Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

        May 13th marked the 48th week of the "March for Justice" to White Clay, Nebraska and the establishment of Camp Justice. We are still waiting for many answers, and written responses, along with formal actions we have requested from numerous duly elected and appointed officials in the past 48 plus weeks.

        Camp Justice and the weekly Walks for Justice to White Clay were established nearly a year ago, shortly after Wally Black Elk and Ron Hard Heart were brutally beaten, mutilated and found dead near the Nebraska/South Dakota border on June 8, 1999, in addition to almost 100 other unsolved deaths in and around the nation lands. Camp Justice's purpose and commitment is to demand non-violent public accountability and satisfactory explanations of these and other injustices, to prevent exploitation of human and civil rights on behalf of the Lakota people.

        Our goals are to keep the pressure on local, state and federal law enforcement to solve the murders of Wally and Ron, to maintain a physical and spiritual presence at Camp Justice to ensure that no other beatings or murders occur, create a public awareness campaign within our tribe, the state, and on a national level regarding the issues of the disparity of justice that exists for our Lakota people, the criminal activity that is occurring in White Clay; i.e. underage drinking, prostitution, assaults, deaths from drunk driving, thefts, and murders. Camp Justice strives to work in a good way with the media and human and civil rights volunteers and organizations.

        Recently, the special task force sent by Janet Reno has been investigating the crime scene During the investigation is was witnessed by others including officials that the area was not taped off in yellow as in other crime scenes. We have been told that officials were picking items off the ground and putting them in their pockets. There is still no word on leads from community and others, they still won't discuss the details of the leads they have received. Had this task force been sent to investigate a year ago, our hopes of finding these murderer(s) would still be high today. Families of Wally and Ron are now considering a law suit against law enforcement who were responsible for the initial crime scene investigation.

        We would like to remind others that according to a 1973 State of South Dakota Division of Human Rights report, the Indian population had a 20.1 percent unemployment rate compared to 3.2 percent for whites, and 54.8 percent of the Indian families lived at or below what the US government has defined as the poverty level, compared with a 14.8 percent of the whites. Although Indians represent 5 or, at most, 7 percent of the state population, they account for as much as 43 percent of the arrests, and up to 50% of the criminal convictions. the inmate population at the State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls ranges from 21 to 24 percent Indian, while the inmate population at Pennington county jail in Rapid city ranges from 50 to 55 percent Indian. The US Commission on Civil Rights has determined that harassment, brutality, selective enforcement and manipulation of the bail system form a pattern of discriminatory abuse of Indians. By Governor Janklow's statements of the past of not wanting to address South Dakota Indian issues, he has proven again that he is still not listening or acting upon the needs of our people in South Dakota. Governor Janklow, nor members of his administration, have participated in Camp Justice marches or walks.

        Camp Justice invites all friends and supporters to join the Camp Justice memorial activities scheduled for June 10, 2000. A Prayer Ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. at Billy Mills Hall, (located across the street from Big Bat's)in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, followed by a Walk to White Clay, Nebraska at 11:00 a.m. A Buffalo Feast and Giveaway will begin at noon, followed by the unveiling of a rock memorial monument honoring Wilson "Wally" Black Elk Jr. and Ron Hard Heart. Immediate funding and help is need in preparation for these activities.

        On Friday, the newly elected District representative from Wanblee took control of the CAP office and took all the computers, changed the locks, removed files and disconnected the phones. There was a big district meeting last night to address this issue which members of Camp Justice attended as this is where we have been taking calls and faxes. These type of actions affects all our people, the elderly and those in need, including Camp Justice and it is the peoples building. Because our people fear that voting in an IRA government political system, plus transportation problems, only around 200 people voted in this district election. The meeting went well and the staff returned to our Wanblee CAP office today. Many of our advocacy efforts are being blocked throughout Pine Ridge with the lack of media attention, phone services, long distance, computer/internet sources and transportation. Much help is needed from volunteers and supporters. Camp Justice continues to assist and provide security for the Lakota Oglala Grass Roots Oyate currently occupying the Red Cloud Tribal Building.

        Camp Justice will continue to stand United and Strong in our efforts to obtain the Justice and Accountability our nation deserves and expects.