I’ve followed (but haven’t met) Chase Iron Eyes and the Lakota People’s Law Project since the Dakota Access Pipeline resistance we were part of. He recently wrote, “I, myself, was labeled a domestic “jihadi” during our Native-led protests against the Dakota Access pipeline”.
Many people across Turtle Island and the world are now coming to grips with something that’s been crystal clear to Indigenous People for eons. We need a reckoning. We in the resistance must now recommit to promoting freedom, equality, and self-determination for everyone, everywhere. I view the Native fight for recognition and liberation vis a vis the U.S. as integrally related to the struggles of anyone who has felt that the traditional levers of power were beyond their reach.
Chase Iron Eyes, Lakota People’s Law Project
HR 9495, the so-called “Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act.” The name almost makes it sound OK, right? Well, it’s anything but. This nefarious bill — which passed in the House of Representatives today with bipartisan support, includes a provision that would allow the U.S. treasury secretary to unilaterally strip any organization determined to be “terrorism-supporting” of its non-profit status.
It’s also notable that Gaza protests inspired this aspect of the legislation. Think about that. While Lakota Law actively supports Palestinian sovereignty, we do not support Hamas. We simply believe all people should live in peace and with self-determination. But this act would allow the presidentially-appointed treasury secretary to ignore such distinctions, without adhering to any evidentiary standard or requiring any burden of proof — and it would put a 90-day window on orgs like ours to prove our innocence. That’s the opposite of due process, and it flies in the face of our First Amendment rights to free expression and dissent.
In addition, let’s not forget that I, myself, was labeled a domestic “jihadi” during our Native-led protests against the Dakota Access pipeline in 2016 and ‘17 (simply for standing peacefully to protect our homelands, water, and climate). At that time, federal prosecutors wanted to use a terrorism clause to imprison me for several years. Should HR 9495 become law, such trumped-up rhetoric could be used to disband this organization and many others fighting for Indigenous and environmental justice.
Perhaps the only chance left to stop this heinous bill is a majority vote against it by the U.S. Senate. That’s why it’s absolutely critical to be loud and vigilant in our opposition. Let your senators know that you expect them to stand up for democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. Please, right now, tell them to vote no on any version of the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act that includes provisions to target nonprofits and quell dissent.
Chase Iron Eyes, Director and Lead Counsel, The Lakota People’s Law Project
As Indigenous Peoples, organizers, and as an organization, we have been clear about the threats we face. Our Peoples are on the frontlines confronted with the worst aspects of American politics and identity; white supremacy, settler colonialism, resource exploitation, environmental destruction, forced assimilation, political violence, and an ongoing genocide. This is why at NDN Collective we will always stay committed to Defend, Develop, and Decolonize. Protecting rights, building collective power, and organizing for systemic change is our pathway to liberation.
The United States election results merely determined whether or not the threats we face would accelerate or move at a slower pace. The country’s leaders, particularly within the Trump administration—are ruled by special interests, whose “solutions” to complex challenges include suppression and violence. As many around the country and around the world wonder how fascism came out victorious in a democratic election, the answer is that there was never a real choice in the first place. Systemic barriers and injustices that affect every aspect of equal and just participation were compounded by the influence of a foreign government lobby, AIPAC, that invested millions to influence election choices and outcomes all across the ballot. It did not help that the principles of movement organizing were completely overlooked and devalued in the Harris/Walz campaign strategy. They underestimated how much of their base could not accept the promise of the protection of some of our rights, while witnessing gross violations of Palestinian human rights.
Building Global Indigenous Power Post US Elections by Janene Yazzie, NDN Collective, Nov 14, 2024
They underestimated how much of their base could not accept the promise of the protection of some of our rights, while witnessing gross violations of Palestinian human rights. -Janene Yazzie
unflinching 