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American Indian Movementof Florida
136 4th Street North Suite 308 Saint Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone 727-826-6960Fax 727-550-2207
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Web Page: http://hometown.aol.com/Aimfl
National Web Page http://www.aimovement.org
Contact: Sheridan Murphy, Mark Madrid or Ruby Beaulieu At [EMAIL PROTECTED] or David Narcomey at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
For Immediate Release
PRESS RELEASE
Florida AIM files complaints of police harrasment at FSUprotests
Tallahassee,FL – The American Indian Movement today filed complaints with the Second Judicial District State Attorney for Leon County (FL), United States Department of Justice Office of Civil Rights, and the Florida Attorney General’s Office of Civil Rights regarding outrageous and undue harassment by Leon County Sheriffs Deputies (LCSO) and Florida State University Police (FSUPD).
On September 21, 2002 Florida AIM held a protest of FSU’s use of American Indian peoples as a sports team mascot. Following the protest,as Florida AIM has done since it began protesting the FSU mascot in 1992, it closed the demonstration with a prayer and the burning of sage.
This was disrupted on September 21st by uniformed officers of the Leon County Sheriffs Office and Florida State University Police Department who crassly alleged that the sage was marijuana and inquired if “Y’all are performing a(n) Injun ceremony”. The LCSO deputy demanded to inspect the sage alleging loudly that the AIM and AIM Support Group members were “getting the fans in the west end (of the stadium) stoned”.
Under Florida law the disruption of a prayer or religious assembly is a criminal misdemeanor and religious discrimination is also a misdemeanor. Florida AIM has demanded the Leon County State Attorney and Florida Attorney General take swift and immediate action as the law requires.However we realize that in a state that can not effectively take care of the children in its care and has yet to successfully prosecute a police officer for brutality or the murder of a person of color, the reality is the state will likely not take action.
We have also filed complaints for discrimination and violations of public accommodations laws with the United States Department of Justice, another agency whose history of failing to act judiciously when dealing with Native peoples is long, and consistent. However we believe its important to call both the state of Florida and the United States on their failing to enact or live up to their lofty promises. Recognizing reality, Florida AIM is reviewing its options to take this grotesque act of disrespect to civil court. We believe this vile incident shows the proof that there is no intention in using Indian people as a sports mascot to honor, but that the intent and purpose is to defame,demoralize, and trivialize Native people as the two legged bacon who called themselves law enforcement officers attempted to do on September 21st.
We will not tolerate, nor allow such continued disrespect. of Native peoples by sports teams or by so-called law enforcement agencies.
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"A nation is not conquered
Until the hearts of its women are on the ground.
Then it is finished,
No matter how brave its warriors
Or how strong their weapons."
Cheyenne proverb
