Regional News
Native American activists to continue "Red Ribbon" grand jury
Published Wednesday, July 02, 2008 at 10:15 AM
American Indian Movement leader Russell Means and Vernon Moves Camp...who works with the Native American Civil Rights Commission...recorded 3 hours of testimony from 13 individuals last week, and are encouraging others to come forward next week.
Means plans to widen the scope of the grand jury...which has no legal authority...to cover what he calls "egregious violations" by police and the courts across Dawes County that he says will result in legal action against the cities of Chadron and Crawford, and possibly others.
Most of those testifying last week were Native Americans with complaints about police brutality, discrimination, excessive bail and longer sentences for Indian defendants, and a lack of investigation by law enforcement of crimes against Native Americans.
Local authorities strongly deny the accusations of racism. Even though his office has not received any complaints, Chadron Police Chief Tim Lordino did sit through most of last week's proceedings to hear what was said and adress any issues.
The grand jury was set up after Moves Camp's daughter, Dominique Ten Fingers, was charged with assault for allegedly hitting another woman with a nail-studded piece of wood. Her family says the charges are racially-motivated, and asked Means for help.
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- © 2008 Rural Radio Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.