Gathering of Mother Earth Protectors

Sleepover: Toronto, Queen’s Park May 26th – May 29.

Rally: Queen’s Park May 26th, 5 p.m. – dusk. MCs: Thomas King and Cathy Jones. More special guests and musicians to be announced. For more info: michelle.langlois@ryerson.ca

Respect the right of First Nations to say no to economic exploitation and environmental destruction.

No jail for saying no.

Free Bob Lovelace and the KI Six.

On May 26th Indigenous communities and supporters including environmental and social justice groups will gather at Queen’s Park to uphold our duty to protect the land, forest, water, and air and to promote respect for our Indigenous rights to say no to economic exploitation and environmental destruction. It is time to end the jailing and harassment of our people for protecting mother earth and traditional ways. Please come to our large rally on May 26th at the legislature. We are also inviting supporters to join us in four days of ceremony, speakers, workshops, music, and a three night sovereignty sleep-over directly on the front lawn of the legislature.

Right now Indigenous communities across Ontario are taking a stand to assert our right to protect our traditional territories and the future of our peoples. Our communities are peacefully protesting destructive industrial projects that the government is permitting on our traditional lands without community consent.

Rather than respecting Treaties of co-existence and the UN recognized Indigenous right to withhold consent over industrial projects on traditional lands, the Ontario government is harassing Native people and jailing community activists and leaders including Bob Lovelace, Donny Morris, Sam McKay, Jack McKay, Cecilia Begg, Darryl Sainnawap, Bruce Sakakeep, and others. This cannot stand! Please join us in supporting freedom for First Nations and respect for the land.

NO CONSENT means STOP the DESTRUCTION to MOTHER EARTH!

We Need: volunteers, donations of money, food, tents, blankets, billeting, endorsements, and publicity.

Please let us know if your group wants to organize an event during the Gathering on May 27, or May 28.

To help out, or for information updates contact: sovereigntysleepover@gmail.com

Supporters: come prepared to take care of your own needs and to take direction from the communities.

This is an event of: Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI), Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation) [others may join soon].

Supporters: Christian Peacemaker Teams, Rainforest Action Network, No One is Illegal Toronto, Canadian Federation of Students, Canadian Labour Congress, CAW Sam Gindin Chair in Social Justice and Democracy, Ryerson University, Mining Watch, Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, ForestEthics, NOW Magazine, Defence for Children International.

----

Gathering of Mother Earth Protectors:
http://gatheringofmotherearthprotectors.blogspot.com

Welcome Rally:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=16866967546&ref=mf

Sovereignty Sleepover:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=16866967546&ref=mf

Mother Earth Protectors Walk:
http://mother-earth-walk.knet.ca

----

GROUND RULES

1) Respect the decisions of the community reps and abide by them.
2) Practice nonviolence, bring no weapons, show respect, do no property damage or graffiti
3) No alcohol or illegal drugs.
4) Take responsibility for your own actions.
5) No racist, sexist, homophobic, or other oppressive behaviour.
6) Stay sanitary. Wash your hands and clean up after yourself.
7) Help out with the tasks that are needed including cooking, cleaning, etc.
8) Children under age 16 need an adult supervisor.
10) We ask that you not cover your face or wear camouflage at this event.
11) You are at a public action intended to draw public attention. If you don’t want your image photographed or on video, please turn away or politely ask the photographer to stop.