March 2. 2008: Please note, there have been several updates posted in the comments since this article was initially posted. See the bottom of this post for an overview (includes petitions, media, and contact info)
Margo Tamez recently sent out the following urgent call for support, explaining that since July, her Mother and Elders of el Calaboz, Texas, have been the targets of numerous threats and harassments by the Border Patrol, Army Corps of Engineers, NSA, and the U.S. related to the proposed building of a fence on their levee.
The NSA, for one, has been specifically demanding that Elders give up their lands for the levee–telling them that they will have to travel a distance of 3 miles to go through checkpoints, to walk, recreate, and to farm and herd goats and cattle ON THEIR OWN LANDS.
Margo’s mother just informed her that since last Monday the Army Corps of Engineers, Border Patrol and National Security Agency teams have been tracking down and enclosing upon the people; telling them that they have no choice: “the wall is going on these lands whether you like it or not, and you have to sell your land to the U.S.”
Margo asks that you Please help the elders and indigenous women land title holders resist forced occupation in their own lands! As a start, you can do so by sharing this information to your friends and networks. (more to follow.)
If you would like to contact Margo for more information, you can email her at mtamez@wsu.edu
URGENT! From: Margo Tamez
Subject: URGENT! el Calaboz, Lipan Apache Land Title Holders Threatened by National Guard and Border Patrol in last 72 Hours
Hello friends,
I am informing you of recent events in my maternal community of el Calaboz, Texas, a binational land grant indigenous rancheria of Lipan Apache, Chiricahua and Basque descent.
I am foregrounding this because I have been asked to submit documentation through the NGO, the International Indigenous Treaty Council, for the CERD investigation of human rights and indigenous rights abuses by the U.S. government against my mother community.
The Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) report to be directed toward the United Nation in March 2008, which will for the first time in over a decade focus on abuses by the United States to oppressed groups.
This year, as a result of the recently approved UN Declaration of Indigenous Peoples rights, indigenous people have a specific opportunity to submit documents on behalf of their communities.
I’ll be working hard the next week to complete a draft document, with evidentiary materials, for review by an international human rights and indigenous rights attorney who recently accompanied me on an investigatory field trip to my paternal community, Redford, TX, of the Jumano Apache.
I wanted to keep you informed of this progress, and through this following letter, establish a way to communicate what I’m doing and how it impacts all my work. See the earlier letter below.
Ahi’i'e
Margo Tamez
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Subject: Emergency in el Calaboz, Lipan Apache & Basque-Indigena North American Land Title Holders!!!
Dear relatives,
I wish I was writing under better circumstances, but I must be fast and direct.
My mother and elders of El Calaboz, since July have been the targets of numerous threats and harassments by the Border Patrol, Army Corps of Engineers, NSA, and the U.S. related to the proposed building of a fence on their levee.
Since July, they have been the targets of numerous telephone calls, unexpected and uninvited visits on their lands, informing them that they will have to relinquish parts of their land grant holdings to the border fence buildup. The NSA demands that elders give up their lands to build the levee, and further, that they travel a distance of 3 miles, to go through checkpoints, to walk, recreate, and to farm and herd goats and cattle, ON THEIR OWN LANDS.
This threat against indigenous people, life ways and lands has been very very serious and stress inducing to local leaders, such as Dr. Eloisa Garcia Tamez, who has been in isolation from the larger indigenous rights community due to the invisibility of indigenous people of South Texas and Northern Tamaulipas to the larger social justice conversation regarding the border issues.
However recent events, of the last 5 days cause us to feel that we are in urgent need of immediate human rights observers in the area, deployed by all who can help as soon as possible–immediate relief.
My mother informed me, as I got back into cell range out of Redford, TX, on Monday, November 13, that Army Corps of Engineers, Border Patrol and National Security Agency teams have been going house to house, and calling on her personal office phone, her cell phone and in other venues, tracking down and enclosing upon the people and telling them that they have no other choice in this matter. They are telling elders and other vulnerable people that “the wall is going on these lands whether you like it or not, and you have to sell your land to the U.S.”
My mother, Eloisa Garcia Tamez, Lipan Apache (descendant of Mexican Chiricahua descent elder, Aniceto Garcia, who gave her traditional indigenous birth welcoming ceremony and lightning ceremony), is resisting the forced occupation with firm resistance. She has already had two major confrontations with NSA since July–one in her office at the University of Texas at Brownsville, where she is the Director of a Nursing Program and where she conducts research on diabetes among indigenous people of the MX-US binational region of South Texas and Tamaulipas.
She reports that some land owners in the rancheria area of El Calaboz, La Paloma and El Ranchito, under pressure to sell to the U.S. without prior and informed consent, have already signed over their lands, due to their ongoing state of impoverishment and exploitation in the area under colonization, corporatism, NAFTA and militarization.
This is an outrage, but more, this is a significant violation of United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous People, recently ratified and accepted by all UN nations, except the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Furthermore, it is a violation of the United Nations CERD, Committee on Elimination of Racism and Racial Discrimination.
My mother is under great stress and crisis, unknowing if the Army soldiers and the NSA agents will be forcibly demanding that she sign documents. She reports that they are calling her at all hours, seven days a week. She has firmly told them not to call her anymore, nor to call her at all hours of the night and day, nor to call on the weekends any further.She asked them to meet with her in a public space and to tell their supervisors to come.They refuse to do so. Instead, they continue to harass and intimidate.
At this time, due to the great stress the elders are currently under, communicated to me, because they are being demanded under covert tactics, to relinquish indigenous lands, I feel that I MUST call upon my relatives, friends, colleagues, especially associates in Texas within driving distance to the Rio Grande valley region, and involved in indigenous rights issues, to come forth and aid us.
Please! Please help indigenous women land title holders resisting forced occupation in their own lands! Please do not hesitate to forward this to people in your own networks in media, journalism, social and environmental justice, human rights, indigenous rights advocacy and public health watch groups!
Margo Tamez mtamez@wsu.edu
Jumano Apache West Texas-Chihuahua Lipan Apache South Texas-Tamaulipas, Apacheria Nuevo Santander Land Grant–Basque Colony)
Thanks to Brenda Norrell for posting Margo’s letter on her blog.
Petitions
1. Lipan Apache (El Calaboz) Resolution Condemning Border Wall
2. Apache Nation Border Petition to President
3. Native American and Federal lands should not be sold by force or used by the Government
Contact Information
Peter Schey, (323) 251-3223, Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, scheypeter@aol.com , pschey@centerforhumanrights.org
Margo Tamez, (509) 595-4445, Hleh Pai Dne (Lipan Apache) and Jumano Apache, hleh.pai.nde.defense@gmail.com
Arnoldo García (510) 928-0685; National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR); agarcia@nnirr.org
Updates
February 20th - Chertoff being sued at Texas border (Filings for case listed here)
February 22nd - A revealing article was written by Melissa del Bosque, titled Holes in the Wall. It would seem that, while Eloisa Tamez’ land remains targeted, the wall seems to magically skip a nearby golf course and resort. There are videos and an overview of the wall available here..
February 23 - Anti-fence conference building unity among groups across U.S
February 27 - Another Great article on the Border wall. Also Democracy Now interviewed Melissa del Bosque and Margo Tamez. Download
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This is absolutely appalling. Please do provide updates Ahni.
I have forwarded this issue around for review and action!!!! Anyone in Austin, or in Texas at all even, please contact us!!!
centexara@yahoo.com
Please keep me informed regarding developments on this issue. This land does not belong to the USA - they can not be allowed to seize it. How can I help?
I find this truly appalling. I have heard nothing of this anywhere else. I am new to this computer stuff, and to be honest, wasn’t too sure it was a good thing. But after reading this post, I can see some of its’ value. How do I help pass this information along? I am up here in Montana, but will be willing to help out in any way. Probably isn’t long before it happens along the Canadian border…….
I have not heard of these happenings anywhere except here. Does not surprise me! Please how can I help? Money or what, what ever it takes!
The federal government can and will take those lands if they feel it’s necessary in their war against illegal immigrants and terrorism. And seeing how the Lipan Band is not a federally recognized nation that means their lands are not reserve lands, or in trust so it does’nt look good for them at this time. This also means they are not recognized as a nation and the US federal government is not obligated to meet with them on this matter on a nation to nation level.
However it can and has happened to federally recognized indian nations as well.. read this landmark case in indian law.
http://tuscaroras.com/pages/history/ny_vs_tuscarora_1.html
Jeff, Pamela: please let me get back to you on that. I just emailed Margo for some suggestions on how to help.
Kim, Welcome to the internet! I definitely understand your uncertainty. I find it to be an extremely useful esource, you just gotta know where to look (and what to avoid). I think the easiest way to help spread the word would be to join some discussion groups and pass it on to them. If you’re familiar with yahoo, there’s a lot of good indigenous news groups there. (Generally speaking, it my be good to take any group you join with a grain of sand. Alot of groups and forums out there tend to get pretty viscous)
J, that is indeed the problem. Whether or not the US recognizes a Nation (as if we need their approval to exist) we must remain subordinate, as lesser Nations made of lesser people.
…gotta run. more later…
continue to use your voice! I am from michigan and will pass this on.
I don’t know what else to do, at the moment.
Hey. I spoke to Margo, and she is going to talk to the newly formed Working Group about ways people can help. Time seems to be short though. I didn’t realize the Lipan–along with all indigenous land title holders in the region were served a 30-day eviction notice at the start of December. Today, Brenda Norrell posted an article by Margo explaining the situation. The eviction notice expires on January 7th.
Not that it will do any good, but feel free to email Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security Michael.Chertoff@dhs.gov; and Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior Dirk_Kempthorne@ios.doi.gov
Or, at this point, perhaps it would be better to contact groups like Amnesty International, Oxfam - imploring them to step forward in support of indigenous Land Rights.
Jumping back to J, I think you’re right. By the looks of things they will be going forward with the plan regardless of what anyone says or does. Even if the Lipan decide to take it to court, it would probably go on for years and years - and in the end, they’d get little more than a petty cash pay out.
Fortunately, nothing is absolute in colonial society. So as long as we maintain our integrity, and continue working to bring justice, it’s ok if we’re far from our homes - or if our lives are disrupted for a time. But we must not make the mistake of settling in and making the lesser life a normal one. Instead we must keep struggling.
With all my heart, I hope this is what the Lipan Apache will do here.
This is absolutely appalling! I wonder if the oil companies discovered an oil reserve on Indian lands and are using the fear people have to justify taking the lands (yeah, I know they’re buying it - but at a dirt cheap price I’m sure). Homeland Security is a scary organization. Beware folks - the USSR had it’s KGB, and Hitler had his SS that made people conform. Bush has Homeland Security, and it’s taking people’s rights away slowly and quietly.
I know this probably wildly inappropriate, but… See why American’s need firearms? Apaches today, District Managers in Yuppieville tomorrow. The government is no longer worth obeying — and they’ll be coming for you. Stock up on ammo today!
Well, with my limited knowledge of the internet, I have done the best that I could trying to spread the message. I have a gut feeling that my words have been falling on deaf ears. I received no responses as of yet to these messages. The people that I have spoken to personally, seem to think that if this needs to be done, that’s just the way it has to be. I don’t see it that way. I believe that there is an ulterior motive at play here. Janet is right on about Homeland Security. It is a very scary thing indeed, and I don’t think that many people will realize this fact until it comes up and bites THEM on the ass.
I hope will all of my heart that this will have a good outcome, but I fear that it will not…The best of luck to all of you who are involved in this travesty of justice……
This is Appalling! I have posted it on my group and pray you will get all the help you need, I will also forward it to other groups and friends
Love and Hugs
Steph
The Native American people were here first and the U.S. GOVERNMENT needs to leave them alone. At least our Native Americans take care of their land & want to keep it natural and unmolested by foreign usage, by greedy officials.
Is there a petition we can sign? Start video taping the harassment and put it on You Tube.
If they won’t meet you in public - have your press conference in public anyway - AND get a kick-ass lawyer.
Thank you to everyone speaking up and helping to spread the word.
Rossi, I don’t think there is a petition as yet, but they do have a team of lawyers… Also, here’s a letter by Peter Schey, President of the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law
I came accross this story blindly; but, now that I’ve read what the American Hitler bush and his band of flying monkeys intend to do with your land, I am going to send this across the internet and let people know just how vile and evil this administration and their “Homeland security” (read: Fatherland gestapo) really are! This is by far the most sickning action taken by der Furher yet; and I for one believe that it is about time the world knew just who is behind the mask!
I’m sorry this is going on, but I must say that you would be better to take the offer to sell your property and get something back for it before they outright take the land from you anyway. I have seen this happen on a smaller scale and the government has an agenda with that part of the land, to build a wall to keep illegal immigrants from running in this country, and this is a national security issue. You cannot win this battle. I understand this land battle has been going on a very long time with your people and the white man but, the government owns the border of the united states of america, and they are actually trying to do some good here for the rest of the country, everyone included that lives here. If you can go at this in a more civil manner and work things out as far as where they want to move your land border to, why can’t you just work with them? They are going to end up taking it from you and all your work it will be wasted. You should sell!! Get your money for the land that they want to use, instead of dragging it out and you getting nothing but pain and agony over the whole thing. Just trying to help!
besides taking the peoples land away from them, what about the wildlife that needs to get to the water? too bad for them too? government and it’s newest evil the homeland security will continue to crap on the american people. here’s an excerpt from the declaration of independence:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
This is just awful. I’m so sorry to read of these troubles and worse if you are not a recognized tribe on an “official” reservation, then I know it does not look favorable at all. I don’t have any money to offer but I will pray for all of you and be happy to assist in writing any letters you want written and of course I have already sent out an email with this information to at least one elder I know in the PA area I live in. Blessings come from these woes. Ona!
Video is worth ten thousand words and could have beens.
Can you have some video of these actions forwarded thru YouTube and see where that goes for help and attention?
All the best must be strived for in the new year with 4+ to go.
The Indian people are a proud people,some still live the tradional ways.I am sadden to hear of this news I heard this threw twowolves of montana.but in reading other comments some say take the money and run and so on.I know personally I’ve had to struggle threw life there are those fighting to keep a job,to keep there children,a roof over there head,even for life itself.Where is the goverment in all this {what wondering where they can stick it to us next} or where they are going to build another over size whitehouse how many bathrooms!!lol.goverment is just that! some good but it is all the same.there are two tribes here on this planet Goverment and Us, This WALL is for who? {SHANNEE}to keep illegals out of this country!!! lets see there is the rio grand/Boreder patrol/and the goverment/Hello!!! AND you think a wall is going to stop immigrants and terrorist from entering here {what until an offical OR non offical get’s a pay off}.This is a very difficult desicion for your people iether way. stand and fight it will take many many voices and the right ears to listen……BUT this is still not a guarantee there is alot at stake.where ever the winds may take you I hope it is not with an empty ear like {shannee} said it is goverment.hoping all go’s well please keep us informed.
I don’t want to sound crude here but where was everyne {the indian people who cared about their borders} during the last couple of years when everone was protesting against mexican entering this country illegally? Did you not hear that people {american citizens} were calling out for a block to this end? Why did these indiginous people wait until it was practically too late,or when you had eviction notices in hand to cry out for help? This should have been foreseen. There are Bills already signed to go ahead with this. The ball is already rolling. My heart goes out to you all. In government’s defense, you may view it as an evil because of history. But the fact is that they are here and ultimately have rule over this land. Or else there would be total chaos. I pray that your people find even ground for acceptable terms in this ordeal. It is not right that you all have been bullied around for so long. Maybe it is time for more rigid organization for your people and foresight for your children so this will not continue to happen. I’m curious as to what your standpoint is on the mexican immigration. Do you agree that it is ok for them to live here without paying taxes and working here for minimal pay? There are systems set up for them to immigrate here with the necessary paperwork to live and work here legally. They have not been following the necessary protocol and this is where it has lead to. I urge you all to step back and try and take a look at the bigger picture here. There is a way for everyone to be satisfied and happy. I will never give up that hope.
Well it seems that it is never enough….Possession is a never ending war…….I am very sick of the way the Government runs over People………..As long as we have President’s that OWN HUMAN SKULLs. Like Geronimo………you can do anything you want……After all ADOLF HITLER said he got his Ideas of Concentration Camps from the American Indian Reservation systems……………Iam Native and white………And i Say it all belongs to the People who care about the land…..The Indigenous People……Did you know that the Army stole land from the Natives and passed it out to the Settlers like candy during the Texas Indian Removel act……Yeh people dont think about the Real Texas not long ago…….Anyway Get the message………….Untill the WHITE HOUSE is Painted all colors its all ways going to be the Nazi Turkeys that run things………………Karma anyone
You are right, there is a way for everyone to be satisfied and happy, but for that to happen it depends on the US stopping it’s myopic and rigid approach. In the least, it should seek options that don’t undermine and exploit the Lipan (or anyone else).
About America ruling the land, they may have the power and numbers to maintain the jurisdiction, but that does not make it moral, legal, or acceptable. To put everything in context, imagine that one day, some stranger came to your home and then forced you and your family to a small corner of your backyard–telling you that he gives you the right to live in this small spot, while he and his family enjoy your land and property. Generation after generation you (ie your descendants) are trapped in that small corner, suffocating and dying. Then one day he returns, telling you he will now take more of what little you have left.
The Lipan, like most indigenous people on this continent have accepted history for what it is, and do not look at what’s happening now as if it’s isolated from that. The simple fact is the genocide of the past is an ongoing process, though it’s one carried out very differently from how it once was.
…I cannot speak for Lipan personally, but being well aware of how things go, I imagine they waited so long to act because they were afraid, not organized, pretty small in number, and without any substantial outside support.
As far as immigration goes, again I can’t speak for the Lipan, but I am well aware that it has become impossible for Millions of people in Mexico to survive. No matter what they do, ends simply cannot be met. They are faced with two choices: watch their children, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters starve to death; or, do everything they can to make money to live. Mexico does not offer it’s people a reasonable means to make the latter happen.
Let’s jump back to the example I mentioned above. Imagine you and your family, still trapped in the back yard, got a peek inside your house one day. You see piles and piles of food, just sitting there. Look how they waste it! Look how they take it for granted. If you were sitting there starving with your family, would you not do everything in your power to get a small share of what they have in excess? You want to live don’t you?
Yes, there are hordes and hordes of people coming from Mexico (incidentally, from Columbia, Guatemala, Ecuador and elsewhere). It is a massive problem, but putting up a big fence will not solve it. All it will do is force the starving and desperate many to work that much harder, and take that many more risks. Remember, it’s not like the people want to leave their families and repeatedly risk their lives to work mediocre jobs in America. They don’t want that, but what choice do they have?
Why doesn’t America help to solve the problem? The best (and most asinine) solution the State of Mexico can come up with is to legalize the personal possession of marijuana and hard drugs like heroine, but that’s more for tourists than the Mexican People.
Beyond this, there’s not much more I can think to say, but I do know that immigration is not THE problem. The immigration issue is a direct result of Mexico as a state not being able to function or serve its people, and it is a problem engendered by imperial policy like NAFTA.
ps for those following the issue, Brenda Norell has a small update on her website. See
Indigenous Alliance supports Lipan Apache at Texas border
There has also been an environmental movement to stop the fence because it would interfere with an endangered species (American Jaguars), but that has pretty much been run over.
For those who say that it is the illegal immigrants fault, that if they had just filled in the paperwork it would be just fine, you should look at the application forms for green cards and work visas, and such. To qualify for a work permit, you have to already have an employer lined up, the job has to be one in which there aren’t any Americans around to do the job, the job has to be a non-agricultural one, the applications cost money, there are education requirements, etc. The reason that they come here is because they can’t get a lot of these things in there country. And the jobs that they are able to get here, the majority being low wage jobs, aren’t acceptable in the permit process. And there are caps on how many people can come here under the various permits.
My aunt came over on a student visa from Korea, and she had to pay $10,000 per year in addition to the various fees. She’s back in Korea now awaiting the naturalization to come through, and can’t get a job there because the credits don’t really transfer.
You can say that this doesn’t affect you, or that the benefits outweigh the costs, but you wouldn’t be saying that if you were in this situation. And you might be the next target of the government violating your rights. The ends don’t justify the means. If this fence goes up, and we experience the same problems, or if the problems get worse, the government will just find something else to blame. It is our duty as Americans to protest any and all violations of human rights. The more that individual rights get trampled, the easier it is to violate the rights of others.
The boarder wall is coming, there is no stopping it as long as illegals are crossing our border undercutting hourly wages and not reporting/paying taxes upon there earnings. Employer’s whom knowingly use undocumented workings or whom don’t screen to assure that they are not employing said workers are at the root of why the boarder wall is coming and why these lands are being reclaimed by the government.
Eminent domain will play a large key in this if the holders of the land refuse to hand over the land, As of right now the U.S Government is offering to pay a fee for the land in which the wall will sit upon. If a land holder dose not give up the land willingly then Eminent domain will kick in and the land holder will be out any money that might have been able to receive. Cooler minds must understand that the wall is there to protect the American citizenship, cut down the flow of harmful illegal drugs into this county and into the hand’s of children and thus creating more crime and costing hard working tax payers more money on a criminal justice system that is already at it’s braking point.
Some will say that the illegals fill jobs that American’s them selfs won’t take, Please note that being able to support a family of four on what most company’s pay illegal worker’s would be like trying to make one fish feed all roman empire
for a day, Most illegals settle for much lower wages as it’s simpler for company’s as of right now to do so under the table and just move things around on the books and thus don’t pay taxes which puts more strain upon those whom do report there earnings and do pay taxes,
For those undocumented illegals whom don’t even work or claim not to work and thus mooch off the well-fair system are even more of a drain on the economy these days, People whom clean your house you pay them in cash and thus have no payroll ability to rate what they need to pay in taxes get more off the well-fair system then those whom have been paying for it each month, The Wall/fence will help curve these numbers and along with laws against employers whom knowingly use illegals and or don’t actively combat and deter such acts of employment should be fined a day’s take and have there right to operate for a day revoked. upon repeat violations harsher fines such as revoking of business licence for a period of six-months to a year or life for the owner of said business depending on the number of repeat violations.
It is as simple as this, If there is no active way of keeping out the things that damage our communities such as drugs,guns or people working off the books and thus cheating the system and thus making it harder for those whom really need them, I say don’t come crying to us when your x-teen year old daughter gets knocked up because she got mixed up with illegal drugs and has no way of supporting her self because the “baby daddy” whom is four times her age ran back across the boarder and your left fronting the bill.
*notice*
This is just the point of view of one person. It is not intended to incite or inflame anyone but just to state a few hard numbers for the reason things like this are happening.
I think I might have found something in the “Original” Constitution that should help Native Americans (maybe federal parks/lands also?)!!! I was trying to write a petition to help but couldn’t find anything to “back it up” This just might do it IF worded correctly??
1. The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law and equity arising under the constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority; to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls; to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to which the United States shall be a party; to controversies between two or more States; between a State and citizens of another State, between citizens of different States, between citizens of the same State claiming lands under grants of different States, and between a State, or the citizens thereof, and foreign States, citizens, or subjects.
SECTION 4.
1. The United States shall guaranty to every State in this Union a republican form of Government, and shall protect each of them against invasion; and, on application of the Legislature, or of the Executive, (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic violence.
2. This constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any thing in the constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.
3. The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support this constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.
Anybody know of any treaties by name or any other laws or have any ideas??
Two Petitions;
Save Native American and Federal Lands
Help-Save-Native-American-and-Federal-lands
Just a quick update. It would seem that Homeland Security has filed a lawsuit against Eloisa Garcia Tamez, Lipan Apache, on Tuesday, Jan. 29, “to seize her land for the border wall in Texas. Tamez has been leading the resistance to the border wall in Apache communities. Tamez said she only has three acres, but it is all she has.
“All across South Texas, mayors and legislators have united to fight the border wall. Since towns on both sides of the border rely on their neighbors’ shopping, eating in restaurants and other commerce, business owners in South Texas say the already financially-strapped communities will suffer economically.”
Read the full story here.
….I’ll be back to comment on RGVLandOwner’s words.
PS, thanks Michael for the petitions!
According to the information provided here, my understanding is that part of the problem is that neither the Tribe nor the Lands in question are currently recognized, by other Tribes or by the BLM as being legitimate.
I’m not saying that they are not legitimate at all, but that their current standing is not recognized, in an official manner that MIGHT hold some small chance of giving them a voice and the same rights as most typical established Reservations would have and the backing from other recognized and established Tribes.
The whole thing is just sick, sad and sorry as far as I am concerned. I cannot help but wonder if they were considered to be an established Reservation…would it help?
Somehow, I have my doubts; at least under our current administration.
hey Laura. I’m not sure if other Nations recognize the Lipan Apache, but you’re right, they’re not ‘officially recognized’ by the American State. I don’t think this is discouraging though, I mean there are some so-called tribes that are recognized but ‘the Nation’ only has a population of four people, all of whom are professionals who have their sights set on building a Casino–then there are others with vast numbers who can’t get recognized, likely because someone somewhere has a vested interest in the land the Nation would claim.
Beyond that, I agree. Some Nations should stand up in support of the Lipan.
Ok, RGVLandOwner.Thanks you for sharing your thoughts; I especially appreciate the disclaimer you through in at the bottom
This issue tends to bring the venom out of some people, doesn’t it?
I see the truth in your words. The vast number of immigrants is surely having an impact on the American state, but it’s important for us to acknowledge that this is not a clear cut problem with a clear cut solution. If we limit the issue to being the strict act of entering the US without going through the standard immigration process, then the situation seems obvious enough; or atleast, we assume the solution to be: fortify the border to prevent access.
Is this really going to solve the problem? Imagine for a moment that you were a mother of 5, that all your children are literally starving to death and that the only viable way you have to get money to feed your children is to get to the US. Is a border wall going to stop you from getting what your children need? At best, the border will lessen the number of immigrants, but it won’t stop them. Meanwhile, the social and economic crisis in Mexico continues to get worse–primarily because of America’s Mexico policy.
If we really want to talk about solutions, we have to look at the whole problem. There are lots of people far more educated than me who could discuss this at length, but I mentioned some of it in one of my previous comments. DandimLee adds another good point. It’s not fair to blame the people who are putting their lives at risk to get into the US because of the way America and Mexico are conducting themselves. It’s like blaming a woman for going out one night and getting beaten up by a group of men. It’s easier to blame the woman, but doing so is not a solution in any sense because the men are completely free to do it again.
Politically speaking, this is exactly how this situation is being dealt with, and I for one think America’s approach is poorly-conceived and completely inadequate. It’s like putting a band-aid on a broken arm.
That’s about all I can think to say right now, but I’d also like to add in something about the term “illegal immigrant.” I mean no disrespect and I’m not looking for a fight, but I don’t think it’s the least bit fair to reduce these determined Mothers, fathers, and children to such a derogatory phrase unless we’re willing to accept that America was founded by illegal immigrants. Having European blood in me, I don’t exempt my European ancestors from that.
The fact is, when Spain and Portugal (then the English, French, Dutch, and Russians) came to this land they did so without the consent of the millions of people that were living here.
Not only that, but they did so under the auspices that this land was uninhabited. You see when Columbus came here he found no Christians. Back then, one had to be Christian in order to qualify as a human. Since there were no Christians (therefor no humans) the Church declared this land “Terra Nullius” and opened the gates for the historically unprecedented immigration occupation that layed the basis on which Canada, America, Mexico, and all other states on this land were founded.
You seem like a reasonable person RGVLandOwner, that’s why I share this with you. Food for thought.
Take care, A.
Greetings. I believe I neglected to previously mention that there is currently a legal case regarding the land grab, RE: Eloisa Garcia Tamez vs. Michael Chertoff/U.S. DHS.
Margo Tamez just sent me the latest filings for the case. Please note that these are all legal documents for interested readers.
Defendants’ emergency application to TEMPORARILY stay proceedings pending outcome of Preliminary Injunction (doc)
Motion for Preliminary Injunction GRANTED (doc)
Defendant Eloisa g. Tamez’s ANSWER to complaint in condemnation (doc)
Untited States REPLY to Defendant Eloisa G. Tamez’ (pdf)
Oh, and there’s a very interesting article too. It’s aptly titled: Holes in the wall.
"Homeland Security won’t say why the border wall is bypassing the wealthy and politically connected."
To destroy a "weed", you must get to the root and remove or kill it. The "weed", the poor starving people trying to find a new life, we cannot blame them because most of us would do the same thing under the same circumstances, the "root", is the Mexican Government. They have the power to correct the situation or, to make it worse. The problem is obvious, the "cure", I am not sure of………….
i feel for the immigrants and their need to survive but this problem has to do with population control. when i use to go a border town there was this 12 yr old boy who would help me carry my purchases around town. he had 10brothers and sisters to support. his face was aged for a twelve yr old boy and it saddened me that he was not in school with other children and living a better life. but as long as the catholic church continues to ram their stupid beliefs of no birth control the people will not be able to improve their lives for the better. when i see commercials about donating money to agencies i wonder if any of it goes for teaching birth control. if the parents had smaller families they probably wouldnt get so desperate. they wouldnt have to go through the dangers to get to this country and people and wildlife on this side wouldnt have to suffer the consequences. its easier to prevent having too many babies than having to care for too many babies. but since the catholic church continues to run the show…….
There has been a very interesting development…..
Chertoff says that fence for border isn’t set in stone
A "virtual fence" of cameras, sensors and surveillance towers will replace controversial physical barriers to secure the Southwest border in portions of Texas and Arizona, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Friday.
The Homeland Security Department signed off on 28 miles of virtual fence near Tucson just one week after Texas and Arizona landowners complained to Congress that federal agencies have been heavy-handed with plans to build 670 miles of conventional fencing and vehicle barriers.
Aswell, to compliment the "holes in the wall" article I mentioned a couple days ago, here’s a map of the wall, and a couple videos too…Leave the Native Americans alone!!!!! You in government never look their way unless you want something. Over past years you continually erode anything the Native Americans have had and you contiually want to steal from the people that were here first . All of you that want to take Native Americans land should be put out of office. I’m sure you can find some wway to get what you want done without bothering the Native Americans. You ignore them unless you are looking to take something else away from them. KNOCK IT OFF, NOW !!!!!!!!
Please post the appropriate contact information in the actual blog post.
Thanks
yes video would help. today, documents mean little. video means everything. any kind of video, of the NSA knocking on doors of their vehicles. even a camcorder running and recording the voice of what they say. then someone posts it online and the "viral video or newly popular video is in motion. good luck and god bless and let’s all hope we make it until BushCo is out of office.
What do the indian nations do with the Billions your casinos make every year? And what do they do with the checks the US government gives them.
Please, set up a petition for us to sign!
Maybe you can work out something with the government, that they can federally recognize you as a tribe in exchange for purchasing that slice of land at market value without further resistance? It will be a win win, in that case.
Hey. Ok, contact information and a couple new petitions have been added to the bottom of the post, along with a quick overview of recent news and media. Please click here to see it all.
oops, I messed up the above link, but it’s fixed now.
Eminent domain of any kind on anbody is illegal in my opinion, that amendment or law or what ever it was should have NEVER been passed. The bill of rights clearly states that private property may in no way be taken UNLESS it benefits the WHOLE government and in such cases, just compensation SHALL be made. This eminent domain thing DOES NOT BENEFIT THE WHOLE GOVERNMENT and is ILLEGAL PER THEE BILL OF RIGHTS!! That is how this must be approached I believe……for the 1st Peoples and all peopl.e……
Here’s a bit of good news…
"Friday, U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen issued a stinging 32-page Memorandum Opinion and Order, ruling that "Dr. Tamez correctly asserts that negotiations are a prerequisite to the exercise of eminent domain," and that DHS had presented "insufficient evidence as to whether there has been bona fide efforts to negotiate."
read the full story here; and here’s another if anyone’s interested.
I am Native American and I work for NSA - Let me dig up some info.
ahni’s analogy of the houseguests that never left is close to the mark. how would you feel if you were exiled to the backyard, on the worst soil, in shelter that should be condemned; and being told that you have to give more.
then the houseguests start appropriating everything of value in the neighborhood. they start spreading lies and gossip to take more and use 2nd grade logic to argue that everything done is fair. and when your impoverished neighbors get hungry and desperate enough to try “jumping the fence” the houseguests sit behind kryptonite bars while they order you to take care of the problem they created, and quietly (or brazenly) take more of your land for themselves.
would that be ok?
arguing that if you don’t sell now you’ll lose your land to eminent domain only gives more power to the powerful. all the benefits that trickle down to others is just that, a trickle. one point that addresses this approach is the idea that once the powerful have finished obliterating these people’s rights, what’s to stop them from doing the same to yours? you sit silent while good people are hurting, “the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing”.
and the defeatist position of bowing to the inevitable is so lacking in dignity and character that i could never support such a sad position.