[mobglob-discuss] Indigenous Peoples Gathering Solidarity Statement / Encuentro de Gentes Indigenas Declaracion de Solidaridad

[Harsha Walia]

(espanol sigue)

No One Is Illegal-Vancouver Statement of Solidarity
to the Gathering of the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

No One Is Illegal Vancouver would like to extend our deep respect and
humblest gratitude to the Commission of the Sixth Declaration of the
Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) for their proposal to the
Organizing Commission of the Gathering of the Indigenous Peoples of the
Americas to extend to our group an invitation to this historic gathering
this October 2007 in Vicam, Sonora, México.

Although we are unfortunately unable to attend, we know this gathering is
hugely significant and will certainly be a powerful and inspiring meeting
of indigenous communities, tribes, and nations of the Americas and their
trusted allies. We are incredibly honoured to be considered as allies in
the struggle for indigenous self-determination and liberation and to have
been invited to participate in this gathering.

As a group, we place ourselves within the broader anti-colonial and
anti-capitalist movement of "No One Is Illegal." We believe that there are
no "illegal" immigrants, only illegal colonial governments and inhumane
laws.  As a movement for self-determination that challenges the ideology
inherent to immigration controls, we are in full confrontation with
Canadian border policies that perpetuate violence, racism, destitution,
and exploitation.

We recognize that the global forces of war and capitalist destruction that
are causing the dispossession and migration of millions of immigrants and
refugees across the global South, such as the migration of millions from
Mexico into the US, are also causing the devastation and conquest of
indigenous communities and territories across the Americas. While these
colonial borders are being made open to capital through so-called "free
trade" agreements, the borders of countries like Canada and the US are
being militarized against the people- especially indigenous people of the
South, who are being forced off their lands, from their homes, and whose
entire lives are being stolen by this system of greed and plunder.

Therefore we strongly believe that our work must always be carried out in
solidarity with the struggles for the self-determination of indigenous
communities of the Americas.

For those of us who are indigenous to different parts of the Global South,
we also extend our hearts as sisters and brothers in the struggle against
colonization and imperialism.

To all those in attendance, we extend our warmest greetings and our
solidarity in the struggle ahead.


-----------------------------------------------

No One is Illegal-Vancouver (Nadie es Illegal-Vancouver) Declaracion de
Solidaridad con el Encuentro de Gentes Indigenas de las Americas

No One Is Illegal Vancouver quiere extender nuestro profundo respeto y
humilde gratitude a la Comision de la Sexta Declaracion del Ejercito
Zapatista de Liberacion Nacional (EZLN) por haber propuesto al Comite
Organizador del Encuentro de Gentes Indigenas de las Americas que
extiendan una invitacion hacia nuestro grupo para atender este encuentro
historico en Octubre del 2007 en Vicam, Sonora, Mexico.

Apesar de que por lastima no vamos a poder atender, sabemos que este
encuentro es muy importante y ciertamente va a ser una reunion ponderosa e
inspiradora para las comunidades indigenas, tribus y naciones de las
Americas y sus aliados de confianza. Nos llena de honor ser considerados
aliados en la lucha por la liberacion y autodeterminacion indigena y por
haber sido invitados a participar en este encuentro.

Como grupo, nos encontramos dentro del movimiento mas amplio anti-colonial
y anti-capitalista del movimiento “Nadie es Illegal”. Nosotros creemos que
los immigrantes “ilegales” no existen, solo existen gobiernos ilegales y
leyes inhumanas. Como un movimiento por la autodeterminacion que desafia
la ideologia inherente de los controles de immigracion, nosotros
confrontamos completa y directamente la politica de la frontera Canadiense
que perpetua la violencia, el racismo, la destitucion y la explotacion.

Reconocemos que las fuerzas globales de guerra y destrucción capitalista
que causan la desposesión y migración de millones de inmigrantes y
refugiados a traves del Sur Mundial, como la migración de millones de
mexicanos a los Estados Unidos, son también las causas de la devastación y
conquista de las comunidades y los territorios indígenos a través de las
Américas. Mientras que las fronteras coloniales están abiertos para
capital por medio de lo que se llama “comercio libre”, las fronteras de
países como Canadá y los Estados Unidos están militarizadas contra la
gente, en particular las gentes indígenas del Sur, quienes están forzadas
fuera de sus tierras y sus casas, y cuyas vidas están robadas por este
sistema de avaricia y saqueo.

Por tanto, pensamos fuertemente que nuestro trabajo siempre debe ser
realizado en solidaridad con las luchas de autonomía para las gentes
indígenas de las Américas.

Para nosotros quienes somos indigenos de las partes distintas del Sur
Mundial, también tendemos nuestros corazones como hermanas y hermanos en
la lucha contra colonialismo y imperialismo.

Para todos en asistencia, reciban nuestros saludos y nuestra solidaridad
en la lucha que viene.



-- 
No One is Illegal-Vancouver
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No One is Illegal-Vancouver is a grassroots anti-colonial
immigrant/refugee rights community collective with leadership from members
of migrant and/or racialized backgrounds. As a movement for
self-determination that challenges the ideology of immigration controls,
we are in full confrontation with Canadian border policies; denouncing and
taking action to combat racial profiling, detention and deportation, the
national security apparatus, law enforcement brutality, and exploitative
working conditions of migrants.

We struggle for the right for our communities to maintain their
livelihoods and resist war, occupation, and displacement; while supporting
indigenous sisters and brothers fighting theft of land and colonization.
We also place ourselves within the broader movement for global social
justice that struggles against capitalism, militarism, oppression,
poverty, imperialism, and other systems of domination and exploitation.