Also available are booklets of the Findings and the Verdicts. These are
$3.00 plus $1.00 for postage.
Please send orders to:
American Indian Movement
(Re: Tribunal)
2017 Mission Street, #303
San Francisco, CA 94110
___________________________________
USA on Trial:
The International Tribunal
of Indigenous Peoples and
Oppressed Nations in the USA
During the weekend of October 2-4, 1992 over 1000 people attended the
International Tribunal. This historic event, sponsored and organized by a
coalition of 30 organizations was part of the counter-Columbus quincentennial
activities throughout the country. The Tribunal put the US government on trial
for internationally recognized crimes such as, genocide, colonialism and the
holding of political prisoners.
Part 1 includes testimony on poverty, health isssues, cultural genocide and
resistance by the four movements.
Part 2 deals with land issues and political resistance with footage from a
US-Mexico border demonstration, a demonstration against the US Navy in Vieques,
Puerto RIco, Western Shoshone and Hawaiia'n land struggles and interviews with
Puerto Rican Prisoners of War.
October 12, 1992 was the International Day of Solidarity with Indigenous
Peoples. A time that marked 500 Years of Resistance.
In vivid contrast to the official portrait of Columbus are the Indigenous
voices from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego, Africans, Caribbeans, Asians
and other people of color who demand that the truth about Columbus' legacy of
racism, genocide, crimes against women, environmental destruction and
colonialism finally be told.
It was against this backdrop of the two legacies of the Columbian
Quincentenary Q the legacy of pillage, genocide and oppression; and the legacy
of the resistance of peoples of color on this continent Q that an International
Tribunal of Indigenous Peoples and Oppressed Nations in the USA took place at
Mission High School in San Francisco during October 2P4, 1992.
About the Tribunal :
Convoked by the American Indian Movement, the Tribunal during October 3-4,
this unique global gathering heard testimony and discussions about the massive,
systematic violations of human rights and international law against people of
color within the US.
Tribunal Aims:
% To destroy the myth of the "European Discovery" of the Americas, and
Columbus as the embodiment of the European Spirit of Adventure and of
rugged individualism;
% To provide a forum for a broader understanding of the right to self-
determination for Native Americans, Puerto Ricans, New Afrikans (Blacks)
and Mexicans.
% The immediate, unconditional release of the Political Prisoners and
Prisoners of War presently in US prisons and jails.
A distinguished panel of international jurists and individuals participated as
judges. The evidence consisted of testimonial presentations from Native
Americans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Africans in America, and Euro-Americans.
The witnesses who gave testimony were:
Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell
Pro-Hawaii Sovereignty Working Group
Professor Elizabeth Parent
Head of Native American Studies,
San Francisco State University
Oba T'chaka
Professor San Francisco State University
Daramola Cabral-Evins
Epidemiologist, Hartford Hospital
Mara Ortz
Mexican Democratic Forum,
San Jose, California
Deborah Santana
Puerto Rican environmentalist
Rafael Cancel Miranda
Puerto Rican National Hero
Sage La Pea
Wintu-Nomtipom & Human Rights activist
Tom Goldtooth
Environmental Coordinator from the Red Lake Band of Chippewa
Emery Douglas
Founding member, Black Panther Party
Muhjah Shakir
International Campaign to Free geronimo ji Jaga (Pratt)
Ricardo Garca
n Human Rights Group
Jose Rico
Frente Estudiantil de Liberacion Nacional
Carmen Vzquez
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Piri Thomas
Poet and author of Down These Mean Streets
Bob Robideau
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
Ward Churchill
Noted author and co-director, Colorado American Indian Movement
Watani Tyehimba
National Secretary of the New Afrikan Peoples Organization
Ricardo Snchez
Professor, Washington State University
Carlos Ortz
National Committee to Free Puerto Rican Prisoners of War and Political
Prisoners