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Why is Our Colleague Facing 17 years in Prison for Protesting?
Eighth Generation is a proud partner of NDN Collective and their CEO Nick Tilsen, a highly respected community leader and advocate for Indigenous rights. This is why we are outraged that our colleague and ally is facing 17 years in jail for "trumped up" charges.
Nick Tilsen speaks to press at the NDN Collective headquarters in Rapid City. Photo taken by Arlo Iron Cloud from NDN Collective blog, "Nick Tilsen Statement Upon Release from Arrest: 'We have to Act in Courage and in Bravery.'"
On July 3rd, Tilsen was among 200 Indigenous Land Defenders present at the sacred Black Hills when President Trump spoke in front of the iconic Mt. Rushmore. The indigenous presence carried a strong message for those of us watching from a far: President Trump is unwelcome in the sacred Black Hills - from which the faces of 4 Presidents were cut and blasted - and that to most Indigenous people, those faces are often more symbolic of looting and oppression than of liberty.
Land Defenders in the Black Hills on July 3, 2020. Photo taken by Willi White from NDN Collective blog, "Nick Tilsen Statement Upon Release from Arrest: 'We have to Act in Courage and in Bravery.'"
A few meters away, these ideas were validated when law enforcement met the indigenous Land Defenders with force (read more here). Twenty Land Defenders, including Tilsen, were rounded up and charged with misdemeanors and felonies. Tilsen is facing 17 years of prison for charges that include second-degree robbery, second count of simple assault and grand theft (read more here).
Tilsen states in his opinion piece from Newsweek, "To us, it is simple: We want our land back, and we want to dismantle the system of white supremacy and racism that was created to steal our lands in the first place."
Land Defenders in the Black Hills on July 3, 2020. Photo taken by Willi White from NDN Collective blog, "Nick Tilsen Statement Upon Release from Arrest: 'We have to Act in Courage and in Bravery.'"
To help, sign the petitions below to demand change.
Marsha Katz
Sep 10, 2020
No one should be prosecuted for peaceful protesting and seeking the return of stolen goods/land.
Drop the charges against NDN Collective President & CEO Nick Tilsen
Drop the charges against the Black Hills Land Defenders
Petition to close Mt. Rushmore and Return All Public Lands in the Black Hills to the Oceti Sakowin
Gloria Healy
Sep 10, 2020
I am a 60 year old citizen that has voted in every election since the age of 18. I am clearly old enough to remember democracy and politicians doing what is best for the country- regardless of party.
This President has no respect for democracy nor does it honor treaties that were signed long ago. Is it not enough to wipe out indigenous people in the name of Manifest Destiny- now you are trying to incarcerate them for simply wanting to retain the lands legally ceded to them!
Drop all charges against Nick Tilsen, CEO of NDN Collective immediately. There are no legal grounds to charge him or the Black Hills defenders of Sacred Land. America lost its honor long ago and since 45 has taken office – we have no morals nor are there any sanctities left.
For the once in this pathetic country’s history during the last 3 plus years – do the moral and right thing. Stop illegally voiding treaties, release those protecting those treaties and stop taking further land that does not belong to the U.S.!
Hilarita Silberberg
Sep 10, 2020
Political imprisonment is ANTI-American. Nick Tilsen and the Black Hills Land Defenders have a duty to confront the misuse of Public Lands, of which the use of this site for an election campaign, certainly was.
Ursula Feulner
Sep 10, 2020
Drop the charges against NDN Collective President & CEO Nick Tilsen
Drop the charges against the Black Hills Land Defenders
Petition to close Mt. Rushmore and Return All Public Lands in the Black Hills to the Oceti Sakowin