NATIVE HAWAIIANS TO PROTEST ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF HAWAI'I
"Living Nation” Will Showcase Broad Opposition To
Federal Recognition With Recreation Of Dramatic 1893 Event
Honolulu, Hawai’i – Native Hawaiians, and supporters from near and far, will gather in a massive demonstration of unity. They’ll be voicing their outrage at continuing illegal US occupation and the impending loss of Hawaiian rights, resources and nationhood that would result from Akaka Bill federal recognition.
The Living Nation campaign to “End US Occupation / Stop the Akaka Bill” kicks off this Friday and Saturday, January 16th and 17th, at ‘Iolani Palace, historic seat of governance and residence of Hawaiian Monarchs.
A special activity, directly across King Street at Ali`iolani Hale, will feature a dramatic recreation of the 1893 threat by US military forces against Queen Lili’uokalani. “Armed US Marines” will march to the site and stand in “silent tableaux” as Hawaiian interpreters recount the historical event.
“We are outraged that the United States continues to oppress our Nation,” says Lynette Cruz, event co-coordinator. ”We will oppose and defeat any governance process not freely endorsed by a majority of Hawaiian national descendants. We welcome allies in rebuilding our Nation.”
Wealthy sugar barons, assisted by US agents and military forces, illegally overthrew the internationally recognized Hawaiian Monarchy in 1893. In 1993, President Clinton and Congress formally apologized for that illegal act of war, admitting that Hawaiian nationhood and sovereignty had, in fact, never been relinquished.
“The truth is, an overwhelming majority of Hawaiians oppose the Akaka bill and federal recognition, despite false claims to the contrary. We will show Hawai’i, the United States and the world that federal and state agents cannot misrepresent the true will of the Hawaiian Nation,” declared Cruz.
For more information, call Mel Kalahiki at (808) 236-3636 or Lynette Cruz at (808) 738-0084.
View a detailed schedule of events and participants at www.livingation.org
