American Indian Movement Spiritual Leader Fred Short led the crowd in a closing prayer at an event supporting Standing Rock at the Redwood Valley Guild.
UPDATE, Dec. 6: – The “Laytonville for Standing Rock” group decided at their Nov. 30 event to hold ongoing Wednesday meetings, location yet to be decided. This week, however, the meeting will take place on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 5pm – 6:30pm, at the Laytonville Grange. More information can be found on this Facebook page. Updates
Meetings are also ongoing in Ukiah on Mondays at 5:30pm at the Mendocino Environmental Center. Ongoing gatherings are also planned for Fridays outside the Ukiah courthouse from 5pm to 6pm “to send a message of support that we stand together for the safety, dignity, and rights of all members of our community.”
You can get more information about ongoing events by emailing [email protected]
The “Mendo Moves for Standing Rock” event held in Fort Bragg on Dec. 4 raised over $15,000 for Standing Rock activists, with more financial donations still being counted. More than a truckful of supplies were also donated. More information, including videos from that event, can be found on the event Facebook page (see below).
At the mobilization against/divestment from Well Fargo in Ukiah on Nov. 30, “six people withdrew $36,200 from Wells Fargo in Ukiah and initiated the process of closing a combined 10 accounts with the bank.” The action was coordinated with a similar event in San Francisco. More information about Wells Fargo’s involvement in the DAPL and testimonials from Mendocino County residents who closed their accounts is on the “Mendo Stands with Standing Rock” Facebook page.
Loren Lincoln of Round Valley has established an online crowdfunding campaign to help him remain at Standing Rock. In a Facebook post, he is quoted as saying “I came here to represent my tribes, the Wailaki and the Yuki of Northern California. I was at the casino [on November 20th] and heard that people were being shot with rubber bullets so I went over to the frontline. As I was approaching the bridge, all I could smell was pepper spray and vomit. . We were out there for five hours, until 2am. It was a pretty nasty sight. We’re all here together, people of all backgrounds…to change the history of oppression.” Here is a fundraising link: https://www.everribbon.com/ribbon/view/59038
MENDOCINO Co. — Despite the winter weather arriving in North Dakota, the announcement that the “Water Protectors” campers fighting the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) at Standing Rock will be evicted by the Army Corps on December 5, and the President-elect Donald Trump’s business interests in the pipeline, Mendocino residents continue to send support to Standing Rock. Many caravans of north coast residents have participated in the actions against the pipeline — and several were arrested along with hundreds of other campers – and they will be sharing their stories at upcoming events in Ukiah and Laytonville. On the coast, the “Mendo Moves for Standing Rock” benefit, an all day family-friendly dance party and fundraiser, will take place in Fort Bragg on Dec. 3.
Additional trips from Mendocino to North Dakota are happening weekly, and donations being collected around the county. There are many ways to donate to the effort, either financially, or with winter gear, wetsuits, and other supplies, including to the Water Protector camps directly. Those in Standing Rock recommend checking out any group taking donations as there are scam sites out there. Locally, a group has formed the “Mendo Stands with Standing Rock Legal Defense and Emergency Fund,” and they have been collecting donations to assist locals in joining the camps. More information and how to contact them is included at the end of this article.
To connect with others traveling to Standing Rock join the “Mendo Stands with Standing Rock” Facebook group, or attend one of the events listed below.
Also, check out these videos from Round Valley students in support of Standing Rock here and here.
UKIAH: Monday, November 28 at 5:30pm at the Mendocino Environmental Center (part of a series of ongoing meetings), 106 W. Standley St., Ukiah. Meetings about Standing Rock are regularly held at this location.
Event description: Several Mendonesians who recently returned from the Standing Rock camps will be in attendance to share their stories and advise prospective travelers. The agenda also includes updates about current events at Standing Rock, the next caravans going and what supplies to take, and other local actions and events. The meeting will end with a closing prayer.
UKIAH: Wednesday, November 30 at 12pm – Water Protector Send-off and Wells Fargo Mass Withdrawal Day, Ukiah Courthouse (banner making at Mendocino Environmental Center at 10am).
Event Description: “Join us at Wells Fargo in Ukiah at noon to table information and spread the word about divesting! Pre-party at 10:00 am at the MEC to make a banner!”
We are undertaking this action in Ukiah in conjunction with a similar action on the same day in San Francisco. More info here: https://
This is also a send-off ceremony for Sara Grusky, Sierra Alexander, and Lucienne Sheyla, who are departing for Standing Rock! Please bring donations of high-quality wool clothing.”
Event Description: “Phone bank public officials and business officials concerning Standing Rock. This event will also be a send-off celebration for Jassen Rodriguez and his family, who are departing for Standing Rock. We encourage you to make a financial donation. Donations of wood-burning stoves are a top priority! Many of you will recall Jassen’s powerful and moving speech at the the November 6th Mendo Stands with Standing Rock event in Redwood Valley.
Event description: Fundraising and Public meeting for “NO DAPL” Standing Rock Drive! “General Contractor Collin and longtime water rights activist Atta will be sharing photos, experiences, and long term solutions to benefit our frontline relatives in North Dakota. We are seeking medical surgical kits, trucks and drivers, extreme winter clothing, etc. Winter weather has embraced the camp and our help is a matter of hypothermia due to water attacks by law enforcement. Please share and hope to see you this Weds.”
From the event announcement: “Hear their stories, see their photos, and discuss what YOU can do to help defend the People, their Rights and Water. In addition, please help spread this message by phoning, texting, emailing and telling your friends. Thank you.”
FORT BRAGG: Saturday, December 3, Mendo Moves for Standing Rock benefit, 10am – midnight, Eagles Hall, 210 N Corry St., Fort Bragg.
Event Description: “The Mendocino Coast community is ready to gather for a day of sacred movement and music in solidarity with our brothers and sisters fighting to protect Mother Earth.”
Doors open at 9:30, 10 am Opening Circle and Sacred Water Ceremony
Cost of Admission: $10 one workshop, $20 Half Day (Morning or evening), $40 All Day
Workshops: 10:30 – 11am Devotional Five Rhythms with Justine Battersby; 11 – 11:45am Yoga with Justine Lemos; 11:45 – 12:30pm Bellydance with Nicole Fish; 12:30 – 2pm Zumba with Tabitha Korhummel and friends; 2:00 – 4pm Samba with Carmen Day; 12:00am Closing Yoga with Delphine Davidson
Live Music: 9:30am NancyJoy Evans, 11:45am Lavender Grace during Bellydance, 7:30 – 10pm AfroFunk Experience
– DJ Sets: Syrius • Mountain Man • DJ Embe • Selector Science & DJ DLT
– Circus Performances by Ajah Leas and Kristi Lee
– Informational Talk by Charlie Acker about the dangers of fracking and its effects on our drinking water.
– DANCE-A-THON: Collect pledges from family and friends, open to all ages! All participants will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win door prizes.
– Letter Writing Station to contact government officials and financial institutions.
– Banner Making Station to make banners to send to the front lines in Standing Rock.
We are collecting zero-degree sleeping bags and horse blankets to send to Standing Rock. Receive an extra raffle ticket for each sleeping bag or horse blanket donated.
Mendo Stands with Standing Rock Legal Defense and Emergency Fund is taking donations as long as local activists are needed to join the resistance at Standing Rock.
Here’s a statement from the fund:
“We are in touch with Mendo folks who are at Standing Rock and stay apprised about what they perceive to be the most pressing needs of the Water Defenders. We would like these funds to go where they will do the most good. We want to enable low income and Native American neighbors to go if they feel the call to be there and help in some way. The fund assists with travel costs, legal aid if necessary, emergencies and to help other water defenders in need. Administered by Cloud Forest Institute, PO Box 1435, Ukiah, CA 95482. http://www.cloudforest.org/ 100% of your contribution goes to the fund and is tax deductible.”
