Alex Darocy Photography

On April 27 community members in Hollister gathered in solidarity with the Idle No More movement and First Nations people. Organizers of the gathering asked supporters to, "join the Communities of hollister as we gather with songs and prayers in solidarity with our Northern Brothers and Sisters and all Indigenous People." "When we are coming out here today it is very important to make an awareness about respecting Mother Earth and protecting her, you know, she's getting raped everyday," one of the women who organized the gathering said.  "People think that she's going to be there forever, but she's not, if we don't protect her today and tomorrow and in the future we won't have a future. Our future generations won't have Earth, or water, or air, or land to grow anything...if we look everyday we see how polluted the air is...we cant even drink water in the rivers."  She emphasized that, "all nations are in thi...

Idle No More supporters gathered at City Plaza Park on Main Street in Watsonville, Ca. on April 19, 2013. "Thank you for coming together and standing up for justice, for all Nations, South of the border, North of the border, and North, North of the border." -- Tomas Alejo These words describe an Idle No More perspective as seen from those who live in Watsonville, Ca, where for most people, the Mexican/American border dynamic plays a role in everyday life. From the event Announcement: "Communities of Watsonville will be gathering at the Watsonville Plaza in solidarity with the Idle No More movement from Canada and First Nations People. "Please join the Communities of Watsonville as we gather with songs and prayers in an act of solidarity with our Northern Brothers and Sisters and all Indigenous People. "Bring your Families, Children, Elders, Friends and Neighbors. Bring your Drums, Prayers, Songs, Medicine and Good Energy. "I...

On March 23, Idle No More supporters gathered for prayers, songs, speeches, and round dances in front of the Federal Building in San Francisco as part of the "Next Step to Stop Keystone XL." Wicahpiluta Candelaria, a Rumsen Ohlone cultural presenter, sang and gave the opening prayer.  Speakers included Pennie Opal Plant, Norman "Wounded Knee" DeOcampo, and Paul Flores, who all picked up on the theme of "water" and its relation to The Keystone XL pipeline.  Following the round dances, community members joined together for a singing of the American Indian Movement anthem.  Shortly after the Idle No More event, bay area activists gathered in front of the San Francisco Federal Building for nonviolent direct action training in preparation for a yet to be announced action to stop the Keystone XL pipeline. 

Supporters of the Idle No More movement participated in a round dance during the final day of the Azteca Mexica New Year Ceremony and Celebration on March 17 at Emma Prusch Park in San Jose. "We have been using these round dances to call attention to our Earth, and to the call for fighting the corporations, fighting our government, and to protect this Earth as Indigenous people," Lakota Harden said to the group before the round dance began. The celebration is hosted by Calpulli Tonalehqueh, and according to their website it is the largest Azteca Mexica New Year Ceremony held nationally.  The ceremonial area was outlined with vendors, and the public advocacy tables represented very serious topics. Many of the crafts booths featured politically themed items for sale. One booth was dedicated to the freeing of Leonard Peltier, and the Latino Labor Caucus was present.  The San Jose Black Berets, who helped with some of the logistics of the celebration, had a table....