[from AIM Florida]
Wed, 16 May 2001
PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
Oglala, SD - "LET THE GREAT HEALING BEGIN"
The Lakota Student Alliance and the American Indian Movement Support Group
of Kansas are honored to announce the 2nd Annual Commemoration of Healing
for the Incident at Oglala.
On June 26th, 1975 agents Ron Williams and Jack Coler of the Federal Bureau
of Investigation entered the property of the Jumping Bull family in Oglala,
South Dakota. A firefight between the agents and members of the American
Indian Movement camped on the property, ensued which left both these agents
and AIM member Joe Stuntz Killsright dead. It also left AIM member Leonard
Peltier falsely incarcerated for the murders of Williams and Coler as well
as escalating the fear and intimidation already present on the Pine Ridge
Reservation. What has become known as the Reign Of Terror was only boosted
by these events.
June 26th, 2001 marks the 26th anniversary of these tragic events and the
2nd anniversary of commemorations of healing for all those involved.
Therefore, we invite the family members of Joe Stuntz Killsright, Leonard
Peltier, the American Indian Movement, the entire Indian Nations and, most
importantly, all the survivors and family members effected by the Reign of
Terror (1973-1976) to come together in Oglala, South Dakota for this healing
that must continue in order for us to progress.
The Commemoration will begin at sunrise with ceremonies led by Lakota Chief
Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf
Pipe. A memorial walk from the Jumping Bull property to the cemetary where
Joe Stuntz Killsright and Anna Mae Pictou Aquash are buried will take place
directly after the beginning ceremonies. Upon our return to the Jumping
Bull property, ceremonies of healing will take place and guest speakers will
share their feelings and thoughts.
The guest speakers include American Indian Movement co-founder, Dennis
Banks; AIM Grand Council Member and President of the National Coalition on
Racism in Sports and Media, Vernon Bellecourt; Wounded Knee (1973) Veteran,
Doc Rosen; AIM, Leonard Peltier Defense Committee member and Reign of Terror
Survivor, Jean Day; Author of Wisdomkeepers and Editor of Leonard Peltier's
autobiography, Prison Writings, My Life is My Sundance, Harvey Arden; and
Leonard Peltier's daughter, Marquetta Peltier.
In the evening hours a free concert for the youth and awareness will take
place at the Loneman School Gym in Oglala, South Dakota. Performers for
this concert include MicMac Songstress, Donna Augustine; Native American
Music Award Winner, Wayquay; Apache Hip-Hop artist, Redsoul; and long-time
activist and folk singer Jim Page. More performers for the concert will be
announced as they become available.
For more information on the Oglala Commemoration or for further press
coverage, please contact:
Andy Mader - (785) 235-9558
email: AIM2daBone@redpride.com
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