Since 1970, Indigenous people & their allies have gathered at noon on Cole’s Hill in Plymouth to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on the US Thanksgiving holiday. Many Native people do not celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrims & other European settlers. Thanksgiving Day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands and the erasure of Native cultures. Participants in National Day of Mourning honor Indigenous ancestors and Native resilience. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection, as well as a protest against the racism and oppression that Indigenous people continue to experience worldwide.
National Day of Mourning
Thursday, November 28, 2024
12:00 Noon
Cole’s Hill (above Plymouth Rock), Plymouth, MA
Join us as we continue to create a true awareness of Native peoples and history. Help shatter the untrue image of the Pilgrims, and the unjust system based on white supremacy, settler colonialism, sexism, homophobia and the profit-driven destruction of the Earth that they and other European settlers introduced to these shores.
Solidarity with Indigenous struggles throughout the world!
From Turtle Island to Palestine, Colonialism is a Crime!
Free Leonard Peltier! www.freeleonardpeltiernow.org
While many supporters will attend in person, we will also livestream the event from Plymouth.
Orientation for the National Day of Mourning 11/28/24
- What is the National day of Mourning?
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An annual tradition since 1970, National Day of Mourning is a solemn, spiritual and highly political day. Many of us fast from sundown the day before through the afternoon of that day (and have a social after NDOM so that participants in NDOM can break their fasts). We are mourning our ancestors and the genocide of our peoples and the theft of our lands. NDOM is a day when we mourn, but we also feel our strength in action and solidarity.
- When and where is the Day of Mourning?
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Thursday, November 28, 2024 (U.S. “thanksgiving” day) at Cole’s Hill, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 12 noon SHARP. Cole’s Hill is the hill above Plymouth Rock in the Plymouth historic waterfront area. The rallies and marches will last until approximately 3 pm (sometimes later).
- Will there be a march?
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Yes, there will be a march through the historic district of Plymouth. Plymouth agreed, as part of the settlement of 10/19/98, that UAINE may march on National Day of Mourning without the need for a permit as long as we give the town advance notice.
Program
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Although we very much welcome our non-Native supporters to stand with us, it is a day when only Indigenous people speak about our history and the struggles that are taking place. Speakers are by invitation only. This year’s NDOM will also be livestreamed from Plymouth:
- Note that NDOM is not a commercial event, so we ask that people do not sell merchandise or distribute leaflets at the outdoor program. We will have UAINE and Peltier t-shirts available for sale following the march.
- We also ask that you do not eat (unless you must do so for medical reasons) at the outdoor speak-out and march out of respect for the participants who are fasting.
- Dress for the weather!
- Social
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There will be box lunches available, but we will not have a full sit-down social due to ongoing health concerns.
- Transportation
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We will also post information about buses and carpools from NY (Brooklyn and Bronx), CT, western MA, Boston, Maine and elsewhere if applicable at the UAINE Facebook event and other social media.
- Elders/disabled people
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We have some chairs available for any Elders and disabled people who need to sit during the initial rally on Cole’s Hill. We also will have ASL interpreters on-stage.
- Masks
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We want to ensure that no one gets sick from attending National Day of Mourning, especially immunocompromised and other vulnerable people. Please wear a mask! We will have some masks available in Plymouth for attendees as well.
- Donations
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While we are grateful for your donations to UAINE, we want to urge everyone to make donations to organizations that are currently able to have a direct impact for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Here are a few that have been recommended: Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, ANERA, Middle East Children’s Alliance, 1for3.org, Gaza Mental Health Foundation, MSF (Doctors Without Borders) Crips for E-sims, CareforGaza.
You can donate directly to UAINE here. We will also have a cash blanket dance as usual to support Leonard Peltier.
- For updates
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Please join and check out the UAINE facebook group for updates on National Day of Mourning this year. Our website uaine.org will be updated, but not as quickly or frequently. Facebook event, Twitter & Insta.