BLOGPOST: Supporting Standing Rock

This weekend I took part in several different Standing Rock events! Friday night I went to a benefit concert, and on Sunday I participated in a protest and drum circle, marching from Santa Monica City Hall all the way to Venice Beach. It was an inspiring weekend, and my heart is filled with so much hope.

There is such a disregard for indigenous communities, and the current situation with Standing Rock makes me incredibly sad. I would really love to be at Sacred Stone Camp in North Dakota right now, but I’m in the midst of classes…😝 So for now, I will have to keep reminding myself to think globally and act locally. 💓🌏 (Sidenote: does anyone else have the urge to drop everything and go be a social activist?? I’m so full of compassion and empathy with all the things happening in the world right now, and complacency upsets me. I’m like, “I NEED TO GO HELP.” I think that’s why I’m drawn to journalism. Media is such a powerful tool for raising awareness, and I think we can contribute to the future with storytelling and art.)

Friday night’s benefit concert really inspired me. Coming together in music and love and solidarity provided so much solace. Ayla Nereo was the headliner, and her music (especially from the album, The Code of the Flowers) was so relevant to the fight at Standing Rock. If you haven’t heard of her, go look up her music! Ayla’s lyrics are extremely powerful, and she’s also just a really sweet, nice person.

On Sunday, I took part in a peaceful protest, march, and drum circle through the LA Unity Rally & Global Drum Circle 4 Peace. (Now I’m desperately wanting a bongo drum). The gathering started in front of Santa Monica City Hall and then continued all the way down to Venice Beach.

The Dakota Access Pipeline was just one of the many issues hi-lighted at the LA Unity Rally. The event was centered on bringing peace, justice, sustainability, and equality for all of humanity. Black Lives Matter, LGBT, and environmentalism were also among the causes. The LA Unity Rally was hosted by an awesome organization called “Time Is Now”. I’m going to link their information below, in case you would like to learn more about the work they’re doing!

“Time Is Now” – A People’s Peace Cooperative is an organization and a movement of the people, for the people, unifying actions and actively creating peaceful resolutions
to benefit all humans.

Facebook
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TimeIsNowCooperative@gmail.com
www.TimeIsNow.Org

It was an extremely humbling weekend, and I’m glad I could play a small part in recognizing and defending the rights of Native Americans and protecting their natural resources. This is a movement to honor the treaties and preserve indigenous sacred sites. It’s also a movement to protect the environment and provide safe, clean water. Oil pipelines break, spill, and leak, and the Dakota Access Pipeline will transport 570,000 barrels of oil every single day across four states and through the Missouri River. DAPL would endanger the water supply of 17 million Americans (both Native and non-Native) who rely upon the Missouri River for water. In 2012-2013, there were 300 oil pipeline breaks just in the state of North Dakota. 💧🐟

There are ways you can help, too! We need all forms of protest and action. I received a flyer outlining the various ways people can support Standing Rock, so I will insert that below, for those who feel inspired to make change:

Call for the Army Corps of Engineers’ Permit for the Dakota Access Pipeline to be rescinded

• Call the White House at (202) 456 – 1111 or (202) 456 – 1414
• Sign the White House petition
• Call the Army Corps of Engineers at (202) 761 – 5903
• Call North Dakota governor Jack Dalrymple at (701) 328 – 2200
• Call or email your Congressional Representatives or Senators

Support the Sacred Stone Camp

• Donate items // see their supply list
• Contribute to the Legal Defense Fund
• Contribute via GoFundMe

Tell the Executives of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. to stop building the pipeline

• Lee Hanse, EVP (210) 403 – 6455 ~ Lee.Hanse@energytransfer.com
• Glenn Emery, VP (210) 403 6762 ~ Glenn.Emery@energytransfer.com
• Michael Waters, Lead Analyst (713) 989 – 2404 ~ Michael.Waters@energytransfer.com

 

Mni Wiconi (Water is Life)

 

 

 

 

P.S. Activism is something so close to my heart. I was a part of Amnesty International in high school, and it changed my life. I realized that it’s very easy to be complacent on issues that don’t directly affect you, but everyone deserves an equal place in society. It’s important to be an ally and stand up for these individuals, whether it’s through Black Lives Matter, LGBT, Native Americans, or anyone who is otherwise marginalized. I’m planning to share more meaningful posts like this in the coming months, so I hope you enjoy reading and learning more! 💭