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Indybay Feature

Convergence, Occupations, Reclaiming, Sacred Sites Peacewalk for a Nuclear Free World

by Carol Brouillet
A glimpse at pagans, Buddhists, Native Americans, the Occupiers, and the intersection of movements taking place in Oakland on November 2, 2011.
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At the 32nd Annual Spiral Dance, a tent was erected in the center of Kezar Pavillion sporting an “Occupy the Island of Apples” sign… A thousand people gathered to dance the SpiraL Dance, a benefit for Reclaiming, the pagan entity with an activist streak that harbours Starhawk, and a cadre of activists that offer non-violent direct action training, instruction in consensus facilitation, and conduct public rituals designed to clarify, amplify and further the intentions of activists engaged in vital social change work to protect life, planet and people against war, empire, the scourge of corporate entities. The altars that encircled the sacred space raised issues and eyebrows. Down to Earth, with grace, humility and humor, Starhawk asked the gathering whether it was time to invite the “old Gods,” creators of chaos, who bring down structures and evoke new forms, to join us. They were welcomed enthusiastically.

Two of the altars were for the people of Japan, struck this year by earthquake, tsunami and the nuclear disaster at Fukushima. Fukushima, the Occupation of Wall Street, the brutal police attack upon the Occupation in Oakland, have evoked global outrage, and support for the call for a general strike in Oakland on November 2nd. The Sacred Sites Peacewalk for a Nuclear Free World, which began at Diablo Canyon in San Luis Obispo on October 22nd and concludes in Sogorea Te in Vallejo on November 6th will be detouring into Oakland tomorrow in solidarity with the occupation. The Pagans are preparing to lead a Spiral Dance before the noon General Assembly near the occupation.

What do pagans, Buddhist monks, Native Americans, anti-nuclear activists have in common? They share a reverence for the Earth, truth, a passion to heal and renew life.

I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to spend some time with these different groups and hardly know which hat (or shirt) to wear when I go to Oakland tomorrow. It is a challenge to want to be in multiple places at the same time, and even more challenging to know which issue to champion when there is such a tremendous convergence of issues and people, all urgent, important, and connected. This morning, I awoke to the sounds of drums and prayers, and had the pleasure of walking in solidarity with the Sacred Sites Peacewalk. I prefer walking and dancing to meetings, but I understand the need for action, as well as planning, and the thankless task of journalism to convey important information to the community.

I am not sure how long the occupations will be around or whether they will survive, evolve, flourish in new forms (See- Occupy to Self Manage- for some great insights and advice to the Occupy Movement). I do know that the peacewalk is nearing its end, and it is a rare opportunity to walk with them and hear their stories. The Peacewalk will have evening programs in Oakland on Wednesday and Thursday nights, in Berkeley with Joanna Macy at BFUU on Friday night, in Richmond on Saturday night, and a big celebration with supporters on Sunday, November 6th at Glen Cove Park. See details at their website. I have interviewed two of the walks organizers, and plan another radio show on the Peacewalk this Thursday from 2-3 pm on Community Currency on the Progressive Radio network.

§Forgiving Altar at 2011 Spiral Dance
by Carol Brouillet
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§November 1, 2011 Sacred Sites Peacewalk
by Carol Brouillet
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by Carol Brouillet
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by Carol Brouillet
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by Carol Brouillet
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§Altar for Oakland Artist Janette MacKinlay
by Carol Brouillet
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Oakland Artist Janette MacKinlay, author of Fortunate- A Personal Diary of 9/11 chose to heal herself through art, particularly through Ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arrangements. Traumatized by 9/11, she sought to understand what had happened to her and her country. She underwent a profound personal transformation and became an advocate for 9/11 truth and 9/11 accountability, speaking out, and organizing events across the country. She was sure that her brain cancer was caused by her exposure to the toxic dust which filled her apartment on September 11th 2001. Part of the "Forgiving Altar" was devoted to her memory.
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