OGLALA, SOUTH DAKOTA - JUMPING BULL PROPERTY
June 26, 2000 Will Mark 25 Years Since The Incident At Oglala
Local Residents of Pine Ridge Call For Truth, Reconciliation, and Freedom
For Leonard Peltier
CONTACT:
ROBERT QUIVER, COORDINATOR OF THE LAKOTA STUDENT ALLIANCE (605) 867-1507
tatankanajin@hotmail.com
WHAT: PRESS CONFERENCE
WHERE: OGLALA, SOUTH DAKOTA, JUMPING BULL PROPERTY
WHEN: JUNE 26, 2000 AT 11:00AM
WHO: JEAN DAY, NILAK BUTLER, NORMAN BROWN, DINO BUTLER, EDGAR BEAR RUNNER,
ROSLYNN JUMPING BULL AND BRUCE ELLISON
WHY: June 26, 2000 will mark 25 years since a shoot-out at Oglala on the
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation would culminate in the deaths of two FBI
agents and one member of the American Indian Movement. Still today, a
quarter century later, the incident remains vivid in the hearts and minds of
all who were affected. On June 26, 2000 members of the American Indian
Movement who resided on the Jumping Bull Ranch where the incident occurred,
and local residents of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, will gather in
Oglala to call for healing. This will be the first time many have seen each
other or discussed the incident since it occurred. In the early morning,
ceremonies will be held for AIM member Joseph Killsright Stuntz and FBI
agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams, all of whom were killed during the
fatal shoot-out.
Jean Day, an AIM member who lived on the ranch, invited the families of the
agents to the ceremonies. "They share a common grief with us. We too lost
many of our loved ones during that time. We are not enemies," she said.
Between 1973 and 1976, 64 people affiliated with the American Indian
Movement were murdered, but virtually no prosecutions were brought against
those responsible. Those participating in the gathering are asking that the
loss of their loved ones also be recognized so that reconciliation can
begin. They say that the tragic deaths of the FBI agents were amongst
numerous tragedies that occurred during the era, mostly against local
traditionalists. They are also asking for the release of Leonard Peltier
who has served some 24 years for the deaths of the agents despite the
government's admittance that they do not know who shot them. His release
they say, would be the first step in balancing the scales of justice and
closing a chapter of history wrought with conflict.
Those participating will attend strategy meetings to develop ways to bring
both truth and reconciliation to what was a very violent and turbulent time
on Pine Ridge. "You will find that governments all over the world, from
South Africa to Germany, are admitting past mistakes in an effort to bring
peace and closure to prior conflicts," said Bruce Ellison, former Wounded
Knee Legal Offense/Defense Committee attorney, "now we are asking the US
government to do the same."
Call the White House Comments Line Today
Demand Justice for Leonard Peltier! 202-456-1111
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
PO Box 583
Lawrence, KS 66044
785-842-5774
www.freepeltier.org
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