Oneida Nation Territory - Sept 2002
Call to Opponents of Corporate Globalization
Calling all WTO, IMF, World Bank, WEF, FTAA and NAFTA protesters
September 7, 2002
Your presence is needed immediately at the Oneida Nation Territory in
Central New York. The same forces that are crippling our environment, destroying labor rights and murdering the world's children are at work here on this 32-acre territory. This all-native territory is being terrorized by a billionaire by the name of Ray Halbritter, illegal leader and CEO of the Oneida Nation of New York, Inc. Halbritter is perpetuating the corrupt corporate globalization we have vowed to destroy.
Once a chosen representative of the Oneida Nation, Halbritter usurped decision making power from the people and abandoned the traditional Iroquois political system to become a dictator. Halbritter hired a "Men's Council" (unheard of in the MATRIARICAL Iroquois society) as a group of yes-men to validate his rule. His physical power comes from an 80-person armed all white non-native police force. His financial power comes from corporate ventures such as the Turning Stone Casino and SavOn gas stations. His political power comes from federal recognition by the Bureau of Indian Affairs as the Oneida Nation's representative.
In 1993, the North American Free Trade Agreement was passed in congress by one vote, that of U.S. Representative Sherwood Boelhart. Representative Boelhart proudly and publicly admits that his NAFTA vote was traded in exchange for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to overturn an earlier recognition of Halbritter's removal from power by both the Oneida Wolf Clan Mother and the Iroquois Grand Council.
In 2001 Halbritter started his "Beautification" project, forcibly inspecting, condemning and demolishing homes on the 32-acre territory. To date, Halbritter has destroyed 13 homes and laid in industrial water and sewer pipes. He now has targeted the home of Danielle Schenandoah Patterson and her three children as the first of the remaining eight homes to be torn down. Patterson and the rest of the community are taking a stand against these crimes. They have called for all people who oppose crimes against civil, human and religious rights to join them in their struggle.
Besides the fact that Halbritter's power made NAFTA possible (and vice versa), there is a direct connection between the struggle here and the struggle against corporate globalization. This territory is the home of native people living and governing themselves in their peaceful and traditional ways. Greed has begun to pave over this land and exterminate the way of life here in order to create something bigger and "better," and to perpetuate the western world even further. What is happening here in New York State is the same thing that is happening in Palestine, in Chiapas, and in the poor neighborhoods of our own cities.
We struck a major blow against corporate globalization in Seattle. We've also shown the power of people in New York City and Washington D.C. Now we are needed to give direct support at the Oneida Territory! The more people we have here, the more attention we can bring to this situation, and the more protection we can give to our native brothers and sisters from cultural and religious genocide. Action is needed on many fronts:
1. Contact your elected officials notify them of the situation and demand their involvement on behalf of the traditional Oneida people.
2. Inform and invite as many people as possible to what is happening here. The word needs to be spread far and wide about the crimes being committed here.
3. MOST IMPORTANTLY, we need to camp out on the territory for as long as and soon as possible. Halbritter has set a September 15th deadline for the demolition of Danielle's home, but it could be at any minute! We will also need people here after the 15th, because none of the residents of the
territory are safe from Halbritter's plans.
Directions: Off New York State Thruway exit 33, make left onto Rt. 365 follow to end to Rt. 5, make right and at the intersection of Friendly's restaurant make left onto RT. 46 s, 3 1/2 miles make left at intersection of blinking light, check-in point is last home on the left side at end of road. Please bring tents, any and all recording devices, walkie- talkies, supplies, and food. At any given moment the paramilitants are going to be here to evict and demolish. Please notify all media and human, civil, religious, women's, and constitutional rights activists and organizations.
For more information:
Oneidas for Democracy
Native News Online
Oneida Action News
Contact or to send donations:
Onyota'a:ka Oneidas for Democracy, a non-profit organization
PO Box 450
Oneida, New York 13421
or send emergency housing & legal defense funding to:
Danielle Schenandoah Patterson
Box 48 Oneida Indian Territory
Oneida, New York 13421
email: denschen@yahoo.com, lwolf7665@hotmail.com, Rain143@msn.com, OneidaIroquios@aol.com, deerskinz@aol.com, lizobom@juno.com
Update: September 20, 2002
Hahlo friends.
I want to thank you for all of the support you've given so far in the fight for freedom of the Oneida people. The demolition date has past and Danielle's house still stands! We're winning, because everyday we get through -holding Halbritter off- the more people learn about what's happening, the more people come to the territory and see what's going on, the more support we gain! But there is still a lot of work to be done. You are still invited to come and join our peace camp for however long you can. Also, there are several actions started to be planned to support the Oneida nation in being free from this terrorism!
Friday, September 20, 2002: Join us this Friday at 12:00pm noon as we demonstrate in front of the governor's mansion in Albany, NY, to show support for these indigenous Oneida families who face eviction and the demolition of their homes. In doing so we hope to bring attention to their daily struggle against oppression and cultural genocide.
Diane Shenandoah a spokesperson for the Oneida will be coming to Albany to speak about the struggle, and to deliver a letter from the families at the territory to Governor Pataki.
We hope to bring attention to this struggle happening right here in New York State by demonstrating in front of Governor Pataki's home and showing him that people know the truth about Ray Halbritter and his oppression of the Oneida people. So please come out and support this important cause.
This weekend: join the peace camp! We are having a full moon ceremony on Friday and a traditional social dance on Saturday! Please come and join the sea of humanity expected to show up to show your support for the Oneida people and our power against the paramilitant Oneida nation police!
Tuesday September 26, 2002: Rally for freedom. Danielle Schenandoah Patterson's lawyers will appear in Halbritter's tribal court to inform them that Danielle does will not recognize their authority. Come rally at the Oneida Nation to defy the illegitimate tribal court and Oneida Nation police! (you should just come for the weekend and stick around for the next couple of days).
Update: September 24, 2002
CALL FOR IMMEDIATE SUPPORT!!! PLEASE JOIN OUR EVENTS ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2002!!!!! Onyota'a:ka Oneida Indian Territory all native community Join us in our Peace & Freedom Celebration
The long standing Onyota'a:ka Oneida Indian Territory community is facing terrorism, destruction of their privately owned homes and eviction from their inherited birth right land. The current "Prayer and Peace camp" established at Danielle Patterson's residence on the Oneida Indian Territory is successful, as over 200 people attended the "HUMAN CHAIN" to prevent the demolition of her home and eviction of her and her three Oneida children that was to be carried out by September 15th, 2002. Many people came from across America and Canada to pray, sing, dance and stand up against the tyrant Ray Halbritter. There have been many recorded illegal and unlawful actions carried out by an 80 member all non-native Paramilitant police force "a.k.a. Oneida Nation Police". They are heavily armed under the employment and direct orders of Halbritter. This so-called police force has performed cruel and inhumane treatment of those who oppose Halbritter's illegitimate dictatorship.
Because of the U.S. war on terrorism, U.S. citizens have been focusing in other countries. We ask you to direct your attention to our own back yard, as terrorism is flourishing in Oneida. Encouraged and allowed to continue by enforcing the racial discrimination of Native indigenous peoples. The U.S. agency of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) division supports and entitles federal recognition of Halbritter. The Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy has continuously notified the BIA that Halbritter does not hold any titleship position and is not recognized by the Iroquois people. The BIA is in direct violation of the "Two Row Wampum Treaty", agreement made between the U.S. and Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy: both parties are to never interfere in one anothers governments.
Certain New York State officials who support and deal with Halbritter are promoting the commercial gambling in New York State. Halbritter's administration has received Millions of U.S. tax payers dollars in federal funding although he maintains a multi-million dollar business. Income generated in the name of the Oneida Indian Nation of New York Inc. has no accountability to the Oneida people. The newly created Oneida Nation of NY Inc. court (Halbritter funded) is going to incarcerate Patterson for her vocal refusal of the forced entrance into her home. This incident occurred in November 2001, when 22 armed "Oneida Nation Police" performed an illegal, armed entry into her private residence while using excessive police brutality upon her. These horrific events were witnessed by her 7 year old daughter and taped on video. Genocide equals the destruction of an entire community and culture. This is the present situation on the Oneida Indian Territory, although all indigenous people are covered by International laws against genocide and violations of human rights.
Directions : Off New York State Thruway exit 33, make left onto Rt. 365 follow to end to Rt. 5, make right and at the intersection of Friendly's restaurant make left onto RT. 46 s, 3 1/2 miles make left at intersection of blinking light, check-in point is last home on the left side at end of road. Please notify all media and human, civil, religious, women's, and constitutional rights activists and organizations to be pro active. Or call Danielle Schenandoah Patterson, (315) 361-4346, or email: Oneidapower@hotmail.com.
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