly lady who had outstanding warrants from another jurisdiction. WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED? There has been a board of review put together consisting of an attorney from the board of education, the board of education, and the Echota Cherokee Chief concerning future use of this area. No one will be able to utilize this area again without getting board approval. The "Haunted Trail" wends its way through the grounds used for the Indian Festival and vendors. It is close to 1/4 mile away from the fenced off mound area. An officer was stationed at the fenced area to prevent any taking the Jaycee walk from entering or disturbing the area. Those who wished to go there to pray were able to do so without paying the Jaycee entrance fee. This was arranged by meetings in advance. Police Chief Martin states it has been a real learning event for everyone and agrees the name choice was most unfortunate. --------------------- From: "fire eyes" aktahi@c... Ok, it has been confirmed that this incident did happen Chief Millard was there and saw Gene Gold and his wife have an altercation with the police, over taking pictures. Please, we need to remember we have to stay peaceful we lodge our complaints in a peaceful way Please we cannot do anything that will provoke more violence the second letter was from a Dr who is a VA DR. in memphis, one of the men arrested is a high medical risk for heart attack which he informed the police of. Remember, we cannot afford for anyone to run down there all geared up to fight. We must remain calm, and allow those who can really help to step in. That is all I can say at this point We need to let people know what is happening but we cannot arouse emotions that will make this spiral out of control Lauri ------------ From: "fire eyes" aktahi@c... Date: Sunday, October 29, 2000 2:51 AM Subject: Jain's Letter...
Hau. I feel very sad. I know that it will be OK. but Gene Gold and Cowboy were taken to jail tonight. They were treated very badly by the Lawrence County deputies, and even an old grandmother and her daughter were taken in. The cops even used pepper spray. They had Gene down on the ground. 5 people all together were taken to jail. they confiscated Cyndi's camera when she was taking a picture of them manhandling the old grandmother ( I don't know her name....she's not from here.) some old fat deputy in plain clothes pulled at Cyndi's arm and then took her camera away from her. Gene knew the guy, so he grabbed the deputy's arm, and that's when they got Gene and put him on the ground. they shined a flashlight in his face and then they sprayed him with pepper spray. Nobody did anything wrong except that the grandmother walked out from behind the police line that they kept us all herded behind and stood in the road so that a car couldn't go by into the gate. Chief White was trying to talk her into not doing that, and so were a few others, but she wouldn't budge, and that's when it all broke loose. The cops started handling her, then some of the braves didn't like that and got between her and the cops (nonviolently) and then the fat one pulled Cyndi's arm and snatched the camera, next thing you know, Gene is on the ground, and I have no idea why they took in Cowboy. I didn't see that. After they took them all to jail, there was a ceremonial fire, and drumming. We kept the protest going, and some of us just talked. I hope that we can get some legal help for them. I have printed out your letter and will contact my friend the paralegal at the law firm that I substituted for in August, and see if she can approach any of the attorneys there. They're not too big on anything pro bono, but you never know. We didn't get coverage of the events that happened tonight like I thought we should have. I called Birmingham channel 6 news on my cell phone because I had that 800#. They said that they didn't have any helicopters available but that they would try to send someone over if they got one. They didn't come. I don't know if the other news media were called or not. I know that Larry got the phone numbers when he called Carol at home, but I didn't ever find out if Perry OK'd him to call or not. I didn't ask. I just called and told Perry and Millard about it afterwards. I probably should have asked first. That was terribly Janie of me. I'm so sleepy. I hope this letter makes sense. I'm sure you will get some more detailed accounts and updated information before I do. Anyway, just thought I would touch base and let you know how it went. Not nearly as many people there with us as I had hoped that there would be, but those we had were powerful. A lot of them went up to the mound tonight for the pipe ceremony. I was glad to see that. I stayed down at the gate. Love you very much, and will talk with you soon. Aho, Jain ------------- Trail of fears-Field of shame, an eyewitness account {NOTE: The following information was essentially the exact same information received by phone last evening from Chief MIllard ...Ish}
From: DreamYonah...THANK YOU! My name is Diane Dross and my husband was one of those poor unfortunates arrested today. I am sorry if this is roughly written, but I am ill and very tired. I believe that it is important to get the story out. To start from the beginning of today. When we arrived we found that a small area had been blocked off with police tape. We were told not to pass that line or we would be arrested. There was also parked across the road, a paddy wagon. As deputy chief Jim Martin had already been arrogant and rude to us we knew that they were looking for any excuse. We proceeded to peacefully protest from behind the police line until around 8 o'clock. At that time I noticed that a commotion was starting in the driveway farther down. Along with many others, I went down the line to see what was wrong. Most of us are mixed bloods who share a reverence for our ancestors that were forced to endure that heinous removal. I felt sick when I saw a Grandmother, a full blood Oneida, standing in the road surrounded by police. Several people walked forward and chief Martin said that anyone who passed the line would be arrested. Many of the Grandmother's family and friends tried to call to her, but she faced these "thugs with badges", like a true warrior. They grabbed the Grandmother roughly and she said to let her go, she would walk peacefully. the deputies would not release her and tried to drag her. At that point, the Grandmother's daughter started telling them to release her. Then an elderly man who was standing in front of me, put out his hands and started forward, telling them to release his wife. This Grandfather could barely walk, yet they grabbed him very roughly and started to drag him away also. My husband, Arthur Dross is a decorated Viet Nam veteran, disabled. He is also a member of the Native American Honor Guard and Warrior Society. When the Grandfather stepped forward, my husband put his hand on the police tape. At that point, chief Martin whirled and grabbed him, saying "you are under arrest," even though, he had not crossed the line. My husband did not try to resist in any way, he put his hands behind his back to be handcuffed. In spite of this, Martin twisted my husband's arm, nearly dislocating it. Chief Martin then said to my husband, " You are one of the ones I have been waiting for." The police then started to drag off their prisoners. I walked along the police line, staying abreast of the group. As I was walking toward the entrance, I heard chief Martin yell, "don't flash that camera in my eyes." I looked up to see Vice-Chief Gene Gold's wife Cyndi, standing on a wooden flower box at the entrance of the park. She lowered the camera and said "yes sir." At that moment an unidentified man in a flannel shirt jumped at her, knocking her backwards, yelling give me that camera. I'm sure that Cyndi would have fallen except for the fact that the man had her by the arms trying to grab her camera. I kept approaching and saw him slinging her around, while she tried to hold onto her camera. Someone reached from behind me and took the camera. I turned my head for a moment to see someone running away with the camera, while that man tried to lunge past me to grab her, happily, he failed. I looked back as Vice-chief Gene Gold stepped in between the man and his wife, saying "you can't take her camera." All of the sudden I saw deputy chief Martin grab Gene by the hair and slam his elbow into Gene's temple. Martin said, "You are under arrest for assaulting an officer." It is also reported that Martin hit him in the back of the head with his flashlight. The unidentified man turned out to be a plainclothes officer from their drug enforcement unit. Martin and the other man threw Gene onto his knees and pepper spayed him, twice. Chief Martin was very well aware that Gene is also a disabled Viet Nam vet. They drug Gene across the street and led him into the waiting wagon, Gene was blinded from the pepper spray, so he had to be led. When I was finally allowed to approach chief Martin, I told him that my husband was disabled and must have his medicine. One in particular, if he doesn't have it, my husband can convulse and die. He is also a severe diabetic. Martin asked me if I had his medicine with me. I said no, he takes it in the morning and at bedtime, there was no reason to be carrying it. Martin stated that my husband couldn't need his medicine too much, if we were not carrying it with us. At no time, were any of these people read their rights, even though they were told, that they were under arrest. Chief Martin said that they would not be released until after they went before the judge, on Monday. Fortunately for us, a veterans group intervened and persuaded the sheriff to allow them to post a bond and go home. Both my husband and Gene Gold have been charged with felony assault on an officer. These men NEVER so much a raised a hand toward the officers. These are trumped up charges, brought about by moneyed interests and abiding racism. My heart is on the ground, it fell with my tears. Diane Dross ----------- 5 arrested at Jaycees haunted trail in Oakville
By Deangelo McDaniel DAILY Staff Writer http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/001029/arrests.shtml OAKVILLE -- Five opponents to the Lawrence County Jaycees controversial haunted trail at the Oakville Indian Mounds and Museum were arrested Saturday night.
Two protesters, Arthur Dross of Somerville and Gene Gold of Mount Hope, were charged with assaulting Lawrence County Chief Deputy Jim Martin and a deputy with the Sheriff's Department. Three others, Esther Turley, Sonja Turley and Jesse Turley, all of Heflin, were charged with disorderly conduct, records show. Martin said one of the women from Heflin tried to block motorists from entering the park. "She refused to move back and the others were ordered to stay back," the chief deputy said. "Some of them then came forward and an altercation took place with me and another officer." Gold refutes Martin's account of the event. He said an elderly lady was blocking the road leading to the park. "We asked her to leave," Gold said. "The couple was arrested, and my wife snapped a picture. The officer demanded my wife's camera. I said she had the right, and that was all I got out of my mouth." Gold said he was then grabbed and turned around. "I was sprayed with pepper spray," Gold said. "I never touched an officer, and there are 50 witnesses to what happened." Dross also denied allegations that he assaulted an officer. The two were released, each on $5,000 bond. Millard Shelton said the three from Heflin are not part of the Echota Tribe of Alabama. "We believe that sacred grounds are being desecrated, but we plan to hold our protest peacefully," he said. The haunted trail will open again on Monday and Tuesday night. THE DECATUR DAILY Reprinted under the Fair Use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. -------------- From: Jack Stone To: LaurieWheeler@c..., wahyagi@h... Subject: Trail of Fears Update Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2000 11:53:19 -0600
I read the email from Tiffany Adams (Gene and Cindy Gold's daughter). Unfortunately, what she says is true. I would like to add that what prompted the pictures that Cindy was taking is that the police were in the act of arresting three Oniedas (the elderly lady is known as grandmother, her husband, and her daughter) who had joined the protest. These people were arrested for crossing the barrier tape that the police had strung up to contain the protesters within a specific area. They were treated very disrespectfully by the local police and literally dragged to the paddy wagon. All three were charged with trespassing because, according to the police, the Jaycees now have a contract or some form of lease for the park area. this is in direct conflict with what Cindy Collins (County Education Superintendent) has publicly stated. Gene Gold and Cowboy were charged with "assaulting a police officer" which is a felony. Remind everyone that both Gene and Cowboy are disabled veterans. Gene was wounded at least three times in Vietnam serving his country. Also, the police were trying to confiscate all cameras and/or video recorders they could locate. The police were actually directing traffic into the park for the Jaycees and had the protesters confined to an area that prevented us from turning away anyone. They had the exit lanes blocked with two State Patrol cars so that no one could leave once they had started to enter. Obviously, the "good-ole-boy" political system is alive and well in Lawrence County, Alabama. Everyone is aware that Gene and Millard were "marked men" from the time this peaceful protest began. Last night they finally got Gene and tried very hard to purposefully goad Millard into saying something so they could arrest him. There logic is that if they arrest these two then the rest of the protesters will simply go away. I was a participant in a conversation where the deputy sheriff tried to bate Millard into saying something in an angry tone so that he could arrest him. Millard was wise and strong enough to avoid his trap and at this time remains free. Millard was able to get Gene and Cowboy out on bond last night. Unless there is a loop-hole in the law, I think that it is especially important to point out that none of the individuals arrested last night were read their rights at the time of their arrest. Another piece of information is that there were some "mock" graves dug by the Jaycees to be used in this Halloween event. Chief Philip Sterling of the Southern Cherokee Nation saw them firsthand. He has made arrangements with the Lawrence County Sheriff (Grady Rose) for the two of them to go into the park on Monday and take pictures. Of course, by then they will probably be filled. By digging these mock graves the Jaycees have violated yet another law which requires a State Archaeological Representative to be present when any digging is done in a known burial site area. Jack Stone ----------
Oakville Mounds: web site From: "fire eyes" aktahi@c... We have updated and rearranged the web site so that it is much more easily managed. http://members.tripod.com/cherokee_ne_al/new_page_1.htm We have included a link to a free fax site, and all the fax, phone, email and physical addresses to everyone we can think of to contact to register our protest. It is on the 'contacts' link button. We have rearranged the site for easier reading, with all the up to date information. The journal will be updated tomorrow we are told by Chief Shelton. I will be signing off soon, so please, all who are keeping vigil tonight with prayers for our brothers and sisters, hold peace in your hearts, and know that we have stayed true, and stood for the right of respect for our beliefs. dohiyi - peace to you Lauri
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