Fond Du Lac Reservation Rallies Against Violence
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FOND DU LAC RESERVATION - Just days after a woman's body is discovered on the Fond du Lac Reservation, neighbors are saying enough is enough.A community wide protest kicked off there Monday in an effort to stop the drug and violent activity.
"In order for us to clean up our community we have to start saying something," protest organizer Bettina Johnson said.
Nearly 50 protestors gathered on the Fond du Lac Reservation to shed light on issues casting dark shadows on their community.
"I just think that it all needs to stop,” said rally protestor Tanisha Martineau. “It is like getting out of hand."
Protestors say the violence, drugs, burglaries and gang activity have had a negative impact.
"I like don't feel safe walking anymore by myself and stuff," said Martineau.
"It's scary to think that that is this what my kids are gonna grow up to live in in a community like this,” said Johnson.
They marched in silence, hoping their unity and signs bring about a healthier, drug and violence free neighborhood.
"Maybe there are people that are using drugs and have violent intentions that are gonna be driving on the reservation today and hopefully they see us," said Johnson.
"Anybody that's down in the dumps right now we gotta push them up, we gotta help them," said rally protestor Jarvis Paro.
High profile cases like the Trina Langenbrunner murder, the Cromwell homicides, Native mob activity and last week's discovery of Cristyna Watson’s body have hit the community hard.
"It touched everybody here,” said Paro." "Having something like that happen we don't want it here, nobody wants it here."
They say the criminal activity has also misrepresented the reservation.
"When something happens up here the reservation a lot of negative comments come about and that's not the way we are," said Paro.
"We're a wonderful community, as you can see we come together when things are put in place,” said Johnson.
Organizers say the march is just the beginning. A community brainstorming meeting will be held Oct. 11 at the Cloquet Community Center from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m.
