After spending 30 hours in airplanes and airports getting home from Australia were I had just finished Sacred Run 2000. I arrived home to find out that the TAB protest in Cincinnati would be the next morning starting at 8:00 am. I called Dan Baylog to find out about a ride to get to this action/march and he was going so I told him that I wanted to go but let me see how I feel the jet lag was pretty bad right now. This was at about 10pm; at 7 am I was still awake so I figured what better way for me to celebrate being back in the US. I called Dan and he picked me up on the way down. I took the Free Peltier banner with me and as I promised people in Australia I also took the Aboriginal flag with me. There were probably 1000 people from all different walks of life. My friend Will Whyte was going to be one of the speakers at the end of the march and he asked if we would like to come up on stage with him. Of course we were happy to any time that I can put Peltier's name up front I do.

It was a peace march there is a great feeling that you get of hope when so many people gather for one common goal. I did a few interviews mainly because people were interested in the Aboriginal flag. Wanting to know what it was and what it represents. And of course the Peltier banner. The banner was carried by Dan, Sonny, (from the AIM Support Group OH and N. KY.) Jon Blickenstaff and myself.

The thing that inspired me the most was how many young people were involved. It is always good to see young activist. There were a lot of good speakers and Food not Bombs was passing out food to the marchers. Good HOT food I emphasize hot because it was freezing that day. Will was the last one to speak and the day had gone really smoothly. I was standing behind Will and I could see the town clock from were I was at and 4 of the roads that led into the square. We had the square permitted until 3:00 and it was about 5 minutes till.

Will was finishing up his speech and then I noticed that police vehicles were pulling up on the roads that I could see. I have been in this situation before you pick your route of escape and that way if anything happens you know which way to go. I didn't understand why this was going to happen it had been a very peaceful march and rally. At 3 pm sharp I heard the first tear gas canister get fired and I remember thinking to myself that was just totally unnecessary. The crowed started to scatter and you could just instantly feel the mood change from this great feeling of peace and hope to we're being attacked. As I climbed down off the stage I saw some of the protesters picking up and throwing the tear gas canisters back at the police. I also noticed that the food not bombs people were struggling to get their things together and get out. So I stopped to help them they had some large containers with food and I got on one side and Dan got on the other side and together we all started running away from the tear gas. We took a left on the first street that lead away from the square there were about six of us in the group.

As soon as we turned a big green van pulled up to us stopped and about 6 or 7 people in green riot gear all leapt from the van guns pulled and were screaming "WHATS IN THE CONTAINERS!!!!" and they just kept screaming that over and over without letting anyone respond. I just took a second to catch my breath and looked strait into the eyes of the one screaming at me and said calmly but firmly Food. It instantly defused him. I kept eye contact with him but there was one off to my left continuing to just scream at this girl that was noticeably shaken his gun still out and forcing her to open the container full of chili. I didn't look over at him until I knew that Dan had the attention of the guy in front of me when I did look over I saw this young woman who couldn't have been more than 20, 21 tops almost in tears and this police officer just abusing his power. Or at least the power that he believes he has. I turned back and looked at the police officer I was dealing with, with a look of true disgust he then ordered the other officer to back off and he did but with resistance he didn't want to stop his ego trip. We continue up the street to the church that was hosting us. After we got everything in the church I took a few minutes to think about what just happened and I felt proud. Proud of how the people that I ran with they stood their ground even afraid they knew what was right and believed enough in that to continue. As for me hey I had only been back in the country less than 24 hours and I am already getting tear-gassed I had to laugh at myself a little.

I went back down to the square the tear gas had stopped and I ran into my friend Jon Blickenstaff and he was looking for his son Jacob. The last thing I told him was well don't go that way pointing towards the more aggressive area I said you know with you being a teacher you don't want to end up arrested. He said okay and headed off to find his son later that night I found out that him and his son were both arrested. Well good for them. And as for me after being awake for 3 day's I finally got some sleep I guess I just needed some exercise.

Jim Toren, reporting