On Tuesday, February 12th, representatives from hundreds of Native American nations participated in a ceremonial and cultural commencement for the Longest Walk 2, the 30-year anniversary of the historic 1978 Longest Walk. More than two hundred participants of the Longest Walk 2 have embarked on a five-month long trans-continental journey on foot from San Francisco. The walk will arrive in Washington, D.C. on July 11, 2008, bringing attention to issues of environmental injustice, protection of sacred sites, cultural survival, youth empowerment, and eroding Native American rights.

Members of the IBU and ILWU local 6 rallied with the walkers in Berkeley calling for the protection of a sacred site slated for development by UC Berkeley and for the return of ancestral remains from the university. Over a year ago many of the longest walk organizers, including the International Indian Treaty Council and members of The American Indian Movement, honored 2 IBU picket lines at Alcatraz Cruises. Since then IBU and ILWU members have been working closely with activists in the Native community to further build relationships and mutual aid for each other's struggles. Recent support has included fundraising to help save an Oakland based Native American community center, attending panel discussions on union organizing in Native communities and supporting the recent, successful, organizing drive at The Native American Health Centers.

In Sacramento Bill Camp, Executive Secretary, of the Sacramento Central Labor Council stated at a Longest Walk rally and press conference, "160,000 AFL & CIO families in the Sacramento area support your strength and vision because you are the future of this land. We stand in solidarity with you against the unrestrained pursuit of greed that is killing our mother the earth. Working people across this land support you."

Thank you to everyone in the IBU and ILWU who supported the walk. Special thanks goes out to everyone who attended the rally at UC Berkeley: Pedro de Sa (Local 6) and IBU members: Leslie Propheter, Jari Hytonen, Fausto Dulay and Robert Gregg. Further thanks to the Sacramento Labor Council for providing overnight lodging for the walk, insurance and additional resources.

Thanks to everyone for all your help.

An Injury to One is an Injury to All,

Sam Levens

IBU SF Region

Here is some information on what the Maritime Union of Australia is doing to support Aboriginal Australians:

http://www.mua.org.au/news/general/sorry.html [1]