MOTHERS' DAY CELEBRATED

Around 700 people gathered at the Nevada Test Site from May 7-10 to celebrate Mother’s Day and demand an end to the radioactive poisoning of Mother Earth.  Following a rousing rally of women from around the world singing and speaking at the Test Site gates on Mother’s Day, 198 people entered the site.  Ian Zabarte, of the Western Shoshone National Council, put Test Site officials on notice that they were trespassing on Shoshone lands and were in criminal violation of international law.
The arrestees were detained and released on site. They are unlikely to face prosecution, as the U.S. government has avoided the issue of the treaty with the Sho-shone for some time.  Some activists are considering steps to charge federal and county officials with kidnapping and false arrest.  One person was charged with resisting arrest, and was transported to Beatty for arraignment.

Between Sunrise Ceremonies and evening Native Drum circles on Friday and Saturday, participants attended workshops, discussion groups and nonviolence trainings.  The new Youth Program was thoroughly enjoyed, with activities for families, small children and youth.  Mother’s Day began at dawn with sweatlodges for women, a Eucharist Service offered by 35 members of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship, and a Grandmothers and Crones Ceremony.  Following a brunch served by the men in camp, a march was led by Corbin Harney, Western Shoshone Spiritual Leader, members of the Western Shoshone National Council (WSNC), and other Native American community leaders.  Hundreds of grandmothers, children and families and supporters of all ages followed the eagle staffs and WSNC flag to the Test Site gates.

On Monday, May 10, 175 activists participated in a Western Shoshone occupation of the Test Site by entering the site, erecting a teepee and joining in a Sunrise Cere-mony led by Corbin Harney.  Lands for the Nevada Test Site were seized from the Shoshone in 1948, forcibly relocating 100 families from lands guaranteed under the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley.  This was only the second time since 1947 that the Shoshone were able to have morning prayer on this portion of the 1250 square mile site.

Another teepee was set up over five miles inside the Test Site perimeter, high on a ridgetop overlooking Mercury, Nevada, where Sunrise Ceremony was also celebrated by tired but inspired activists.  A third teepee was erected well inside the front entrance, visible to the thousands of arriving workers at dawn.  Around one hundred people were at the front gate greeting workers and entertaining the test site guards.

For more information, contact Healing Global Wounds, P.O. Box 420, Tecopa, CA 92389-0420, phone (760)852-4175, fax (760)852-4151, email hgw@scruznet.com