*-No Honor in Genocide-*
*What*- Prayer Vigil/ Peaceful Rally to bring awareness and demand the
removal of the medal of honor to US army soldier Fred Toy who was a
participant in the Wounded Knee Massacare.
*Where*- Main st and Park Place in Niagara Falls
*When*- 12:30 pm Monday 12/29
*Why- * On the 135th year anniversery of The Wounded Knee Massacare we
want to honor the lives lost and say loudly 'There is no honor in
Genocide'. Wounded Knee was one of the largest massacres in the history of
this land and should not be celebrated and honored. Fred Toy of the US army
took part in this massacre and was awarded a medal of honor and has 2
plaques in N.Falls. We want to bring awareness and demand the removal of
the medal of honor from Fred Toy and all those who were involved in the
Wounded Knee Massacre. This is particularly relevant as the US Department
of defense's recent decision to maintain the Medals of Honor awarded to
U.S. soldiers for their actions at the Wounded Knee Massacre. This decision
is emblematic of US's committment to its centuries long ongoing genocidal
campaign of the indigenous people of this land.
Dec 15th In 1890 Sitting Bull (Lakota: Thatháŋka Íyotake) was
killed by Indian agency police on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation
during an attempt to arrest him. Born near the Grand River in Dakota
Territory, he was a Hunkpapa Lakota holy man who led his people as a war
chief during years of resistance to United States government policies.
After Sitting Bull's death, 200 members of his Hunkpapa band, fearful of
reprisals, fled Standing Rock to join Chief Spotted Elk (later to be known
as "Big Foot") and his Miniconjou band at the Cheyenne River Indian
Reservation. Spotted Elk and his band, along with 38 Hunkpapa, left the
Cheyenne River Reservation on December 23 to journey to the Pine Ridge
Indian Reservation to seek shelter with Red Cloud. On their way, they were
intercepted by the U.S. 7th Cavalry and escorted to Wounded Knee Creek,
where they made camp. On the morning of December 29, the Cavalry opened
fire from all sides, killing over 300 men, women and children in what is
known as the Wounded Knee Massacre.
We stand in solidarity with the Future Generations Ride honoring
Chief Bigfoot and the lives lost at the Wounded Knee massacre...This 200
mile ride takes place in the Dakota's during the coldest weeks of winter.
We are in solidarity with the Future Generations Ride and with our friend
Joe Hill who is participating in that ride who sends this message-
"We leave Sitting Bulls camp on December 15. The day he was killed in 1890.
Sitting Bull never signed a treaty and wants it known he was the last to
give up his gun. The army sent Indian police to arrest him. Sitting bulls
guards shot one and in retaliation Sitting bull was shot in the head and
chest. Fearing retaliation the Hunkpapa fled south following the river at
night so they would not be seen. They were wearing only what they had on.
Moccasins, blankets, not the warm gear we have today. Fearing for their
lives. his people fled on foot to Cheyenne river seeking refuge with Chief
Spotted Elk aka Bigfoot on Cheyenne River. There the decision was made to
continue to Pine ridge with the Oglala. As I write this I am listening to
the excited shouts KIKTAPO ! WE CAME TO RIDE. We wake and prepare for the
day.
They continued on and were told there would be food and warm lodges for
them at Wounded Knee creek. The Hunkpapa Miniconjou and Oglala continued.
The army had set up Hotchkiss guns around the hillside. I was told that
the people decided to seek refuge with Red Cloud who they hoped had some
influence with the army. So they continued on to Wounded knee where they
were told food and shelter would be provided. But The army wanted all of
the great Oceti Sacowin. The seven council fires of the Lakota, Dakota,
Dakota subservient to the united states war department. To stay on the
reservation and completely follow the policies of the white men who abused,
raped, and murdered the people. The ghost dance had to be stomped out and
those followers imprisoned or killed. This is why Sitting bull was
Murdered. He wouldn't conform, he wouldn't surrender. This ride is about
remembering our history and gathering strength to continue as Lakota. We're
not supposed to know our songs, our history, our ways and 7 generations
before us sacrificed greatly to give us our language our pride in who we
are."
*Wounded Knee Massacre and the Toy Soldier: A “George Floyd Moment”*
https://niagarafallsreporter.com/wounded-knee-massacre-and-the-toy-soldier-a-george-floyd-moment/
NCAI Statement on Pentagon Decision to Maintain Medals for Soldiers at the
Wounded Knee Massacre-
https://www.ncai.org/news/ncai-statement-on-pentagon-decision-to-maintain-medals-for-soldiers-at-the-wounded-knee-massacre
Co-Sponsor- Veterans for Peace Buffalo Chapter
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