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Hundreds to Join in Second ‘Longest Walk’ from Alcatraz to D.C.

by Longest Walk 2 Coordinator
Hundreds to Join in Second ‘Longest Walk’ from Alcatraz to D.C.
Protection of Mother Earth & Native American Cultural Survival

See the Longest Walk Calendar of Events Posted Below
640_9jpglongestwalk2poster.jpg
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- On February 11, 2008, more than two hundred participants of the Longest Walk 2 will embark on a five-month journey on foot from San Francisco, arriving in Washington, D.C. on July 11, 2008.
Native American Tribal leaders, religious groups, environmentalists, teachers, students, and people from throughout the world are joining the walk with its peaceful and spiritual call to action to protect Mother Earth and defend Human Rights.

Our mission is to raise awareness about the planetary crisis by walking to reconnect with the land, increase respect for cultural diversity, stimulate dialogue about connections between nature and culture, and protect sacred lands and diverse spiritual practices.”

2008 marks the 30th anniversary of the original Longest Walk of 1978 that resulted in historic changes for Native America.

"In 1978, our communities faced many hardships such as non-existing religious rights and criminalization of our people who fought for cultural survival. This is why the Longest Walk was necessary.” states Jimbo Simmons of the International Indian Treaty Council. “As Indigenous Peoples in the United States our environment and our cultural survival are directly correlated and are still imperiled today. This is why we must walk once again.”

Thousands converged on the Nations Capitol in 1978 to join efforts that defeated 11 pieces of legislation in Congress that would have abrogated Native American Treaties.
In addition to this success, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) of 1978 was also passed.

Veterans of the original walk and younger generations alike have been clear that the 2008 Longest Walk is more than a commemoration.

Open to people of all nations and cultures, the Longest Walk 2 is being organized by original walkers as well as the next generation of Native American activists.
Walkers will be documenting issues impacting the communities they visit.

The Longest Walk 2 will take two routes. The Northern route will travel the original route of 1978 across 11 states and 3,600 miles. The Southern route will follow the 2006 Sacred Run route across 13 states and 4,400 miles. Both routes will visit Sacred Sites along the way and bring awareness for protection and preservation of our Mother Earth. The Southern route will be launching a “Clean Up Mother Earth Campaign” where Longest Walk participants will work together to clean up our country’s highways and roads by collecting debris found along the Longest Walk route.

American Indian Movement Co-founder Dennis J. Banks states, “From Alcatraz Island to Washington, D.C., through the elements of the seasons, we shall walk; nothing shall deter us from completing our mission: All Life is Sacred, Protect Mother Earth.”

###

BAY AREA

February 8, 2008: Friday
Welcoming Dinner at Intertribal Friendship House
Community Potluck -- Please bring a dish to share.
Presentations and slide shows of the 1978 Longest Walk.
In person registration for walk will open tonight.
6:00 -9:00 PM

Intertribal Friendship House
523 International Blvd
Oakland, CA 94606
510.836.1955
http://www.myspace.com/urbanreservation

February 9, 2008: Saturday
Longest Walk Kickoff Concert (5:00PM)

Star Nayea with special guests Andy Billy (KK Billy) and Chuck Billy of Testament, 7th Generation Rise, Blackhorse Blues Band, Jeremy Goodfeather and others TBA

Eastside Arts Alliance
2277 International Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94606
http://www.eastsideartsalliance.com/
Admission Fee: $25-40 sliding scale

February 10, 2008: Sunday
Longest Walk Benefit Show 6:30 PM
w/ One Struggle, Culture of Rage, Antithesis and others TBA

La Pena Cultural Center
3105 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705
http://www.lapena.org/
$15-25 sliding scale


February 11, 2008: Monday
Sunrise Gathering 4:30 AM
Alcatraz Island
Ferry Fee: $14
http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/website/sunrise-gathering.aspx


Rallying Points:
8:00 AM
Breakfast/ Load up Gear
Intertribal Friendship House
523 International Blvd
Oakland, CA 94606
510.836.1955
http://www.myspace.com/urbanreservation


11:00 AM
Memorial Oak Grove
Peidmont Avenue and Memorial Stadium

11:30 AM
March to Hearst Museum and Sproul Plaza

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Rally Sproul Plaza
University of California Berkeley
Bancroft Way & Telegraph Ave.

1:30 PM
Glen Cove Burial Site
Vallejo, CA

3:00 PM Pena Adobe

6pm DQ University
Arrival of Alcatraz caravan ($2 per vehicle)
6:30pm Community Dinner and Potluck Feast
Orientation and Speakers
9pm movie night Reel Indians

Tuesday February 12th

Northern Route
8 AM Caravan of Northern Route to Sacramento Capitol
9 AM Arrive at State Capitol – Set up
10AM Press Conference at State Capitol
12PM Northern Route Walkers Leave State Capitol
1 PM Break Down at Capitol

Southern Route

6:00 am – 6:30 am: Shuttle Service to Rumsey Indian Rancheria
6:30 am – 7:30 am: Breakfast hosted by Rumsey Indian Rancheria
7:30 am – 8:30 am: Opening Ceremony
8:30 am – 9:00 am: Call to Action: Press Conference
9:00 am – 9:30 am: Walk Procession Begins from Rumsey to Cache Creek
9:30 am – 10:30 am: Arrive Cache Creek
10:30 am: Eagle staff runners depart for Rio Vista
10:30 am: Shuttle Service from Cache Creek to DQU
11:00 am: Arrive DQU
11:00 am: Committees meeting
12:00 pm: Lunch – Felipe's Chuckwagon
1:00 pm: Clean up DQU
4:00 pm: Depart DQU
5:00 pm: Arrive Rio Vista
5:30 pm: End of Day Circle
6:00 pm: Dinner – Felipe's Chuckwagon
7:00 pm: Cultural Exchange – singing, dancing, story-telling
8:00 pm: Committee Meetings –
Road Team
First Aid Team
Advance Team
Film Team
Clean Up Team
Flag Team
Kitchen Crew
Vehicle Coordinators

DQ UNIVERSITY


February 4th to February 8th

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS:

DQU grounds preparation
Volunteer leaders training

Supplies Needed:
Food
Propane
Firewood, Sweat Rocks, Canvas Covers for Sweat
Waste Management- trash haul off
Monetary donations to cover costs of 7 Sani-Can Porta-Pottys for 4 days
Cleaning Supplies- rags, buckets, bleach, mopheads

Additional Info: Chris 530-554-8377, Meño 408-914-1079 Jimbo 415-568-0826


Saturday February 9th

7am Leave to Clear Lake to join Bloody Island 100 mile run
8am safety meeting, briefing of volunteer committees
10am Brunch
Noon Orientation about the longest walk and what expected of the event participators
5pm Expecting Bloody Island Runners to Arrive at DQU

Upon arrival rally with speakers
6pm Dinner
7pm Movie Presentation Exterminate Them

Sunday February 10th

8am safety meeting, briefing of committees
1 pm Traditional Social Gathering
5pm Dinner
6:30 PM Evening Concert
Evening sweat at ceremonial grounds facilitated by Darrell Standing Elk

Monday February 11th

3am Caravan Leave towards Alcatraz Sunrise Gathering
8am safety meeting, briefing of committees
6pm Arrival of Alcatraz caravan ($2 per vehicle)
6:30pm Community Dinner and Potluck Feast
Orientation and Speakers
9pm movie night Reel Indians

Tuesday February 12th

Northern Route
8 AM Caravan of Northern Route to Sacramento Capitol
9 AM Arrive at State Capitol – Set up
10AM Press Conference at State Capitol
12PM Northern Route Walkers Leave State Capitol
1 PM Break Down at Capitol

Southern Route

6:00 am – 6:30 am: Shuttle Service to Rumsey Indian Rancheria
6:30 am – 7:30 am: Breakfast hosted by Rumsey Indian Rancheria
7:30 am – 8:30 am: Opening Ceremony
8:30 am – 9:00 am: Call to Action: Press Conference
9:00 am – 9:30 am: Walk Procession Begins from Rumsey to Cache Creek
9:30 am – 10:30 am: Arrive Cache Creek
10:30 am: Eagle staff runners depart for Rio Vista
10:30 am: Shuttle Service from Cache Creek to DQU
11:00 am: Arrive DQU
11:00 am: Committees meeting
12:00 pm: Lunch – Felipe's Chuckwagon
1:00 pm: Clean up DQU
4:00 pm: Depart DQU
5:00 pm: Arrive Rio Vista
5:30 pm: End of Day Circle
6:00 pm: Dinner – Felipe's Chuckwagon
7:00 pm: Cultural Exchange – singing, dancing, story-telling
8:00 pm: Committee Meetings –
Road Team
First Aid Team
Advance Team
Film Team
Clean Up Team
Flag Team
Kitchen Crew
Vehicle Coordinators

§Longest Walk 2008 Logo
by Longest Walk 2 Coordinator
lw_round.gif
Longest Walk 1978 to 2008
SF - DC
§Longest Walk Poster
by Longest Walk 2 Coordinator
640_lw2_poster.jpg
"For some of us, the longest walk never ended."
More than a commemoration. This is a movement.
§THE LONGEST WALK 2 CALLS FOR YOUR SUPPORT AS WE EMBARK ON A SPIRITUAL WALK 4 SURVIVAL
by Longest Walk 2 Coordinator
THE LONGEST WALK 2 CALLS FOR YOUR SUPPORT AS WE
EMBARK ON A SPIRITUAL WALK FOR SURVIVAL FROM ALCATRAZ TO D.C.

We take this opportunity to invite you to be part of an historic event, The Longest Walk 2008. On February 11, 2008, Longest Walk 2 participants will embark on a five-month journey taking two routes 8,000 miles across Turtle Island to Washington, D.C. arriving on July 11, 2008. In commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the historic Longest Walk of 1978 that resulted in historic changes for Native America, hundreds of communities are participating in the Longest Walk of 2008 to raise awareness about issues impacting our world environment, to protect Sacred Sites and to clean up Mother Earth. Longest Walk 2 is part of many communities ongoing commitment to protect sacred sites, cultural preservation, and to create awareness about the environment. Both routes will visit Sacred Sites across the Nation and promote educational awareness for Sacred Sites protection and preservation. We are walking to promote positive change in our world. The Longest Walk 2 invites veteran walkers that participated in the 1978 Longest Walk and we reach out the new generations of the future to join us. Our message is: ALL LIFE IS SACRED.

Support The Longest Walk in its fundraising and organizing efforts! Your involvement can include the following support efforts:

Assist with Outreach within your organization and community. Volunteer to organize a welcoming as The Longest Walk arrives within your community.

Assist in gathering supplies: We need many items along the routes such as Socks, Shoes, Warm Coats and Rain Jackets, Tents, Sleeping Bags, etc. Access to Food Banks along the route will be an invaluable resource. A full wish list can be found at http://www.longestwalk.org.

We need a vehicle: We are searching for the use of a vehicle preferably for the entire walk but any portion of the walk will be helpful. A large van or bus is ideal to transport people and store supplies.

Provide local housing: We are asking folks to open their homes, community centers, or assist in organizing overnight housing. If you can provide housing within the Bay Area, or along the Northern or Southern routes, please email lw08housing [at] gmail.com

We need funds: This is a grassroots based effort supported by individual donations. There are a number of benefit shows that will be held in the coming weeks to raise funds (please see the website for more details). Gas cards and gift certificates are also accepted.

If you, your group or organization would like to sign on as a supporter of our efforts, please fill out a sponsor registration form on the registration page of http://www.longestwalk.org . With your permission, we will publish your organization/group/individual name on our website. If you would like for your donation to go towards a specific route, supplies or efforts, please make sure and specify your requests on the sponsorship form. We thank you for any and all help that you are willing to give to this historic occasion.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! http://www.longestwalk.org
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