Hey There Steemit!
This is my first post, not exactly sure how this all works, that aside, i am glad to be here!
I went to Standing Rock, as many did, i was on the ground for about five months, until the fascists came on behalf of the oil industry and seized our camp.
We were always peaceful, this is an essential part of our movement, because the moment we use violence to attain our goals, the federal government and their coprorate johns will be justified in launching their violent attacks on us.
Look at the videos, look at the pictures, you will not be able to find any of the water protectors with weapons, we never used violence, we used our prayer, and our words of peace to stand up against a multinational corporation, we used nonviolence and direct action to stand up to ILLEGAL infrastructure, and again, had we used violence, all of the force used by the goons would have been justified.
We came from all horizons, answering a call to defend the sacred and protect the water, we were people from over five hundred native nations, and the entire planet sent it's singers, dancers, drummers and medicine people.
We shared meals, we shared songs, and we prayed for those on the other side of the barbed wire, we prayed they could find awareness that they would be poinsoning the ater of their own children through their actions.
We knew that in their hearts they had that voice telling them what was right, and what was wrong, and we counted on their internal dialouge to effect their behaviors, as it is told, officers turned in their guns and badges, and pipeline workers quit, the prayers worked.
We also wanted to create a school, a place to teach values which can be sustained through time, we meant to create a space for people who wanted to learn how to live in harmony with this good earth, a place where people could learn to use alternative energy, a place people could learn the old ways, the old songs, the old prayers and the native language of the Lakota, Dakota, Nakota people, and walk in prayer.
We created that place, we worked to bring into the world a place which had never existed before, and that place was destroyed, it was destroyed by a fearful people, a needy people desperate for oil money, and scared of losing the small foot hold that remained on the land which they had been forced onto.
Now we know, there were Tiger Swan agents inside of our camp, we know the fbi and atf had agents inside of our group, trying to ruin what we knew was good and right.
Now we know, they were using the media to lie about us, and create a false fear in the viewing public.
Now we know that they used munitions against us which violate international law and the common decency of human kind.
Now we know they feared our prayers.
So we go forward, armed still with peace, love and prayer, we go forward with an understanding that nonviolence is still our way, prayer is still our way, and that the media and government act as one in collusion with coproate bullies, attacking with real hate, attacking with real violence and without justification, using law enforcement as a form of oppression, using the media as a form of oppression, and violating the very people who they are sworn to protect.
SO PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE stay in prayer, remain peaceful, and remain legal.
If we are peaceful, legal and prayerful, we are on the right side of history, doing what our ancestors knew we would, standing up to defend the sacred.
WATER IS LIFE!
