Standing Rock (Winter/Medical)
Donation protected
Fundraising for Winter Support of Standing Rock #NoDAPL Water Protectors.
Friends, family, brothers and sisters,
It's getting worse, as many of you know. Myself, a medic, a photorjournalist and another demonstrator did make the trip up. I was unable to secure winter-worthy lodging (mesh topped campaign tent wasn't going to cut) so I returned home to re-group. I am now making plans to bring myself and two others back to serve the camp over the days surrounding thanksgiving. The brutal attacks they endured on Sunday are unforgiveable and we must do all we can to heal and nourish our relatives.
Last week I participated in direct actions and demonstrations, risking arrest and documenting the ongoing struggle, but much more needs to be done. The camp needs basic supplies and winter-worthy lodging for water protectors braving the cold weather to stand up for clean water and a clean energy future.
I know some of you may not be entirely familiar with the struggle or why it is important, and there is a vast amount of disinformation spreading through Facebook and mainstream media about the ongoing fight and Native claims to the unceded treaty land. Please watch the following video for information direct from the chairming of the Lakota Sioux tribe.
What's Needed:
In my time at Standing Rock I worked closely with direct action support staff as well as medics and have identified the following needs, which I will bring with me on my return trip:
-Camping Cookware
-Gas Stoves
-100+ sets of finger nail clippers (most overlooked basic healthcare item)
-Protective goggles
-Solar blankets
-Materials for building winter structures (treated lumber, insulation, nails, screws, canvas, rope and stove piping)
-Tools (axes for wood splitting, hammers, chainsaws, circular saw, nail guns, etc.)
-Dental care supplies
-Sleeping bags rated to -20 degrees, winterized tents
-Cash for water re-supply, propane
-Solar Panels
Below are pitcures of structures already being built at other camps but sorely needed at Highstar.
This is not a comprehensive list of needs, but needs I know I can help acquire and transport. We also need a golf cart or two (I can probably fit one in my truck) needed for bringing elderly and injured protectors to the medic tent as the camp is growing in size every day and becoming too large for disabled, elderly and injured protectors to traverse when needing urgent care.
To provide all needed materials I need much more than the $1,300 stated, but for the time being I can make that amount work to take care of the most urgent requests.
I also need gas money to transport these supplies as I spent the remainder of my personal funds on the first trip out. Gas is expected to cost $150 each way. I have my own food supply but would love to bring 50 gallons of water upon arrival as well as bulk grains and legumes. The camp feeds anywhere from 2,500-4,000 people EACH DAY, accomplished through volunteer labor on a scale you have to see to believe.
I know many of you wish you could be there in person to stand up for what's righ in this historic struggle. No matter what you're main concern is -Native Sovereignty, Clean water, the future of our energy- this struggle is only the beggining of a new paradigm for America. We are saying, finally, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, we will not remain silent while the greed of a handful of billionaires destroys our precious land and water. We all rely on the earth for life and health, our children and grandchildren are being sold out to dinosaur energy that pollutes and kills. In a time when solar, wind and hydro-power are viable energy alternatives we can no longer afford to let Oil profiteers hold us in their death grip.
In my opinion, this is the greatest struggle of our modern time. Securing clean water is a fundamental human problem. We WILL prevail, international and energy law experts have already confirmed that North Dakota and Federal governments have commited human rights violations and multiple civil and criminal infractions against the Sioux, as well as instigating violence against those who seek only to protect their water, land and fragile ecosystems that depend on it.
Please give any amount you can. I have dedicated myself to this struggle because I can, and those of you who yearn to join the struggle but are tied to jobs, family or otherwise unable to join the struggle in person will have my eternal gratitude for any assistance you can provide.
Mni Wiconi! Water is Life!
Much love to all of you. We will use peace and love to conquer the "black snake", and to fight for a better future for America, one in which sustainable energy and respect for life are at the forefront of our lifestyle. A future where greed and violence are no longer acceptable, no longer foundations of our culture.
I wish to return as soon as possible. If you can, please give today and help us secure the camp for winter so that we may stand strong in peace, with health and hope.
My deepest thanks and sincere gratitude. I know the Lakota and Dakota Sioux are moved by the influx of support by their white "relatives", a term I believe they use in a spirit of forgiveness and solidarity. Let us be there for them now in their time of need. I will likely face arrest, strip search, injury... and god knows what else, but I do this joyfully in a spirit of calm determination.
One heart, one mind, one prayer.
With love,
Jesse
Friends, family, brothers and sisters,
It's getting worse, as many of you know. Myself, a medic, a photorjournalist and another demonstrator did make the trip up. I was unable to secure winter-worthy lodging (mesh topped campaign tent wasn't going to cut) so I returned home to re-group. I am now making plans to bring myself and two others back to serve the camp over the days surrounding thanksgiving. The brutal attacks they endured on Sunday are unforgiveable and we must do all we can to heal and nourish our relatives.
Last week I participated in direct actions and demonstrations, risking arrest and documenting the ongoing struggle, but much more needs to be done. The camp needs basic supplies and winter-worthy lodging for water protectors braving the cold weather to stand up for clean water and a clean energy future.
I know some of you may not be entirely familiar with the struggle or why it is important, and there is a vast amount of disinformation spreading through Facebook and mainstream media about the ongoing fight and Native claims to the unceded treaty land. Please watch the following video for information direct from the chairming of the Lakota Sioux tribe.
What's Needed:
In my time at Standing Rock I worked closely with direct action support staff as well as medics and have identified the following needs, which I will bring with me on my return trip:
-Camping Cookware
-Gas Stoves
-100+ sets of finger nail clippers (most overlooked basic healthcare item)
-Protective goggles
-Solar blankets
-Materials for building winter structures (treated lumber, insulation, nails, screws, canvas, rope and stove piping)
-Tools (axes for wood splitting, hammers, chainsaws, circular saw, nail guns, etc.)
-Dental care supplies
-Sleeping bags rated to -20 degrees, winterized tents
-Cash for water re-supply, propane
-Solar Panels
Below are pitcures of structures already being built at other camps but sorely needed at Highstar.
This is not a comprehensive list of needs, but needs I know I can help acquire and transport. We also need a golf cart or two (I can probably fit one in my truck) needed for bringing elderly and injured protectors to the medic tent as the camp is growing in size every day and becoming too large for disabled, elderly and injured protectors to traverse when needing urgent care.
To provide all needed materials I need much more than the $1,300 stated, but for the time being I can make that amount work to take care of the most urgent requests.
I also need gas money to transport these supplies as I spent the remainder of my personal funds on the first trip out. Gas is expected to cost $150 each way. I have my own food supply but would love to bring 50 gallons of water upon arrival as well as bulk grains and legumes. The camp feeds anywhere from 2,500-4,000 people EACH DAY, accomplished through volunteer labor on a scale you have to see to believe.
I know many of you wish you could be there in person to stand up for what's righ in this historic struggle. No matter what you're main concern is -Native Sovereignty, Clean water, the future of our energy- this struggle is only the beggining of a new paradigm for America. We are saying, finally, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, we will not remain silent while the greed of a handful of billionaires destroys our precious land and water. We all rely on the earth for life and health, our children and grandchildren are being sold out to dinosaur energy that pollutes and kills. In a time when solar, wind and hydro-power are viable energy alternatives we can no longer afford to let Oil profiteers hold us in their death grip.
In my opinion, this is the greatest struggle of our modern time. Securing clean water is a fundamental human problem. We WILL prevail, international and energy law experts have already confirmed that North Dakota and Federal governments have commited human rights violations and multiple civil and criminal infractions against the Sioux, as well as instigating violence against those who seek only to protect their water, land and fragile ecosystems that depend on it.
Please give any amount you can. I have dedicated myself to this struggle because I can, and those of you who yearn to join the struggle but are tied to jobs, family or otherwise unable to join the struggle in person will have my eternal gratitude for any assistance you can provide.
Mni Wiconi! Water is Life!
Much love to all of you. We will use peace and love to conquer the "black snake", and to fight for a better future for America, one in which sustainable energy and respect for life are at the forefront of our lifestyle. A future where greed and violence are no longer acceptable, no longer foundations of our culture.
I wish to return as soon as possible. If you can, please give today and help us secure the camp for winter so that we may stand strong in peace, with health and hope.
My deepest thanks and sincere gratitude. I know the Lakota and Dakota Sioux are moved by the influx of support by their white "relatives", a term I believe they use in a spirit of forgiveness and solidarity. Let us be there for them now in their time of need. I will likely face arrest, strip search, injury... and god knows what else, but I do this joyfully in a spirit of calm determination.
One heart, one mind, one prayer.
With love,
Jesse
Organizer
Jesse Lukes
Organizer
Fridley, MN
