AIM eagle pin

AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT GRAND GOVERNING COUNCIL
PRESS CONTACT: MINISTRY FOR INFORMATION

P.O. Box 13521
Minneapolis MN 55414
612/ 721-3914 . fax 612/ 721-7826
Email: aimggc@worldnet.att.net
Web Address: www.aimovement.org

PRESS STATEMENT
October 12, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TO ALL NEWS ORGANIZATIONS WORLDWIDE


Distinguished Attendees of the Caracas Indigenous and Campesino Conference of 2003:

As we set forth in the early stages of this new millenium, the settler governments and peoples of North, Central and South America, who occupy the lands of various Indigenous nations of peoples, will again celebrate with holiday parades and festivals the invasion of our sacred lands by the colonial pirate Chrisopher Columbus.

Columbus was the beginning of the American holocaust, ethnic cleansing characterized by murder, torture, raping, pillaging, robbery, slavery, kidnapping, and forced removals of Indian people from their homelands.

To our friends, we say that to celebrate the legacy of this murderer is an affront to all Indian peoples, and others who truly understand this history. It would be the same as if German people would celebrate and glorify Adolf Hitler and the rise of fascism, and the Nazi holocaust by holding parades through the Jewish communities of America and throughout the world.

We unequivocally support the right of Indian peoples of all the Americas along with friends and supporters to peacefully hold demonstrations and vigils, and exercise firm and resolute civil disobedience against any groups, religious, other organizations, and governments who continue to insist on celebrating and glorifying the murderous Columbus with parades, festivals, and celebrations. The Indigenous and Campesino Conference of Caracas 2003 is a historic meeting of those who have suffered most from the wrath of imperialism and colonialism. It is a great honor for the American Indian Movement to have the opportunity to stand in resistance with our indigenous and campesino brothers and sisters from throughout the Americas.

The legacy of Columbus continues against the original people of all of the Americas, north, south and central. We call upon all Indigenous warriors and revolutionaries to remain vigilant in the struggle for our people's restitutions, reparations, and respect of our lands, culture, and relatives.

Robert Cruz
Special Representative Council on Foreign Relations
American Indian Movement Grand Governing Council
Tohono Q'odham Nation

Daniel Yang
Youth Council Representative
American Indian Movement Grand Governing Council
Anishinabe Ojibwe Nation

Vernon Bellecourt
Director of Foreign Relations
American Indian Movement Grand Governing Council
Anishinabe Ojibwe Nation