"It was a time to remember those who have lost their lives, and area Native Americans joined together in celebration and memory.

Hundreds of Native Americans participated in the memorial walk Saturday, each with their own family or friend in mind, and each hoping for peace among men. Leon Spencer walked alone, carrying a photo of his son, Kenneth W. Brown, who was killed in May 2002, while working at a Jack in the Box restaurant in Mesa, Ariz. One of the killers later told police in a letter that his motive "was to rid the world of a few needless illegals." Spencer, who lives near the Burnham Chapter on the Navajo Reservation, said he wanted to be part of the walk because, "It's a healthy experience for everybody. People need to know that there are people who are hurting because of racial hatred. We need to keep people aware that it still exists."

Many of those who took part in the walk, did so to raise awareness of discrimination against races in the towns that border the Navajo Reservation. "We need to exercise our civil rights and that is exactly what we are doing today," said Manuel Heart, chairman of the Ute Mountain Tribe. "Exercising the right to go (to) the neighboring towns to shop, to live, to work without being discriminated against."

No matter where you live in this great country, no matter the ethnicity of your forefathers, discrimination can � and does � exist. It is with peaceful events such as the memorial walk that remind us that we must judge people by their actions, their words and their deeds, and not by their ethnicity."

Get the Story:
Editorial: The memorial walk is just the beginning (The Farmington Daily Times 9/5)

Relevant Links:
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org
Navajo Nation Council - http://www.navajonationcouncil.org

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