PEACEFUL MOLE LAKE PROTEST MET WITH VIOLENCE
Supporters, Observers, Ogitchida Requested
At 1:15 this morning, Saturday, May 24, a non-Indian private security
force hired by Mole Lake Tribal Chair Arlyn Ackley attacked the tribal
offices where tribal members have been staging a peaceful protest since
May 1.
Bill Koenen, a tribal environmental specialist, was beaten by the
club-wielding security force.
The Bingo Hall portion of the tribal offices was taken by security forces,
but the tribal members remain in other portions of the building.
Requests have been made from inside the building for supporters,
Ogitchida, and others concerned with a peaceful resolution to this
dispute to go to the Mole Lake Community in northeastern Wisconsin.
"The private force, WisCo Security out of Merrill, Wisconsin, was joined
by some local thugs fueled with some alcohol," said one eyewitness inside
the building.
At 4 am reports were that the tribal members were still inside the
building and were refusing to be removed. "We are still here protecting
the tribal records," said Koenen.
People interested in a peaceful resolution of the dispute are urged to
IMMEDIATELY call Vice Chairman Charles Fox at (715) 478-5048, Forest
County Sheriff Wilson at (715) 478-3331, and the WisCo Security firm at
(715) 536-8092.
For more information, contact the tribal members at (715) 367-2902. For
more background information on the dispute, and its relationship to the
proposed Exxon mine, see http://www.alphacdc.com.ien/notices/html or call
the Indigenous Environmental Network at (218) 751-4967 or (715) 779-5071.