Greeted and Honored by Native Americans at Glen Cove Sacred Shellmounds (Day 2 of March to

Greeted and Honored by Native Americans at Glen Cove Sacred Shellmounds (Day 2 of March to Sacramento)

By Jonathan Nack May 3, 2011

OAKLAND, CA – An intrepid band of marchers was greeted warmly at the Native American camp that is defending the sacred Shellmounds located in Glen Cove, California.

The marchers are on their way from San Francisco to Sacramento to demand a just budget for California. They set out on Sunday from San Francisco on May 1, following their participation in a May Day march and rally there. [ http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/05/01/18678636.php ]

The camp at Gen Cove was set up April 14, 2011, to stop the City of Vallejo from desecrating the ancient burial site by allowing unchecked development of the land. [ http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/05/02/18678668.php ] Since it's establishment, hundreds of Native Americans and other people have visited the camp to express their support.

The camp has set up a web site with a daily journal chronicling what is happening there, called “Protect Glen Cove.” [ http://protectglencove.org/ ]

Day two of the march to Sacramento, could not have been more propitious and full of well wishes, and inspirational for the marchers. The marchers are part of the “Strike May 2011,” actions. [ http://strikemay2011ca.org/ ; also see http://strikemay2011.com/ for a schedule of each day's events. ]

The Glen Cove camp to defend the sacred Shellmounds, welcomed the marchers with open arms, and invited them to join them for lunch. After sharing food, the marchers were honored with a healing ceremony in the camp's sacred circle, of a fire, an altar of sacred objects on a blanket, and a ceremonial pole ornamented with large white feathers.

After, leaving Glen Cove, the marchers went through downtown Vallejo carrying two of their big banners. The largest one was carried by five marchers and read, “Tax the Rich.” The other demanded, “End $$ for Wars; End Tax Breaks for Rich and their Corporations!”.

The marchers were very well received by passing motorists on busy Sonoma Boulevard, as evidenced by many a great many honks in support, and thumbs up which emerged out of car windows.