Originally published 01:24 p.m., June 13, 2008
Link to Original: KNOXnews.com

ATHENS, Tenn. - A group of approximately 40 American Indians and allies set out walking toward Knoxville from Athens before the sun rose this morning.

The walkers form the southern of two bands of a march called the Longest Walk II, which follows a route from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., and are expected to arrive this afternoon.

The march commemorates the 30th anniversary of the first Longest Walk, staged to protest what some saw as a continuing failure of the U.S. government to fulfill its treaties with American Indian tribes.

Participants hope to raise awareness about environmental stewardship and to press their concerns about preservation of sacred sites.

The marchers have been on the road for about four months. Each day they cover approximately 17 miles and then ride in vans for around 45 miles while runners from the group cover that distance. For many in the group, making the journey has required sacrifices.

"I sold my laptop ... my iPod ... everything," said Andrea Mullo, who is Azteca and who lived as a college student in San Francisco before setting off on the march.

She says she came on the trip in part to learn from elders from indigenous tribes across the continent. "I feel like the spirit is telling me to go back and learn where I'm from," Mullo said. "The best way I connect with the creator is through song and dance, and now through walking."

More details as they develop online and in Saturday's News Sentinel.

David