Native Lives Matter: A 15-page report detailing the unequal treatment of Native Americans by the Un
The release runs parallel to a large march led by Lakota People’s Law Project Attorney Chase Iron Eyes, who has led the Native Lives Matter movement that continues to gather momentum in Rapid City, South Dakota.
“This fact-based report unequivocally shows that at best the institutions in South Dakota are culturally biased, at worst they are blatantly racist and bent on perpetuating a slow genocide,” said Chase Iron Eyes. “The recent anecdotal incidents along with the statistics presented in this report demonstrate that racism against Native Americans is palpable. It will not go anywhere unless we unite as a people and stand together against it.”
The next step in taking this stand will commence at noon on Thursday, February 26 as Chase Iron Eyes will lead the “All Relations Community March Against Racism” beginning at the Lakota Homes in Rapid City.
Copies of the Lakota People’s Law Project report will be distributed to members of the media and supporters of the growing movement to demand more justice for Indians in South Dakota.
Key findings of the report include:
• Native Americans are most likely to be killed by law enforcement.
• Native youths suffer the two most severe outcomes of the juvenile justice system—out of home placement and transfer to the adult penitentiary system.
• Native Americans are more likely to be victims of violent crimes perpetrated by non-Native people than any other group.
• Native American youth is 1 percent of the youth population, but represents 70 percent of the youth admitted to the federal bureau of prisons.