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"About 50 American Indian activists and supporters held a peaceful protest
rally in front of the Williams Arena in Minneapolis before the University
of Minnesota-University of Illinois basketball game on Jan 25 to protest the
University of Illinois mascot, Chief Illiniwek, a non-native who dresses
in full regalia and prances around making a mockery of native dances.
"During half-time, 12 Native Americans and supporters who had bought
tickets for the game, walked down the bottom level of the concourse.
One of the women in the group asked an usher to point out her seat,
whereupon the usher replied "No, you can't be here" and started shoving
the protesters out of the arena. At this point, the protesters started to
leave and on the way out tried to unfurl a banner which read, "Indians
are people not mascots for America's fun and games."
According to the protesters, the ushers were trying to grab the banner when
one of the protersters walked up to the top of the staris and started filming
the incident. He was jumped form behind by two fans, one of who threw his
coat over the lens of the camcorder, while the other physically
attacked the photographer, Don Messick. Vernon Bellecourt went to his aid
and was jumped from behind...
A 12 year old female and her mother were pushed down stairs, then police
went after Charlene Tethers and grabbed her by the throat. She subsequently
required hospitalization. One of the campus police then yelled, "There
is Clyde Bellecourt." (AIM National director) and grabbed Mike Heany,
thinking he was Clyde Bellecourt, and threw him down the stairs whereby
the campus security started kicking him. Mike suffered two broken teeth
and a broken wrist and also required hospitalization...
Campus police then grabbed Vernon and Crow Bellecourt from behind, threw
them to the ground and tried to jam their faces in steel girders.
Four protesters. Vernon Bellecourt, Mike Heany, Crow Bellecourt, and
Don Messick were arrested on probable course of fourth degree aggravated
assault, which means they could be held in jail for 36 hours. The four
believe that this was done in order to prevent them from attending the
rally against the usage of Native names and mascots on Super Bowl Sunday.
Through their attorney they were released within four hours.
The entire incident was filmed and shown at a press conference on Monday,
Jan 27 and the protesters are demanding a complete investigation into the
matter."
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