By Kathy Durkin
November 10, 2018
National Day Of Mourning- Plymouth Mass
The 49th National Day of Mourning will take place on Thursday, Nov. 22, the so-called “Thanksgiving” holiday, in Plymouth, Mass. Participants will gather at noon on Cole’s Hill above Plymouth Rock and march through the town’s historic district. A speak-out, where Native people tell of their history and today’s struggles of Indigenous peoples throughout the Americas, will be followed by a potluck social.
United American Indians of New England, organizer of the day’s commemoration, issued an appeal on its website for “respectful allies to unite with us in our struggle to create a true awareness of Native peoples and demonstrate the unity of Indigenous peoples internationally. Help shatter the untrue, glass image of the Pilgrims and the unjust system based on racism, sexism, homophobia and the profit-driven destruction of the Earth.”
Since 1970, UAINE has planned the National Day of Mourning on “Thanksgiving,” a day that is a reminder of the genocide of Native peoples, theft of Indigenous lands and assaults on Native culture. Participants honor Native ancestors and the struggles of Indigenous peoples to survive today. “It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest against the racism and oppression which Native people continue to experience,” says UAINE.
This year the group vows: “We will show our solidarity with Indigenous struggles throughout the world. We will defend Indigenous sovereignty in all territories, from Mashpee to Maya and Mapuche lands. We welcome all of our Indigenous relations who have been crossed by the U.S. border and Immigration Customs and Enforcement.”
There will be a special message from 74-year-old Native political prisoner Leonard Peltier.
This very important annual day of solidarity draws Native people and their supporters from throughout Massachusetts, other New England states and beyond. Here is information on buses traveling from New York City to Plymouth.
Manhattan: The International Action Center will send a bus to Plymouth, leaving at 6 a.m. sharp from the Solidarity Center at 147 W. 24th St., second floor, in Manhattan. It will depart from Plymouth at 4:30 p.m. and return to New York at about 9:30 p.m. Purchase tickets in advance at the Solidarity Center from 2 to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets cost $30-$45/sliding scale. Buy your tickets now! For information, call 633-6646 or go to IACenter.org.
Brooklyn: Eritye Papa Desalin is organizing a bus, which leaves at 6 a.m. from 208 Parkside Ave. (between Flatbush and Ocean avenues). Tickets cost $30. Contact Dahoud Andre at 347-730-3620 or email erityepapadesalin@gmail.com.
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The United American Indians of New England annually hosts the Day of Mourning in Plymouth, Massachusetts. There are talks by native people, religious ceremonies and a march around Plymouth, culminating in a dinner for all participants.
