NATIVE HAWAIIANS TO MARCH ON US WEST COAST FOR HAWAIIAN INDEPENDENCE
Aloha March Scheduled In San Francisco Bay Area This Weekend
Descendants of the Hawaiian Kingdom want their independence back and will bring that message to the San Francisco Bay area Sunday, October 19th as Native Hawaiians and their supporters stage an Aloha March.
With the theme “Free Hawai’i,” participants will spread the word on the Hawaiian sovereignty movement and the goal to return the islands to an independent nation status. Marchers will also express their opposition to a US backed plan to locate Hawaiians on reservations through a federal recognition program.
The Aloha Marches of 1998 and 2000 in Washington, DC brought unprecedented national and international media coverage to the plight of Native Hawaiians.
“Our native brothers and sisters will march with us in solidarity,” remarked Paul Keaoha Blake, a Berkeley resident and Native Hawaiian expatriate. “We expect Hawaiians from all over the Bay area to participate in this Aloha March.”
While Native Hawaiians have struggled for decades to regain the lands and political rights of their predecessors, the movement achieved national attention in 1993 when Congress and President Clinton passed the “Apology Bill” (US Public Law 103-150,) admitting US participation in the illegal act of war against the Hawaiian Kingdom.
“We want real change now, not more spare change,” states Kai’opua Fyfe of the Kauai-based Koani Foundation Aloha March sponsor. “Can you imagine losing your land and self-governance, and 110 years later still striving to get it back?
The Aloha March will begin Sunday at noon at the San Leandro Library Theatre, 300 Estudillo Ave, (two blocks east of East 14th.) There will be a variety of activities including music, dancing and informational. Marchers are encouraged to wear native dress.
