The following information, though outdated a bit now, documented the fall 2002 raid in Crescent Valley, NV. The "Why" section is still valid in case any future raids occur, as the Bureau of Land Management has hinted that they will. The "What you can do" section still applies as well in case of future raids.

3:30 PM - Friday September 27th, 2002: All quiet in Crescent Valley...for now. Updates to follow.

12:52 PM - Tuesday September 24th, 2002: BLM suspends raids. Read this online story. More press coverage here from Indian Country Today.

1:45 PM - Monday, September 23, 2002: BLM ATTACK CONTINUES IN CRESCENT VALLEY - Crescent Valley (Newe Sogobia), Nevada  The Dann sisters and their supporters have been working nonstop to defend against the federal raid which is ongoing against Shoshone cattle in Crescent valley.

WHAT: The United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has attacked the Western Shoshone Nation, rounding up and stealing Shoshone cattle owned by two elderly Shoshone sisters, Carrie and Mary Dann.

WHEN: September 2002. Currently suspended.

WHY: The BLM is acting in response to what they say is "overgrazing" on the part of that Dann's, though this is NOT the real issue at hand. What the BLM's position means is that the Dann's have not let their cattle graze in a way which allows the land to rejuvenate after the cattle are finished feeding. What is really going on is that the BLM are attempting to eradicate a political threat seen in Carrie and Mary Dann, who are both outspoken critics of United States Indian affairs policy. The overgrazing issue is just an excuse to silence political opposition. If the BLM is successful over the next few days in stealing all of the Dann's cattle, then the Dann's will have lost their only source of income and will be financially crushed. At that time, the government will have succeeded in silencing some of the loudest opponents to plans to mine gold and geothermal power from under where the Dann's currently live. With the Dann's gone, the government and the mining companies it is working with stand to make a lot of money.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Call the Nevada State Director of the BLM, Robert Abbey and the Elko Regional Director of the BLM, Helen Hankins. Ask to speak to either of them directly when you call. Your call does not have to be incredibly detailed, but it does need to be polite and sincere. Tell them, or their voicemail, that you have heard about the situation in Crescent Valley and that you oppose what has happened on the grounds that the harassment of the Shoshone people is a human rights violation. The phone numbers are:

Robert Abbey: 777.861.6500
Helen Hankins: 775.753.0200

Those who live in the State of Washington can file the same protest, but with the office of Senator Maria Cantwell. Senator Cantwell sits on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, and the committee is currently reviewing a bill put forth by Senator Reid of Nevada which, if passed, will give a one time cash payout to each Shoshone person in exchange for lands stolen by the US Government in the 1800's. What you can say to Senator Cantwell is that you are a citizen of the State of Washington and that you oppose the human rights violations going on against the Danns. In your opinion, what Senator Cantwell can do to help is to oppose Senator Reid's bill, called S-958. Paying the Shoshone people a small amount of money will NOT solve the problem of Shoshone poverty, especially while the Shoshone are having their cattle - their only real source of income - stolen from them by the government. Call the Senator at: (202) 224-3441.

If you want more information before you call, email please contact the Western Shoshone Defense Project at 775-468-0230; e-mail wsdp@igc.org. You can also get in touch with Words As Weapons through greg@wordsasweapons.com