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El Laberinto, 1971-1987
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fbi exposed at aim trial American Indian Movement (AIM) members Robert Butler and Darrell Robideau were on trial in Cedar Rapids this summer for the shooting deaths of two FBI agents at the Pine Ridge Reservation in the summer of 1975. Why two Native Americans from Oregon went on trial in Iowa for an alleged crime that took place in South Dakota is only party of the many complexities which developed from the exchange of gunfire which took place on the Harry Jumping Bull residence at Pine Ridge. The shooting also left dead Joe Stuntz (Killsright). The incident was the first to be reported by the U.S. press despite the loss of many Indian livesto the goons, BIA, and FBI in the preceeding months. The FBI assigned approximately 150 agents to investigate the deaths of agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams which resulted in the indictments of Butler, Robideau, Jimmy Eagle and Leonard Peltier. No indictments for Stuntz's death have ever been issued and no information has been released concerning an investigation, if any, into his death. The trial in Cedar Rapids ended jubilantly for Butler and Robideau - acquittal of first-degree murder - though both were returned to jail on previous convictions. The list of Native Americans, many AIM members, in prison, awaiting trial, fighting extradition, or underground is suspiciously long. It is clear these charges against AIM are political, not criminal. This method of attack by the U.S. government is not new. National liberation movements are a threat to the economic and political power of the U.S. With every trial, the government wins and the people lose, regardless of the verdict. Times is lost: active progression as well as organizational development is put aside to fight in the courts, which is exactly what the government wants. By continuing to hinder AIM activities, including the use of reactionary propaganda, the FBI and the U.S. government are attempting to stop the creation of a mass struggle among Indian peoples. [cartoon text]UP AGAINST THE WALL CITIZEN! S.W.A.T. P.D. The Butler/Robideau trial brought national attention to the vigilante activity and police brutality which characterize life on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations in South Dakota, though it was an uphill struggle all the way. A change of venue moved the trial from South Dakota to Cedar Rapids, when a Rapid City judge ruled two Indians could never receive a fair trial among white South Dakotan jurors. At the start of the trial the prosecution claimed evidence would show the defendants guilty of first degree murder with "premeditation and malice of forethought." By the end of the trial, however, evidence of FBI harassment of Indian people, especial AIM members, was established. FBI Director Clarence Kelley, in subpoenaed testimony, was forced to admit to the heavy concentration of agents, guns and other equipment on the reservation. The defense showed that Indians testifying to the presence of Butler and Robideau at the scene of the crime had received FBI promises of protection, a job and new identity if they would testify for the government. (continued on the next page) 1
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fbi exposed at aim trial American Indian Movement (AIM) members Robert Butler and Darrell Robideau were on trial in Cedar Rapids this summer for the shooting deaths of two FBI agents at the Pine Ridge Reservation in the summer of 1975. Why two Native Americans from Oregon went on trial in Iowa for an alleged crime that took place in South Dakota is only party of the many complexities which developed from the exchange of gunfire which took place on the Harry Jumping Bull residence at Pine Ridge. The shooting also left dead Joe Stuntz (Killsright). The incident was the first to be reported by the U.S. press despite the loss of many Indian livesto the goons, BIA, and FBI in the preceeding months. The FBI assigned approximately 150 agents to investigate the deaths of agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams which resulted in the indictments of Butler, Robideau, Jimmy Eagle and Leonard Peltier. No indictments for Stuntz's death have ever been issued and no information has been released concerning an investigation, if any, into his death. The trial in Cedar Rapids ended jubilantly for Butler and Robideau - acquittal of first-degree murder - though both were returned to jail on previous convictions. The list of Native Americans, many AIM members, in prison, awaiting trial, fighting extradition, or underground is suspiciously long. It is clear these charges against AIM are political, not criminal. This method of attack by the U.S. government is not new. National liberation movements are a threat to the economic and political power of the U.S. With every trial, the government wins and the people lose, regardless of the verdict. Times is lost: active progression as well as organizational development is put aside to fight in the courts, which is exactly what the government wants. By continuing to hinder AIM activities, including the use of reactionary propaganda, the FBI and the U.S. government are attempting to stop the creation of a mass struggle among Indian peoples. [cartoon text]UP AGAINST THE WALL CITIZEN! S.W.A.T. P.D. The Butler/Robideau trial brought national attention to the vigilante activity and police brutality which characterize life on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations in South Dakota, though it was an uphill struggle all the way. A change of venue moved the trial from South Dakota to Cedar Rapids, when a Rapid City judge ruled two Indians could never receive a fair trial among white South Dakotan jurors. At the start of the trial the prosecution claimed evidence would show the defendants guilty of first degree murder with "premeditation and malice of forethought." By the end of the trial, however, evidence of FBI harassment of Indian people, especial AIM members, was established. FBI Director Clarence Kelley, in subpoenaed testimony, was forced to admit to the heavy concentration of agents, guns and other equipment on the reservation. The defense showed that Indians testifying to the presence of Butler and Robideau at the scene of the crime had received FBI promises of protection, a job and new identity if they would testify for the government. (continued on the next page) 1
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