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Saint Petersburg, FL - The American Indian Movement of Florida (Florida AIM) will, for the fourteenth consecutive year, hold an event commemorating the historic liberation of the Independent Oglala Nation by the American Indian Movement for 71 days in 1973 at Wounded Knee, Oglala Lakota Nation. The commemoration will be held at 1 P.M. Sunday, February 25, 2001, at North Straub Park in downtown Saint Petersburg.

The liberation of Wounded Knee clearly marked the resurgence of Indigenous Nations and people exerting their treaty and sovereign rights as Indigenous Nations. Today, numerous Nations, thankfully, a re benefiting from the exercise of Indigenous National sovereignty, of which the 1973 liberation of Wounded Knee was one of the key sparks, through various economic developments on a number of Indigenous reservations throughout North America. Still there remain numerous attacks on Indigenous peoples treaty and sovereign rights throughout North, Meso and South America that force organizations such as AIM, and others to remain vigilant. It is important to remember, recognize and celebrate these key events, such as Wounded Knee. The Oglala Sioux Tribe in 1998 did so, with the passage of a historic Council resolution recognizing the importance of the liberation of Wounded Knee.

Florida AIM also will take time out to remember those who have given their lives in the struggle for Indigenous liberation and the protection of Indigenous treaty and sovereign rights The courage of Oglala Sioux Civil Rights Organization and AIM organizer Pedro Bissonette who when offered a deal to turn on his AIM associates proclaimed, "I will stand with my brother's and sisters. I will tell the truth about them and why we went to Wounded Knee. I will fight for my people. I will live for them and if its necessary to stop the terrible things that happen to Indians…I am ready to die for them. I will never lie against my people, or crawl for a better deal for myself. I stand with Russell Means, Gladys Bissonette, Ellen Moves Camp, Clyde Bellecourt" On October 17, 1973 Pedro was killed at pointblank range by a Bureau of Indian Affairs Police Officer due to his courageous stand.

Florida AIM holds this event to honor and remember the heroic and courageous actions of those who have given their lives in the 508-year long struggle of Indigenous peoples for treaty rights, sovereignty and liberation. We will recognize one hundred eleven Indigenous peoples killed in the struggle since 1971. From Richard Oakes to Anna Mae Aquash, Leon Shenandoah to Byron DeSersa, Frank Clearwater and Buddy LaMonte (killed at Wounded Knee in 1973) to John Wabanascum, we honor them. We will remember those murdered in this longest war, from Candace Rough Surface to Carmen Yberra and those recently slain in White Clay and Rapid City.

This years commemoration will include speakers such as Florida AIM leaders Sheridan Murphy, David Narcomey, and Mark Madrid. Longtime AIM ally, Uhuru movement founder and mayoral candidate Omali Yeshitela may also speak. The band American Horse, which has played at the last five Wounded Knee Commemorations and at the 15th Florida AIM State Conference will perform as we commemorate the historic liberation of Wounded Knee and honor the sacrifices made by those struggling for Indigenous peoples civil, human, treaty and sovereign rights

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Directions: The event will take place at the bandshell at North Straub Park. Take I-275 into Saint Petersburg, this may be picked up from 1-4 for those coming from the East, or I-75 from those coming from the north or south. Take the I-375 exit take that until it ends. It will end and you will be on 4th Ave N in downtown Saint Petersburg. Follow 4th Ave N to Beach Drive N and park. The park is at 4th Ave N and Beach Drive N just south of the Vinoy Resort. If you need further directions please feel free to email us. The event will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 25th.