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American Indian Movement of
Colorado
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
For more information contact:
Glenn Morris - 303-871-0463 or Don Ragona - 303-579-4436
http://www.coloradoaim.org
American Indian ceremony desecrated and disrupted
by Boulder police
Colorado AIM agrees to assist native people who were harassed
by Boulder city and county police
Meeting with Boulder officials set for Friday, January 23,
2004
On December 31, 2003, a traditional American Indian spiritual ceremony was
disrupted and desecrated by the Boulder County Sheriff's Department and the
Boulder City Police Department. The peaceful ceremony, which had been authorized
to be held on Boulder Open Space land for years, was set upon by nearly a dozen
police units, including two vehicles with attack dogs from the K-9 Corps. The
police were unwilling to discuss the conditions by which the ceremony was taking
place, they abused and disrespected Indian elders, children, and the spiritual
leader conducting the ceremony. Boulder's explanation that the incident was the
result of a "misunderstanding" is inadequate and demeaning to the
Indian people who were humiliated by the experience.
Colorado AIM was requested to intervene in this matter by the Indian
participants in the ceremony, and AIM has agreed. We have called for an
immediate meeting with Boulder City and County officials to receive an
accounting for the unjustified behavior of the police. AIM also will present a
list of remedies to the Boulder officials to address the New Year's Eve
incident, and to prevent future disruptions from occurring. AIM has also
requested that the Colorado Attorney General investigate this incident to
determine if the police engaged in civil rights violations against the Indian
participants.
The meeting with Boulder officials will take place at the offices of the City
Manager for the City of Boulder, 1776 Broadway, Boulder, at 3 pm on Friday,
January 23, 2004. AIM's delegation will include the spiritual leader, Robert
Cross, AIM representatives, and attorneys. AIM has called for supporters to
rally outside the city offices during the meeting with the police and other
government officials.
-30-
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