For IEN notices/alerts
From Walt Bresette, Red Cliff Chippewa, (715) 779-5071
Saturday, May 24, 11:20 am
PLEASE CIRCULATE to media and lists
RED ALERT!
PEACEFUL MOLE LAKE PROTEST MET WITH VIOLENCE
Supporters, Observers, Ogitchida Requested!
At 1:15 this morning, Saturday, May 24, a non-Indian private
security force hired by Mole Lake Tribal Chair Arlyn Ackley
attacked the tribal offices where tribal members have been
staging a peaceful protest since May 1.
Bill Koenen, a tribal environmental specialist, was beaten
by the club-wielding security force. It
was reported that approximately 10 local county sheiriff vehicles were parked outside,
witnessed this beating, and did nothing. No arrests have been made.
The Bingo Hall portion of the tribal offices was taken by
security forces, but the tribal members remain in other
portions of the building. It was reported by witnesses inside the building that
when the attacked was made, window glass in one of the portions of the building was shattered
by one of the goons, spraying broken glass over children that were inside the building.
Requests have been made from inside the building for supporters,
Ogitchida, and others concerned with a peaceful resolution to
this dispute to either go to the Mole Lake community in
northeastern Wisconsin, or call the telephone numbers below to voice your concern.
"The private force, WisCo Security out of Merrill, Wisconsin,
was joined by some local thugs fueled with some alcohol," said one
eyewitness inside the building.
At 11:00 a.m. this morning, it was reported that 50 tribal members were still inside the building
and wererefusing to be removed. It was reported that Bill Koenen was in the hospital. His
condition was unknown. Bill Koenen earlier said, "We are still here protecting the tribal
records. We have a sacred Pipe and our Medicine Drum in this building and must protect it."
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People interested in a peaceful resolution of the dispute
are urged to IMMEDIATELY call Vice Chairman Charles Fox at
(715) 478-5048, Forest County Sheriff Wilson at (715) 478-3331,
and the WisCo Security firm at (715) 536-8092.
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For more information, contact the tribal members at (715)
367-2902. For more background information on the dispute,
and its relationship to the proposed Exxon mine, see
http://www.ienearth.org/notices.html
or call the Indigenous Environmental Network at (218)
751-4967 or (715) 779-5071.
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