Hate Crimes Against American Indians Discussed at AIM West Conference

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

SAN FRANCISCO - American Indians have been acquainted with violence for centuries. What you may not hear about is the violence against American Indians on an ongoing basis in communities from border towns near reservations.

Civil Rights

"People may be unaware of the hate crimes committed against American Indians," states Tony Gonzales, president of AIM West, who coordinated this week's AIM West Conference at the Baha'i Center this week. "I have been talking to Indian people from Nevada and California who are afraid to go to law enforcement because it may happen to them again. Some have already been beat up. It goes on all the time."

"Community involvement is necessary for conflict resolution and to prosecute hate crimes. It is hard to get communities to talk. It often takes sitting down, dialogue, mediation and facilitation," said Carol A. Russo, a Senior Conciliation Specialist for the US Department of Justice's Western Region, who spoke on Tuesday at the conference.

Russo reviewed aspects of the 1964 Civil Rights Act for conference attendees. She said the Act gives jurisdiction to assist communities experiencing conflicts involving:

She said the 2009 Federal Hate Crime Shepherd-Byrd Hate Crime Prevention Act has been signed into law. Conflicts that are prosecuted can involve:

Russo said, "Perception becomes reality" meaning if we perceive the laws as not being helpful and we do not report hate crimes the crimes may increase. The laws must be perceived as helpful in stopping hate crimes and people must report crimes in order for prosecution and for the incidents to decrease. She spoke of historical trauma of people who faced constant racism as in New Mexico and around reservations.

"Power of people working with the community was demonstrated at Glen Cove where activists were welcomed by the community," was cited by Russo, who was involved with the conciliatory process there. Glen Cove, known traditionally as Sogorea Te, is the site of a 104-day spiritual encampment by a group of San Francisco Bay Area American Indians who fought the placement of two restrooms and a 15 car parking lot.

The conference concludes today. Here is today's schedule:

posted November 23, 2011 2:20 pm est