Concert benefits Longest Walk 2

On Nov. 2, legendary singer Taj Mahal and Kris Kristofferson, author of noted songs “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Help

Taj Mahal performs to benefit the Longest Walk 2. Photo: Gloria La Riva

Me Make Through the Night,” headlined a San Francisco benefit concert for the upcoming Longest Walk 2. Hundreds of people filled the famed Fillmore hall for an evening of music and motivation for the walk. The evening ended with the stirring American Indian Movement drum song for Leonard Peltier, now in his 32nd year of unjust imprisonment.

The Longest Walk 2 will kick off from Alcatraz Island on Feb. 11, 2008, and proceed along two routes until the walkers reach Washington, D.C. on July 11, 2008. Commemorating the historic first Longest Walk of 1978, it is being organized by American Indian Movement co-founder Dennis Banks.

The first walk was held in response to a major threat to Indian sovereignty. Thirty years ago, U.S. Congressmembers had produced 11 bills of legislation that would have abrogated U.S. treaties with Native American nations. Hundreds of Native American activists and other supporters marched over 3,600 miles from California to Washington DC, to oppose the attack on Indian sovereignty.

The walk was successful in stopping the legislation. The theme of the Longest Walk 2 is: “All Life is Sacred, Save Mother Earth.”

Participation is open to all for any length of the routes, which will follow U.S. 80 and U.S. 40 highway routes. The southern route will detour to travel to New Orleans to show solidarity with the communities hit by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Supplies and donations are needed. To register and/or support, visit: longestwalk.org.