American Indian Movement Colorado

AIM Gatherings in Colorado

1. Tomorrow, the ceremony at Four Winds (5th and Bannock) that had been held on Sunday mornings, is moving to Saturdays. The ceremony tomorrow begins at 2:30 pm, and there will be a wopila (thanksgiving) meal to follow.
2. In conjunction with the wopila meal, we will have a going-away dinner for Michelle Running Wolf and her sons, Timberwolf and Gerald. Shelley and family are moving back to Cheyenne River, where Shelley will begin a new job on Monday! Please come and give your best wishes to Shelley, Timber and Gerald. They have been an essential part of our Colorado AIM family, and we will miss them. Shelley promises, however,that she is bringing a busload of folks back for Columbus Day!
3. On Tuesday, July 24th, the University of Colorado Regents will bevoting on whether to fire Ward. This is it. This is the final decisionin whether or not to fire our fellow AIM member and brother, Ward. Avigil is scheduled for Tuesday morning, and the Regents will havetheir meeting later in the day. This message comes from Natsuregarding the plans for Tuesday.
All who can, should try to make it toBoulder for part of the day Tuesday:July 24: Regents To Vote on Firing ChurchillMain Rally at 3:30pm – CU BoulderUMC South Plaza (Broadway at Euclid St.)D-Day in the struggle to defend free speech and Prof. Ward Churchillis Tuesday July 24.On that day, the CU Regents will vote after an all-day meeting, most of which will be closed to the public. But the Regents must come outto face us when they make their vote and explain it. So, be therewith us at 3:30pm for our main rally. We will observe their vote andmake our voices heard.If you can join us for more of the day, we will hold a small rally inthe morning (7:30am, UMC South Plaza) to show our presence and we willmaintain a vigil while the fight goes on behind closed doors.Here are 5 reasons why you should join us on July 24th:1) Our enemies are watching—this attack on Prof. Churchill is a keyrightwing "test case" for a much broader national assault. The easier they think it is to fire Ward Churchill on boguscharges of research misconduct, the more attacks we'll see onprofessors, staff, and students, on ethnic studies and women's studiesprograms, and on critical thinking.2) Our friends and allies across the country and around the worldare counting on us to represent them. In just the past month, 100'sof people have written to urge the Regents NOT to fire Prof.Churchill.3) This is your last chance to weigh in—this is the final step infiring Prof. Churchill.4) The University is counting on you not to come—why else scheduleit during the summer?5) It's never too late to do what's right, as Michael Meeropol,economist and son of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg realized two weeksago: " I have hesitated to voice my support for Professor WardChurchill as his case was being adjudicated… These charges were (Ithought) substantive and went to the heart of our profession'sintegrity – relating to intellectual honesty. I have been moved,however, to finally raise my voice in protest after reading thedetailed analysis by Professor Tom Mayer…. To be frank and blunt, thecharges against Professor Churchill are bogus and represent a fig-leafof cover for a politically motivated firing…."The Regents may change their plans/location at the last minute, so,spread the word, stay tuned, and check out last minute developmentsat: http://www.wardchurchill.net/, where you can also find background andanalysis.Finally, we are students, faculty and staff at CU-Boulder who havebeen carrying on the struggle here since the beginning. Pleaserespect our game plan of holding a strong, peaceful rally and vigil.And finally,4. There is a celebration of the life of Helen Henry, one of thestrongest non-Indian supporters of AIM and of indigenous peoples thatI have ever known. Although she is frail, and about 85 years-old, sheis still keeping on, and her family has invited all of us to celebratewith them. I hope that a number of AIM people can attend, and that wecan sing for her, and show her our appreciation for her life, and forher alliance with us. Here are the details: Please join Helen's family, church and residential community incelebrating the life of our dear friend, longtime peace, indigenousrights, and social justice activist Helen Henry. Although her healthis declining, it would bring Helen great joy if her beloved friendscould join her for this party.When: Saturday, July 28, 3-6pmWhere: First Unitarian Church, Denver (14th and Lafayette), Community RoomWhy: Because we love her!What to Bring: Yourself and as many friends and family as would liketo come see herSome light refreshments will be provided by Helen's son Seth. Pleasedon't feel obliged to bring food or drink, but if you feel called todo so, that's just peachy too.There is no formal program, so please feel free to bring any stories,words, songs, or remembrances of Helen you would like to share withthe collective. Please join us to celebrate an extraordinary peacefulwarrior, as we renew and recommit ourselves to the struggle and her fine legacy.
from Colorado AIM