Walk for Justice - 23 Sept 1999
 
Walk for Justice, 23 Sept 1999
Roosevelt Park, Rapid City
Dennis Banks on mic (image 1)
Alfred Bone Shirt with "Stop Lakota Ethnic Cleansing Banner" (images 1 and 2)
Click on thumbnails for larger images
AIM Press Release SD March
From the Offices of: AMERICAN INDIAN MOVMENT
NATIONAL FIELD OFFICE
E-mail Address: AIM4JUSTCE@aol.com
Dear Friends,
Nowa Cumig AKA Dennis Banks and myself have just returned from
the Walk for Justice in Rapid City, SD. The walk and subsequent meetings
and events were extremely successful. This success would not have been
possible without your prayers, support and messages of good wishes,
which continue to strengthen us and all of Indian country.
Pilamaya
The walk organized at Roosevelt Park in Rapid City about 10 am. with
speeches by Nowa Cumig and several others. There was a heavy
media and police presence.
The marched began about 11am and moved from the park to
the federal building in Rapid.
At the federal building speeches regarding the deaths in Rapid, White
Clay, Mobridge as well as other places were addressed.
Nowa Cumig was the main speaker and was very motivating as usual.
The walk continued on to the Pennington County Courthouse where
more speeches were delivered.
Many people drove by and honked or waved their support. The march then
continued on to the Rapid CityPolice Station but stopped on the way
to sing & drum traditional songs outside the jail for the benefit of the
prisoners inside. At the Police station more speeches and statements
were made. Afterwards the march returned to Roosevelt Park and we
regrouped at the Oyate Center in Lakota Village in the northern section
of Rapid City. During the march the Rapid City Police were respectful
and accommodating, and in my view were not intimidating at all. ( No I'm
not on drugs ).
At the Oyate Center there were several representatives of area law
enforcement who agreed to discuss with us the issues surrounding the
Rapid Creek murders. Included were the Pennington County Sheriff, two
investigators from the Rapid City Police Department and a Deputy
Sheriff (who had been working in plain clothes throughout the march). Nowa
Cumig, Mark White Bull (Mobridge) and myself convened with these people in
a private office for discussions. As promised, a representative of U.S.
Senator Tom Daschle's office, joined the discussion via phone
hook up. The law enforcement officers were very forthcoming with
information regarding their efforts in solving the Rapid Creek
murders and efforts in preventingadditional assaults on Indian people.
Much of the information provided to us is confidential and could compromise
ongoing investigations if listed here so I won't.
Quite frankly, the investigation into these deaths is far more involved
then we had previously believed. ( one of the investigators is an
enrolled member of the OglalaLakota Nation). Senator Daschle's office
was also extremely helpful and well-informed (as he should be) of the issues
surrounding the deaths of Indians in SD.
Mark White Bull stressed the issue of the murderers of Boo Many
Horses in Mobridge being charged with manslaughter instead of murder. After the
private meeting Nowa Cumig stated to the law enforcement officials that he
believed they were putting forth their best efforts tosolve the Rapid Creek
murders but since the murderer(s) are still at large more needs to be done
and a coalition between the Indian community and law enforcement must be
established to secure the welfare of Indian people. They agreed. We are now in the
process of establishing "citizen patrols" of the area's where the murders took place,
working in conjunction with law enforcement and establishing credible liaisons
between us and them. Following the meeting the officers met with the Indian community
gathered at the Oyate Center and enjoyed frybread and soup with us. A few of the
people vented their anger and frustration with the police in general but overall the
community meeting was positive.
Afterwards, Nowa Cumig and myself met with the Head of the FBI for South Dakota.
He gave us a run down of the investigation into the Killings at White Clay (Pine Ridge).
Although he was not as forthcoming as local law enforcement he did enlighten us to their
efforts in bringing the murderer(s) to justice. He said a large contingent of investigators
was assigned to this case, more than he has seen in seven years on a single investigation.
I'm sure that after reading this there are those who may feel that we have been deceived
by the police or fallen victim to a conspiracy of lies. We believe those officials we spoke with
were honest and truthful, after all, they did not have to be there nor share this information
with us. On the other hand, this report is not to be interpreted as meaning we have
complete trust in any law enforcement agency or individual.
We will never let down our guard. The investigation to find the killer(s) responsible for the Rapid
Creek murders is ongoing and intensified as a result of all of our actions and prayers.
I truly believe we have moved closer to apprehending the killer(s) and have scored a victory for
Indian people.
Aho !
IN THE SPIRIT OF CRAZY HORSE,
Matt
Sherman Madage Moniga
Asst. to Nowa Cumig aka
Dennis Banks
National Field Director,
AIM
P O BOX
06167 Columbus, Oh 43206
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Photograph--Alfred Bone Shirt Sr. wearing a peace medal.