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New Port Richey, Florida - The American Indian Movement of Florida filed a request for observers and intervention by the United States Department of Justice Community Relations Service (CRS) for the March 22cnd protest of the Chasco Fiesta.

Florida AIM has watched a gross overreaction by the local law enforcement, calling in law enforcement from not only all over Pasco County-but even other places, to protect the Chasco Fiesta. And now has received thinly veiled threats and a promise of a counterdemonstration-in support of the Chasco Fiesta, by the Orion faction of the Ku Klux Klan.

While we are not surprised that a white supremacist/nationalist group would support a festival that includes and is based upon gross stereotypes of Indigenous peoples and cultures. We ask all those of good nature who support the Chasco Fiesta's stereotypical representation of Indigenous peoples to ask themselves if they are comfortable holding the same position as that of the KKK?

Florida AIM has asked for intervention and observation of the demonstration by outside federal authorities because of the volatile mix of outside law enforcement, and the presence of the KKK.

While we we will not be swayed or deterred in our efforts to bring the stereotypical and degrading representations of Indigenous peoples in the Chasco Fiesta to a halt, we also are deeply concerned about the real potential for violence at this years Chasco protests. We think Chasco organizers should be deeply concerned about the fact their festival is such that it is supported by the most notorious racist organization in existence.

For more information contact Sheridan Murphy or Mark Madrid, phone: 727-826-6960; David Narcomey, phone: 904-291-1991; or Ruby Beaulieu, phone: 727-843-8474.