Russell Means is on the other side

[auroraglacialis]

Yesterday, Russell Means, one of the main activists of the contemporary native american struggle against colonialization died. I wish him well.

in a 1973 protest covered by the national news media for months, he led hundreds of Indians and white sympathizers in an occupation of Wounded Knee, S.D., site of the 1890 massacre of some 350 Lakota men, women and children in the last major conflict of the American Indian wars. The protesters demanded strict federal adherence to old Indian treaties, and an end to what they called corrupt tribal governments.

In the ensuing 71-day standoff with federal agents, thousands of shots were fired, two Indians were killed and an agent was paralyzed. Mr. Means and his fellow protest leader Dennis Banks were charged with assault, larceny and conspiracy. But after a long federal trial in Minnesota in 1974, with the defense raising current and historic Indian grievances, the case was dismissed by a judge for prosecutorial misconduct.

from Bury my heart at Wounded Knee | MetaFilter

Also:
"I Am Not a Leader": Russell Means' 1980 Mother Jones Cover Story | Mother Jones

[Niri Te]

He is someone that I look up to, one of my heroes. I wish him safe journey.

[CyanRachel]

Sorry to hear this news. He was one of my favorite Native American actors, and I admired the work he did for his people. May he rest in peace.