From 2022: #Redistricting In #NewMexico Has Systematically Diluted The Voice Of #NativeAmerican #Voters
#FarmingtonNewMexico has a well-documented history of #discrimination and violence against Native residents, and #VoteSuppression is part of the continued struggle.
by Aidan Graybill
Mar 24, 2022
"In 1974 three #Navajo men — Herman #DodgeBenally, #JohnEarlHarvey, and #DavidIgnacio — were brutally murdered on the outskirts of Farmington, New Mexico by three white teenagers.
"In response to the murders, many advocacy organizations — including the University of New Mexico #KivaClub, the American Indian Movement (#AIM), and the #NAACP — mobilized in Farmington. The high schoolers responsible for the murders were sentenced to a few years at the state reformatory after closed-door proceedings. Many in the Farmington community felt this punishment wasn’t sufficient and multiple marches and protests ensued.
"Following a march in May 1974, a list of demands was presented to the Farmington mayor which addressed, “basic community problems affecting Indians, and calls for increased responsiveness by elected officials to these needs.
"While the clash between Navajos and whites in the community continued to rage, the city administration held open sessions and discussions for everyone in the community — Navajos shared their sweeping and ubiquitous experiences of discrimination.
"Whether it was high school students excluded from extracurricular activities, blue-collar workers harassed by their white employers, or individuals who were refused service at restaurants, the common themes of bigotry and racism riddled their everyday lives.
[...]
"Thirty years later, the New Mexico State Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on #CivilRights issued a follow-up report on civil rights for #NativeAmericans in Farmington. Then-president of #Shiprock Chapter, Duane Yazzie, noted that there was progress and improvement in the general social climate for Navajo people in Farmington:
"'Yes, there continues to be periodic problems but, for the most part, the efforts of the public servants, including law enforcement, the courts, the business community, and the major employers in the regions, there has been considerable advancement.'
"However, the same report also included other testimony explaining that there had actually been little progress since the 1970s, considering the lack of Native American representation in positions of civic leadership:
"'You’ve asked if change — you asked if change has happened since the early 1970s? Consider that question by looking at the numbers. Each community’s pillars are those that are elected as well as those that serve in the government structure.
"'If one looks at those positions in the local government, you will find very few, if any, Native Americans. It doesn’t matter if you look at the county, the city, or even local institutions. You will still find very few Native Americans in high-level, decision-making positions.
"'After 30 years, you would think the local governments would have made great progress in this area.'"
Original web page:
https://medium.com/the-public-magazine/redistricting-in-new-mexico-has-systematically-diluted-the-voice-of-native-voters-2679ea10ad84
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/g608Q
#ChokecherryMassacres #Diné #WhiteRacists
#MMIM #MurderedAndMissingIndigenousMen #NativeVoters #VoterSuppression