Standing Rock Benefit Draws Hundreds to the Grange

An inspiring Standing Rock benefit to support Native Americans and others seeking to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) happened on Nov. 6 from early in the afternoon to past 10 p.m. at the Sebastopol Grange. A stream of folks coming and going was estimated to be about 600 people. The event raised thousands of dollars through donations, food and drink sales.

The 1,172-mile-long pipeline is currently scheduled to cross both the Missouri and Mississippi rivers to carry oil that was obtained by fracking and would be an environmental disaster. It also crosses Native American sacred ground. Over 50,000 people already have participated in actions at the site and encamped at the nearby Standing Rock Sioux reservation.

Police and security guards from throughout North Dakota and beyond have terrorized the peaceful water protectors, including using attack dogs and riders on horses. They have arrested hundreds, yet the encampment continues to grow in the face of such police brutality.

It has been a classic David vs. Goliath struggle. Amy Goodman of the radio/TV program “Democracy Now” was among the hundreds arrested. She was eventually released and her regular reports can be heard on her program and at her website.

“The tremendous outpouring of support for the Standing Rock Water Protectors was inspiring,” commented Sonoma State University Professor Debora Hammond. “I was particularly moved by the drumming, and the comments by Adam, the drum leader, about the enormous significance of this movement and the coming together of people from all corners of the earth to challenge the militarized assault on the indigenous peoples, their water and their sovereignty, and to hold the vision of a different kind of future in which the earth and all of her children are cared for.”

“It was heartening to see that massive turnout. I think people are feeling so alienated by this ugly election process that it was really great timing to be able to act positively and hopefully make a difference. The overflowing donation jars were certainly inspiring,” said Anna Ransom of Friends of Atascadero Wetlands.

At 150 years old, the Grange is the oldest agricultural-based organization in the United States. It manages hundreds of Grange Halls, some of which have become community centers for cultural events. This event was a dog-friendly family happening, with children and adults holding signs like “Water is Sacred,” “Love Your Mother,” and “Water is Life.”

The evening started with a fire circle outside. Then indigenous people lead a prayer circle inside, after which people went outside and experienced lively Aztec dancing. The evening involved food from around the world, including Puerto Rico. There was a water blessing, music, dance, and art.

Flyers were circulated with information on direct actions that people can take to support the Standing Rock protectors. For example, people were encouraged to boycott DAPL funders, which include Wells Fargo Bank, Citibank, and Bank of America.

"The day after the Grange event, journalist Thomm Hartman reported that the military/police were destroying medicine supplies, slashing tents, and illegally jamming cell devices,” according to Janus Matthes of Wine and Water Watch (www.winewaterwatch.org.)

“They targeted older women, who were strip searched. Their medicines were taken away, and they were housed on cement floors. Some had to be transported to medical facilities after being left for days without help. This is a combination of police from several states, National Guard, and private police contractors doing this to citizens,” Matthes added.

“An SSU Student’s Journey to Standing Rock” banner headlines a long front-page Nov. 1 issue of the weekly Sonoma State Star. Noah Treanor begins his article as follows: “There is an ancient Native American prophecy that speaks of a great black snake that will one day run through all the valleys and rivers, desecrating life in its path. From east to west, tribal elders have warned for generations this monster was coming. And today it seems it is finally upon us.”

“We could see men, women and elders being grabbed and body slammed to the floor,” reports Treanor. “Everyone was locked in arms and still in prayer.”

“A wonderful event!” said Angela Ford. "Lovely energy, so many young people and elders. Great music from Royal Jelly Jive.” She added that it was “not purely a local event. I talked with a woman from Berkeley, a native from Novato, a couple from Ukiah, and one of the Feather dancers from Roseland. Others came from San Francisco and elsewhere in the Bay Area.”