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STURGIS, S.D. -
The Gathering of Nations to Defend Bear Butte camp at Bear Butte
Mountain took the message directly to the bikers at the 66th Sturgis
Motorcycle Rally.
They may be of
more help than politicians in stopping the proliferation of
mega-sized biker bars.
The political
leadership of Meade County, where Bear Butte is located, has ignored
all pleas and arguments presented by many tribal leaders about the
sacredness of the mountain to more than 60 nations. The county has
issued liquor and malt liquor licenses to venues that are located
near Bear Butte.
That the mountain
is a sacred location to pray, and that peace and quiet is necessary,
has escaped any political decisions. A campground with a malt
beverage license is located at the base of Bear Butte, and patrons
must drive by the Gathering of Nations encampment.
The County Line,
owned by Jay Allen, has triggered protests and testimony during
commission meetings on the malt liquor license. It is located just
two miles north of Bear Butte. Allen has boasted that the County Line
will be the world's largest biker bar.
Gary Lippold,
owner of the new Glencoe Campground just south of Bear Butte, told
National Public Radio that his 50,000-seat amphitheater is progress,
which is needed to create jobs to keep young people from leaving the
state. Glencoe is open for one week.
Lippold also said
on NPR that the American Indian nations were impeding progress.
The next step was
to take the message to the bikers themselves. Outside the county
courthouse hundreds of protesters chanted: ''Don't ride 79.'' This
was in reference to the highway number that passed Bear Butte and the
road bikers will travel to get to the County Line Campground.
Many people,
warriors, donned face masks as a symbol of centuries of invisibility.
Vic Camp, an
organizer of the Gathering of Nations, said bikers came to the
encampment for information. Camp said they discussed the issue, and
the bikers said they would pass the word along to all they know to
not ride to the bars near Bear Butte.
''We don't oppose
the partying, but do that in town. We don't want partying near Bear
Butte,'' Camp said.
''The politicians
didn't want to listen to their own people,'' Camp said. Petitions to
allow the voters to decide on malt beverage and liquor licenses were
rejected by the county commissioners.
Flyers and word of
mouth are the methods now used during the rally to get the word out
about the sacredness of Bear Butte and how many nations feel about
the encroachment of loud and lewd behavior.
Protesters chanted
over the roar of the bikes, some of which were revved up just to
drown the chanters out. One biker even gave a drive-by finger.
Horns and waves
were also noticed and interpreted as signs of support.
''It's about the
land and water and our attempt to keep our way of life and
uniqueness,'' said Carrie Dann, Western Shoshone and no newcomer to
conflict against government and corporate encroachment on lands.
Phillip Whiteman
Jr., Northern Cheyenne, said the Cheyenne spiritual leader Sweet
Medicine brought the medicine bundle for the Cheyenne from Bear Butte
and said the Cheyenne must follow a structure.
''If we did not
follow the structure we would return to unbalance. Today is what our
prophet or teacher talked about.
''Today is sad
that we have to come here and protect our land. It's a sad day that
we have to continue this fight,'' Whiteman said.
The fight to
protect Bear Butte is not over. Organizers promised to attend the
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally every year to continue spreading the word
about the meanings attached to the mountain.
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