Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

RUSHVILLE, NB - Six Camp Justice warriors for justice who are charged with failure to comply with a lawful order and obstruction of Justice by crossing into White Clay, Nebraska on July 3, 1999 to protest against unsolved murders, liquor sales and to reclaim White Clay appeared again before Judge Charles Plantz in Sheridan County Court in Rushville, Nebraska on Friday September 29th.

Warriors for Justice who were arrested, standing Strong are: former Oglala Sioux Tribal President John Steele, 52, Manderson, S.D.;. Webster Poor Bear, 49, Wanblee, S.D; Frank LaMere, 49, South Sioux City; Tom Poor Bear, 44, Wanblee, S.D.; and Benedict "Bennie" Black Elk, 36; Gary Moore, 36, Pine Ridge.

The warriors were denied request for dismissal of both charges and they were instructed to write a brief on why they feel they should not be charged. The brief is due to the court on October 13th at 1:00pm. Judge Plantz will set a date for the hearing on October 20, 2000.

We still stand strong on the fact that the court should have dismissed both charges as the order not to step foot in White Clay was not a "lawful order" but was clearly an "intimidation order."

For the first time during the case it was disclosed that Governor Mike Johanns ordered in the National Guard for security for the White Clay occupants. Now our questions as to where all the snipers came from and who was in all those buses, are finally answered.

Camp Justice organizers ask supporters to continue to show support by faxing letters of support to Camp Justice at 605-462-6518 and to local media in their area. We need help with funding for our attorney, Jerry Matthews who has been working on behalf of Camp Justice from the beginning and has not charged us for legal services or profit. Thanks to help form our supporters we were able to give him a little bit of money, please send more for him if you can. Camp Justice is being prepared for the winter and we still need donations and supplies to help feed visitors, maintain the camp, buy calling cards, for transportation and to continue the occupation.

Camp Justice and the weekly Walks for Justice to White Clay were established shortly after Wally Black Elk & Ron Hard Heart were brutally beaten, mutilated and found dead near the Nebraska/South Dakota border on June 8, 1999. They were last seen about 10:30 on June 6th walking from White Clay back to Pine Ridge. The reward for information leading to an arrest of the murderer(s) of Wally and Ron has been increased to $40,000. We are trying to get the reward increased to $50,000. Officials, including Attorney General Janet Reno and the FBI, will not release information in regards to the investigation.

Camp Justice 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, and to reclaim White Clay which clearly belongs to the Oglala Oyate by treaty.

Supporters and organizers of many groups, including the American Indian Movement (AIM) are planing to PROTEST against the Columbus Day Parade in Denver, Colorado, on Saturday Oct. 7th, 2000. We will meet with all people that would like to join us at Four Winds Indian Project at 5th and Bannock, 205 West 5th Ave. at 8:00 AM Oct. 7th. The parade will start at 10:00am at 12th and Welton - then will go down 15th to the Denver Civic Center. Much tragedy and injustices have happened to our people in Denver. Denver was one of the original assimilation hub locations during the planning and implementing of the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA).

Many Camp Justice Supporters, including, Mike L. Graham, Founder United Native America (UNA) and his group will be joining the protest Saturday. UNA is planning to be on hand with a 4x12 holiday banner and it will be displayed where all can see. He is also bringing petitions to replace the Columbus Day Holiday with a Native American Indian Day. Another protest is scheduled on Oct. 9th, Columbus Day, in Pueblo, Colorado. See Mike's press release for more information. Contact him at Rt. 6 box 243 Muldrow, Okla. 74948 - 918-427-9894 MIKECHEROKEE@aol.com

Organizers of Camp Justice wish to thank those of Lakota Nation Journal, Nebraskans for Peace and those who attended the hearing last week. Additionally, we wish to thank the internet force of supporters who have been working on behalf of the oyate, sending out news releases and disseminating information...for justice.

Camp Justice strives to work in a good way with the media and human and civil rights volunteers and organizations. Members of Camp Justice are continuing to assist with security and support to help protect the Sacred Cannupa and the Grass Roots elders, families and visitors occupying the Red Cloud Tribal Building to address issues of much corruption in Pine Ridge and throughout the homelands.

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

Written and Presented on behalf of: Camp Justice Organizers, Volunteers and millions of Supporters protecting the Lakota Nation.

Warriors for Justice still standing Strong: former Oglala Sioux Tribal President John Steele, 52, Manderson, S.D.;. Webster Poor Bear, 49, Wanblee, S.D; Frank LaMere, 49, South Sioux City; Tom Poor Bear, 44, Wanblee, S.D.; and Benedict "Bennie" Black Elk, 36; Gary Moore, 36, Pine Ridge