Trail of Fears Protest Journal

                  
In an effort to bring some form of cohesiveness to all that is going on around us, I have pieced together what I will term the "Trail of Fears Protest Journal." 

As we continue in our struggle to educate the global
community to what is actually occurring here at the Oakville Indian Mounds near Moulton, Alabama, this journal will be updated on a daily basis.

It is my opinion that we must keep a daily journal of events so that the truth of what is transpiring will be available. If we do not document the events as
they occur, we almost guarantee that the truth will be distorted as has most
of our Native American history. The following is a calendar of events that has occurred to date:

Tuesday Oct. 10, 2000 The Blue Clan of The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama held it's regularly scheduled bi-monthly meeting. During this
meeting it was brought to our attention that the Jaycees in conjunction with Mr. Butch Walker, who is the Indian Education Supervisor at the Oakville
Indian Mounds, were planning to conduct a "Trail of Fears" Halloween festival at the Oakville Indian Mounds Park. 

A committee was formed to approach the Jaycees with our concerns about their planned festival and
to see if some other arrangement could be worked out for them to hold their festival at a different location. 

The committee immediately left the meeting and went to the Oakville Indian Mounds in an effort to speak to
the Jaycees. Unfortunately, no one was present at the Mounds who could speak for the Jaycees. After the committee returned to the meeting and gave their
report, a motion was entertained that "in the case that the committee meets
with the Jaycees and an amicable agreement cannot be reached" we would then
oppose the Jaycees' "Trail of Fears" with all possible peaceful means at our disposal. The motion was then carried by a unanimous vote of all the Blue 
Clan members present at the meeting.

Thursday Oct. 19, 2000 Mr. Butch Walker's letter to the editor is published in The Moulton Advertiser. In his letter, Mr. Butch Walker basically belittles and maligns the Trail of Tears motorcycle ride that is held
each year. All the cyclists involved in The Trail of Tears do so out of a sense of honor and respect for the suffering and indignation that the Native American peoples endured at the hands of the American government during those tragic times in our history. 

For Mr. Walker, who initially helped start another motorcycle ride event known as The Creek Removal Ride, to launch an attack of this nature against the cyclists whose only intention is to honor and support the Native American peoples is absolutely intolerable.

Saturday Oct. 21, 2000 The first evening of the Jaycees' "Trail of Fears" was an extremely emotional afternoon for all involved. When we arrived at
the Oakville Indian Mounds, the Jaycees, Lawrence County Sheriff's Department, and the Moulton City Police Department were already there; before the evening was over, there would be at least ten police cars on site. We assembled on a piece of private property that adjoins the Oakville Park owned by Army Chaplain Thomas H. Moody. Our heart-felt
appreciation goes out to Chaplain Moody for his understanding, kind words, and support
during this time.

Those present included eight to ten motorcyclists,
Chief Perry White of The Echota Cherokee of Alabama, supporters from the Chicamaugan Cherokee of Alabama, Blue Clan Chief Mr. Millard Shelton,
Blue Clan Vice-Chief Mr. Gene Gold, Blue Clan Secretary/Treasurer Mr. Freddie Stephenson, Blue Clan Councilman Mr. Jack Stone, and other concerned
individuals. Ironically, Mr. Butch Walker declined the opportunity to make an appearance.

When we indicated to the Jaycees and the Lawrence County Sheriff's Chief Deputy that we wanted to enter the park area, we were told that "each individual will be required to pay the $5.00 admission fee just like
everyone else." Some of the Jaycees were arrogant and openly hostile.

When we refused to pay the admission fee and indicated that they were violating Public Law 95-341-Aug. 11, 1978 92 Stat. 469 also known as "the American Indian religious Freedom Act" which grants us access to and protection of Sacred Sites and Public Lands for Ceremonial Purposes, they began to realize
just how serious we were. In order to maintain peace, we were forced to negotiate for the privilege to conduct our religious ceremonies at the burial mounds. 
The verbal agreement reached is as follows: 
1) we would be allowed access only to the burial mound area of the park, 
2) only those "Trail of Fears" opponents who were present at that specific moment would be allowed access to the burial mounds for a period not to exceed one hour in duration,
 3) we could not in any way interfere with visitors access to the Jaycees' "Trail of Fears" festival,
4) those individuals present at that specific moment would not be required to pay the $5.00 admission fee,
and finally, 
5) we would be allowed to protest the event as long as we remained peaceful.

It is important to note that during the negotiations, we made several significant overtures to the Jaycees.
1) Mr. Gene Gold offered to give the Jaycees access to 14 acres of his property as an alternative site for the "Trail of Fears" and that we would help the Jaycees relocate the event. The Jaycees refused!!
2) We would donate to the Jaycees what ever amount of money they expected to collect during their entire event if they would only call off this event at this site. The Jaycees refused!!
3) We would purchase all the T-shirts that they had plus make the donation mentioned in item 2 above so that they would make as much money as
possible on the deal. The Jaycees refused!!

After performing our religious ceremonies at the burial mounds, we returned to the park entrance where we initiated our protest that continued until the park was closed by the Jaycees. Many potential visitors were kind enough to not enter the park; some entered hesitantly and still others were verbally abusive to us as they entered. Through it all, we kept our word to the various police departments and to the Jaycees that we would remain peaceful.

Not one incident occurred where there was abusive language, obscene gestures, or violence from our group of protesters. We are very proud of everyone that showed up and supported the protest.

Sunday Oct. 22, 2000 The Decatur Daily newspaper publishes an article about the "Trail of Fears" protest. The article contains several inaccurate statements about the protest and is very misleading. 

In general, the article leads the public to believe that Native American peoples have consented to and/or approve of the Jaycees' event. Not so!! It is, and
will remain, a racist act against all Native American peoples. The article also states that there were approximately 100 protestors. Not so!! Mr. Freddie Stephenson and myself did a head count and came up with 32 individuals, including the bikers. If the newspapers and/or other media are going to cover controversial issues such as this one, they should at
least make a minimal effort to get the facts straight.

Thursday Oct. 26, 2000 Today The Moulton Advertiser published an article written by local dentist Dr. Charles Borden which falsely accuses our duly elected Blue Clan Chief, Mr. Millard Shelton, of being a "self-proclaimed chief". Dr. Borden has been a long time supporter and friend of Mr. Butch Walker and obviously felt that he needed to launch a personal attack against Mr. Shelton to divert attention away from Mr. Walker's current precarious situation.

Surely, Dr. Borden you can think of something that doesn't sound so ---- well, for lack of better terminology, ---- so politically motivated
since your chosen candidate lost the election.

At the request of several area news media, Mr. Shelton and Blue Clan Vice-Chief Mr. Gene Gold agreed to be interviewed earlier today. The
interviews were to be broadcast on the local news programs later tonight.

Tonight we have 17 protesters, if I counted correctly, walking the picket lines of this pitched battle. This being a school night for the children and a work night for most adults, the turnout for both protesters and
potential "Trail of Fears" patrons is small. There are television crews present from Channel 6 in Birmingham, Alabama and Channels 31 and 48 in Huntsville, Alabama.

Reporters from some of the local newspapers are also present. One of the local radio station's, 104.1 FM, large broadcast truck entered the park and drove down to the "haunted" area. From our position, we did not hear a broadcast so we assume that they were only broadcasting "over the air waves" and decided not to utilize the very large speakers mounted on the
truck.

It was brought to our attention, and we are trying hard to verify the accuracy of the report, that the Jaycees intend to pay WDRM 102.1 FM, another local radio station, $6,000 dollars to do an on-site live
broadcast sometime this weekend. Ask yourselves this question - - How many needy children could the Jaycees help with this huge sum of money? 100? 200?
500? Unfortunately, we'll never know and neither will the children.

Friday Oct. 27, 2000 The police are very busy tonight trying to goad the protest leaders into some action or word that would be grounds for arrest. The only reason we can think of is that the meeting held
earlier today did not produce the fruit they wanted. This morning Blue Clan Chief Millard Shelton and Blue Clan Vice Chief Gene Gold attended a meeting
that was supposedly set up to find an amiable solution to the current travesty.

This meeting was supposedly to be held between our chiefs and the Lawrence County Board of Education Superintendent (Ms. Collins) to work out some
form of mutually agree upon settlement. It turned out to be another "redneck" set up. Present for the Lawrence County Board of Education were Ms.
Collins (Education Superintendent), their lawyer, Dr. Borden (Butch Walker's friend), Grady Rose (Lawrence County Sheriff), and Jim Martin (Lawrence
County Sheriff Chief Deputy). At the meeting, our chiefs were not allowed to present any information nor offer any counter measures; only accept what
Ms. Collins offered and shut up. The offer (actually a dictate) basically consisted of the following two points:
1) The current Halloween event will continue as scheduled without interference 
2) A committee would be formed to oversee any future use of the burial mounds area for events and would consists of our two chiefs and a number
of additional persons appointed by the same people who set up the current event. Can anyone say "stacked deck"?? How dumb do they think we are??

Obviously, when the meeting was over no amiable solution was reached. It was just another dictate by the politicians that we as Native Americans should
accept and be glad they even bothered to make such an insulting offer; therefore, we continue our protest. One thing is certain though; Millard and Gene are "marked" men as are the rest of the local protest leaders.

The term "marked" refers to the police routine of identifying certain individuals to arrest in the hopes that the protest will break up.

Saturday Oct. 28, 2000 FIVE ARRESTED!!! The police finally got what they wanted; an excuse to arrest some of our people. What began as an elderly
Onieda Grandmother trying to make her voice heard by stopping an incoming car gave the police the very opportunity they have wanted since day one of
the protest. Grandmother is approximately 80 years of age and posed absolutely NO threat to the officers. Also arrested were her husband and daughter for daring to ask the police not to be so rough. All three were treated very disrespectfully by the local police and literally dragged to the paddy wagon. According to police at the scene, they were charged with trespassing because the Jaycees now have a contract or some form of lease for the park area. This is in direct conflict with what Ms. Cindy Collins
(County Education Superintendent) has publicly stated. 

The Onieda's arrest is what prompted the pictures that Cindy Gold was taking when the plain-clothes officer grabbed her and shoved her around. Gene Gold stepped in tell the officer that he could not confiscate Cindy's camera and was promptly arrested for assaulting a police officer. Gene was beaten,
handcuffed, and dragged across the road to the awaiting paddy wagon.

When Cowboy (Arthur Dross) tried to help stop some of the protesters from getting involved, he was grabbed by one of the Sheriff's Deputies and arrested
for assaulting a police officer. When the deputy grabbed Cowboy, the officer reportedly said "I've been waiting to get my hands on you." Gene and
Cowboy are disabled veterans and both gentlemen have significant health problems.

Gene was wounded at least three times in Vietnam serving his country. As far as injuries to our people, we are uncertain at this time as to the extent of injuries suffered by the three Onieda's, Cindy Gold, Gene Gold, and Cowboy. We ask that everyone keep these people in your prayers.

After the altercation, the police were trying to confiscate all cameras and/or video recorders they could locate. Wonder why? Could they not want
the public to know what actually happened and how ruthless and barbaric they acted? Why are they so afraid of cameras? As the night continued, the police were actually directing traffic into the park for the Jaycees and had the protesters confined to an area that prevented us from turning away any of the potential patrons. They had the exit lanes blocked with two State Patrol cars so that no one could leave
once they had started to enter.

Obviously, the "good-ole-boy" redneck political system is alive and well in Lawrence County, Alabama. Everyone is aware that Gene and Millard were "marked men" from the time this peaceful protest began. Tonight they finally got Gene and tried very hard to purposefully goad Millard into saying something so they could arrest him.

Their logic is that if they can arrest these two then the rest of the protesters will simply go away. I was a participant in a conversation where the deputy sheriff tried to bate/goad/push Millard into saying something
in an angry tone so that he could arrest him. Millard was wise and strong enough to avoid his trap and at this time remains free. Millard was able to get Gene and Cowboy out on bond.

Unless there is a loop-hole in the law, I think that it is especially important to point out that none of the individuals arrested last night were read their rights at the time of their arrest.

Another piece of information is that there were some "mock" graves dug by the Jaycees to be used in this Halloween event. Chief Philip Sterling of the Lower Cherokee Nation saw them firsthand. He has made arrangements with the Lawrence County Sheriff (Grady Rose) for the two of them to go into the
park on Monday and take pictures. Of course, by then they will probably be filled. By digging these mock graves the Jaycees have violated yet another
law which requires a State Archaeological Representative to be present when any digging is done in a known burial site area.

Sunday Oct. 29, 2000 The Jaycees "Trail of Fears" is closed today because it is a "Christian" day of worship and a Halloween festival would not be appropriate. In my opinion, this is blatant hypocrisy and racism. They
close the park on their day of worship so that they do not offend any of the fine "Christian" people, but force Native Americans to tolerate the almost daily desecration of our sacred grounds. Enough said on the subject!!!

Monday Oct. 30, 2000 An agreement was reached earlier today that will provide an avenue to end the current protest. A meeting was called at the
Oakville Indian Mounds between Blue Clan Chief Millard Shelton, Lawrence County Chief Deputy Sheriff Jim Martin, Lawrence County Sheriff Grady Rose,
the President of the Lawrence County Jaycees, and Indian Rights Attorney Mr. Charles Yow from Boston. The following points of agreement were reached:
1) The Jaycees agreed to never again use the phrase "Trail of Fears".
2) The Jaycees agreed to immediately stop all advertisement in newspapers, on the radio, and on television.

We have come a long way using peaceful protest instead of violence. In everything we publish, our public appearances, and all our actions we must
remain peaceful.

Tuesday Oct. 31, 2000   

Approximately 45 to 50 of our people (including Cowboy) showed up for the ceremonial fire and blessing of the circle held on private land belonging to Army Chaplain Thomas H. Moody that adjoins the Oakville Park. 

Those present enjoyed  drumming and fellowship with their brothers and sisters.  Blue Clan Vice Chief Gene Gold was unable to attend due to injuries suffered at the hands of the police during his arrest last Saturday night.  The remaining protest signs were burned to signify and end to this portion of the struggle. 

Another cleansing ceremony was held at the burial mound.  We have performed a cleansing ceremony every night that the Jaycees' degrading Halloween event has been held.

Evidently, the drumming and ceremonies became too much for one of the female Jaycees, or maybe she is called a Jayceette, to bear in silence.  She began to sing a "song" or a chant that contained the words "Minnie Minnie Ha Ha who have you killed tonight?"  Some of our people remembered this as a portion of a perverse rhyme indicating that a Native American went around murdering people in the dark of night. 

Obviously, the "song" was intended to inflict additional pain and ridicule on our people.  Will these Jaycees never learn?

Haven't they insulted, degraded, and humiliated us enough?  

We have come a long way using peaceful protest instead of violence.  In everything we publish, our public appearances, and all our actions we must remain peaceful.

To complain about the "Trail of Fears" contact:
Lawrence County Board of Education at 256-905-2400 or FAX to 256-905-2406 Lawrence County Commissioners Office at 256-974-2401

Web site for updated information:
http://blue-clan-echota-news.cjb.net

Jack Stone
Councilman - Blue Clan
Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama


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