Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

January 5, 2011

Akwesasne Film Crew in court after attack by Virginia State Police

UPDATE
Leadhorse Choctaw was released Friday, after serving 10 days in jail for 'obstruction of justice,' after a racist attack by the Virginia State Police on an Indigenous film crew. Leadhorse is to be released on Jan. 14, 2011. Native youths were promoting Indigenous Games to be held in Akwesasne. The bail, for an appeal, was set by the court at $7,500.
Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/
Wednesday: Support Leadhorse Choctaw and the Akwesasne film crew in Virginia. They were charged after being harassed and threatened by Virginia State police. Watch the disturbing video they filmed during the whole incident. They were there as an Indigenous youth film crew on Indigenous culture and promoting a Traditional Indigenous Games event that will be held this year in Akwesasne.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL_x4w4VV5U


Virginia State Police vs. Akwesasne
by Giniti Harcum El Bey
Virginia State Police stopped van occupied by Onkwehonwe shooting movie in Virginia. Driver was allegedly speeding and did not have license. He got two tickets.
Troopers starting Harassing Leadhorse Choctaw, because he didn't have ID and arrested him. Leadhorse was released on $5000 bail.
The men were told that Northerners and Indians are not liked here because this is where the South surrendered to the North in War of Aggression (misnomer Civil War). Ely Parker (Seneca) drew up the surrender papers and it is said to have actually accepted the surrender.
What crimes did these cops commit? Tell it to them.
Virginia State Police James M. Buzzard Badge 551 Division 3 - Area 21 240 Third Division Loop
Appomattox, Virginia 24522 Phone complaint: 434-352-7128 (434-352-9058 Fax)

5 comments:

Natural Capital said...

WTF
Any new news on this injustice?

Anonymous said...

why were the youth being harrassed? Because they didn't have I.D.? Why were they stopped in the first place?

apukjij said...

The Jay Treaty should be used as a defense here, we as Natives have the right to travel unencumbered, and our Treaty Right trumps VA. state highway laws.

Carolynp366 said...

Unfortunately whether it is legal or not cops can do whatever they want. Since when does the U.S. honor treaty laws and rights. I want to know what the probably cause was for stopping them in the first place. Probably just because they were young and ethnic looking.

Anonymous said...

I called them. They said "you were not involved in the incident." I said, "we all are involved in this incident and we don't like what we are seeing." Keep calling! Peace, Nancy