America's Hemp Warrior: Alex White Plume

"That Buffalo is a Hemp-fed buffalo." - White Plume
"The DEA wants to say that this is the same as Marijuana... They (Lakota) want to make bracelets and paper - just make a living." - The Attorney

Alex White Plume is the former Tribal President of the Oglala (Lakota) Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. His family struggle to help sustain his tribe by growing Industrial Hemp on THEIR sovereign Native American Reservation shows the amazing waste and opposition that the "war on drugs" has produced. The first crop of disputed Hemp was in 1998-2000, but White Plume has been involved in Hemp production for a number of years. There are a number of legal issues related to this case, but I will focus on the personal side so that you can become more acquainted with the real cost of ignoring common sense in favor of out dated opinions.

In a radio interview yesterday, on progressive station am 540 show "What's Up? With Lynne and Michael Heller" (Monterey, CA), White Plume recounted his many struggles and the harassment he and his Tribe have faced while trying to farm a form of the Marijuana plant which can not be used for "drug" purposes. The first Hemp harvest was to be celebrated with the local law enforcement present to usher in a new age of good will - and to put an end to devastating Tribal poverty. Instead White Plume and his family where subject to a tax-payer funded $500,000 armed raid on his Tribal Land. This is an economically destitute area where that kind of money would have been put to much better use - like feeding people. The violent police action was done without warning or the involvement of Tribal Police. To me this is an example of the continued abuse that Native Americans must endure at the hands of the Government. Hemp is a wonderful source for oil, textiles, food - you name it, the product can be made. I feel that the continued intimidation of Mr. White Plume is an outrage. He is now not even able (by Court Order) to destroy his own Hemp crop in order to plant something else that could sustain his family. It seems that in favor of common sense the Government has chosen to make a loud, costly point. Though I, nor any person who has any common decency, know what it is. Thank you for being a Warrior for the rights of Native People, and of all human rights, Alex White Plume.

If anyone is interested in Supporting Mr. White Plume's Efforts, They may do so via:

Alex White Plume
P.O. Box #71
Manderson, South Dakota 57756

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niKW21ljPk8