THE PROVIDENCE RALLY

On Saturday March 21, 2009 about 100 to 150 protesters marched from Roger Williams Park to the steps of the Rhode Island State Capital and then finally ending at Burnside Park in downtown Providence.

Mashapee Wampanoags, Mashantucket Pequots, other native American (first people) tribes, and other civil rights groups. As they marched past the steps at the front of the capital building, the protests chanting, "What do we want?" ,,,,,,,,:"Justice",,,,,,,,,................................"When do we want it?",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Now."............. And on they went chanting the same things over and over again.

The rally was sponsored by the Narragansett Tribe to protest the recent Supreme Court decision in which any tribe that got Federal Recognition after 1934 could not have land taken into trust by the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs). The Narragansetts wanted to put 31 acres into trust supposedly for elder housing. The state filed a lawsuit to prevent it. The United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of Rhode Island.

The speakers at the Burnside Park were quite good. They reminded us, that at one time the park had been a plantation and slaves were traded in the same area we were standing. Providence had been the second largest trade port for slaves in the Colonies. The different groups represented were native Americans, blacks, Hispanics, gay rights, members of Islam and other groups. They all there to support each other and the cause of Justice, freedom and human rights. The speakers said if you do this to one of us you are doing it to all of us.

The Chairman of the Tribal Council of the Wampanoags said his tribe was going to be there in the fight with the Narragansetts like they had been all the way back in history to when the white man came to America. He said his tribe would overcome the Supreme Court decision and someday have a casino of their own.

A Mohegan Tribal Cultural Department worker's wife, told how she had been an advocate in Washington D.C.. and that people working in the U.S. Government did not know the difference between land into trust and annexing land. She spoke boldly and with great conviction. She represented her people (Mashantucket Pequot) well.

Mark Hamilton (a Mohegan Tribal Councilor) was there, and as a native American spoke of how to fix the problem caused by the Supreme Court ruling. He called for new legislation. Hamilton said the situation needs to be changed. He spoke of how he wanted to help anyway he could. He said it was about freedom and civil rights. He did Mohegans proud.

The speakers all stood at the base of the General Burnside statue. He had fought in the Civil War and later became a U. S. Senator and the Governor of Rhode Island. He had fought for freedom and the Union cause. It was a fitting place to hold a rally.

In the end one speaker said they would be giving a pin to all the participants in the near future. She said we walked the walk but we need to keep working and fighting to change things. We (the Mohegan Tribe) need to walk the walk and keep working for ours and other tribes' civil rights. This Supreme Court ruling effects about at least 200 tribes (including tribes that are seeking or will be seeking recognition in the future)..

The drum was beaten as it was carried out of the park by the marchers who then boarded buses back to the starting place (Roger Williams Park). The Editors of Brokenwing Editorials and the Feather News walked back to our car in the parking garage by the State Capital.

That same day in another part of Providence, thousands of people had turned out for the St. Patrick's Day 5K run and St. Patrick's Day Parade was marching on the other side of the Capital building. Thousands watching a St. Patrick's Day Parade and almost no one watching a march for Civil Rights, and freedoms of first people.

As we drove down I-95 headed back to Uncasville, Connecticut (about 56 miles) I thought, how come the Mohegan Tribe had not been more supportive? Are people fighting, in my own tribe, for justice, their civil rights and freedoms? How come the tribe had not participated more? Doesn't this situation affect us too? Where were our (Mohegan) Tribal leaders? Only three Mohegans showed up. It was still a good day for Mohegans. What do you think?

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: What do we want? JUSTICE When do we want it? NOW What do we want? JUSTICE When do we want it? NOW