A sampling of messages on the signs includes the following:

• If Klamath Falls... Who is next?!?
• Fact: Low Lake Levels Suckers Survived. Sailboat Science?
• Michigan supports Oregon farmers.
• We’ve been suckered.
• Fish 100%, Farmers 0%.
• Welcome to the Klamath Federal Zoo. (Home of) Constitutional Traitors, please don’t feed them.
• Farmers’ Park donated by Bureau of Reclamation.
• I’m endangered and threatened too.
• Hey Kitzhaber here’s your sign stupid.
• Government by the people, of the people, for the fish?
• An opinion is just that.
• We supported you Bush/ Cheney... Now please support us.

There are also signs with familiar calls such as “Share the water,” “Open the headgates,” and “Amend the ESA.”

Some of the signs are pointed at the federal authorities guarding the headgates, including one that states, “You are cordially invited to Thanksgiving dinner.”

Text of Marni Marrow's letter to the government:

From: Marni Morrow
Klamath Falls, Oregon

Date: June 10, 2001

To: United States House of Representatives
Committee on Resources
Washington, DC

Re: Klamath Basin Oregon Water Crisis
Northern California Water Crisis

Title: I Stand My Ground

My name is Marni Morrow and I am a proud enrolled member of the Klamath - Modoc - Yahooskin tribes. I am also a proud family member of some of the farmers and ranchers within the Klamath Basin. Equally is my pride in knowing that like you, I am an American.

The issues pertaining to "The People's Rights to Water" and the devastating crisis that we are all forced to contend with here in southern Oregon and northern California greatly concerns me, not only for the future of my tribe's people, but for the future of my community of our farmers and ranchers as well.

Unfortunately, it is obvious that someone has moved into our community with an agenda filled with nothing more -- and nothing less -- than to use and to pit one good neighbor against the other. It is also obvious to the majority of the citizens here, both Native American Indian and non-Native American Indian, that this is being done for the strict purpose of anti-American ways and means.

In this community we have the Klamath Tribes who did not sell out their "water rights" through the signed treaty of 1864. We also have the farmers and the ranchers, people who have worked long and hard to make their land shares as prosperous and as well maintained as they are today -- well at least it was until some anti-American eco-extremists found their way to get to the weakest links of our elected government officials, and had all of our irrigation waters shut off from us. These agriculture families bought and paid for their land and their water rights through signed legal contracts. Others were awarded their land share and water rights form the government of the United States of America through what was called the "Pickle-Jar Lottery" of 1946. These men are our American Veterans, who fought during WWI and WWII to keep our nation safely protected and independently free.

I have read and reread my tribal treaty of 1864 and find no mention whatsoever in regards to how much water is to be provided to the Tribes for our fish and wildlife habitat and our cultural needs from the lakes and rivers of this area. I feel that this open-end loophole in our treaty needs to be addressed and answered honestly, justifiably and fairly for everyone in our community. I also believe that until an agreement is reached in this matter, that the irrigation waters now being withheld from us should be released and provided in fair share immediately -- if not sooner.

The agriculture portion of my community brings in revenue of approximately $200 million per year. This, as you know, is a very important factor in the survival of our community and the state of Oregon. If you allow our agricultural livelihoods to break down here, I truly hope that you realize that it will not be done without a fight.

The people of southern Oregon and northern California know that there is no other country in the world that has the ability or the good intentions of providing food to the people of the United States of America. If you elected government officials force our country into reliance and dependence upon any other country for our own survival, then you need to know your own destiny in leadership is at risk as well.

The conflicts of interests that the people in my community are now being confronted with is and has been masterminded and set forth by U.S. elected government leaders in partnership with organized and federally funded radical individuals and groups such as Wendell Wood and the Endangered Species Act. This man has done nothing but cause chaos and unrest for everyone in the Klamath and Tulelake areas. It seems to me and many other tribal members that this individual has also taken it upon himself to direct the business of the Klamath Tribes -- without our knowledge or our approval. Many of us do not even know who he is or where he came from. What we do know is that he is making a mockery of the Klamath Tribes and our culture. And he is not well liked or cared for here.

As for the Endangered Species Act, I believe that it definitely needs to be Amended if not Abolished altogether! No creature of the earth should ever be permitted to take over the survival of the human being. The E.S.A. has been provided some $ 6.3 million to ensure the safe keeping of wildlife and its habitat, within reason. However, the individuals of this organization have caused a massive list of lawsuits against it and the United States, the legal cost of which already by far exceeds $6.3 million. The United States cannot afford the E.S.A.!

As I said to Oregon Governor Kitzhaber, I tell you now, "To feed and water the people of the country is American. To deprive the people of this country of our water and food is only communism!" I stand my ground about this. And I will stand and fight to the end for the freedom and the independence of my country's people! We are One Nation Under God.

It has been said by some that the farmers and ranchers need for water is only "greed." This could not be any further from the truth of the matter of fact. The water they are requesting and which they paid for is only about 3% of what the area's waterbeds hold. Further the water that is needed by the farmers in this areas is also "recycled" 3-4 times during a growing season.

I personally feel that as an enrolled member of the Klamath Tribes, a member of a farm and ranch family, and a citizen of this community I have the right to, and do request that my share of the waters be released for irrigation purposes now.

I further believe that Wendell Wood and others like him should be the ones to fall under closer examination as to the nature of their real agenda. I am disgusted and very angry that this man and Andrew Kerr and Felix Pace have been allowed by our government officials to carry out such chaos and perpetual damage to the Klamath Tribes and our Agricultural families here to this once peaceful and united community.

It is becoming ever so obvious that certain people of this country are doing their best to cause unrest for everyone in the nation, and to bring us into a One-World Order. It is a time that we must all decide where we now stand. But more importantly, it is a time that we all need to let God alone be our leader and our right of way. This is His world, not ours. This is not an issue of race and individual beliefs. It is a matter of what is right and what is wrong.

God Bless America, please.

Sincerely yours,
Marni C. Morrow