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Seneca Nation to hold Peace Walks today

CATTARAUGUS TERRITORY, IRVING — As Native Nations from across the country continue to gather at Cannon Ball, ND near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation to preserve sacred burial grounds and defend clean water rights against the Dakota Access Pipeline, the Seneca Nation and members of the Seneca community will show their support with a pair of Peace Walks on Monday afternoon.

On the Cattaraugus Territory, walkers will march from the Thruway bridge on Route 438 to the Bingo Hall on Route 5 in Irving. On the Allegany Territory, walkers will march from Veterans Memorial Park in Salamanca to the Seneca Iroquois National Museum on Broad Street. Marchers will begin gathering at the walk starting points at 11 a.m., and the Peace Walks will begin at noon.

“As Native people, we stand in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux and the many water protectors in their effort to preserve Mother Earth from the threat of the Dakota Access Pipeline,” said Seneca Nation President Todd Gates. “Many Seneca people have traveled to Standing Rock to join our brothers and sisters in their peaceful protest. While President Obama, in his own words, has decided to ‘let this one play out,’ we want those at Standing Rock to know the Seneca people support them.”

Despite word regarding the halt of construction for the Dakota Access Pipeline, the Nation’s planned Peace Walks will continue as scheduled today.

“The decision by the Army Corps of Engineers to honor the rights of the Standing Rock Sioux is a victory for all Native people.  The peaceful protest at Standing Rock displayed not only the solidarity of all Native people, but also strong support from non-Natives as well. Despite excessive force and treatment that was in clear violation of their civil rights, the peaceful protestors and the water protectors bravely stood strong in defense of what is right and sacred. We honor their determination and pray for their safety. Above all, today’s decision underscores that the rights of all Native people, the protection of our lands and the lawfulness of our treaties are sacrosanct and must be honored above corporate greed and other interests that look to diminish or destroy our sovereignty,” Gates said.

In addition to the Peace Walks, Nation members will conduct a boot drive at both events to support those at Standing Rock, and each walk will coincide with a prayer vigil, in Cattaraugus at the pocket park near the Routes 5 and 20 roundabout, and in Allegany near the Seneca Iroquois National Museum.

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