STOP THE OGLALA SIOUX GOVERNMENT PERSECUTION OF DUANE MARTIN SR. NOW - DROP ALL CHARGES - RETURN HIM TO PINE RIDGE
On May 11th, Duane Martin Sr. returned to Pine Ridge after 30 days of illegal banishment off the reservation for his court hearing to hopefully once and for all put an end to the false charges instigated against him by members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe Government (OST) and Judiciary offices as punishment for Mr. Martin's support of the brave Lakota elders who undertook a peaceful, 34 day sit-in to pray for relief from the documented elder abuse, fraud, and corruption in the Porcupine Elderly Meals Program.
When Duane and his associates arrived at the tribal court, the office was closed, and a sign was posted that read, "Oglala Sioux Tribal Court will be closed Wednesday May 11, 2011 due to Justice Summit at the Prairie Winds Casino. We will resume office hours on Thursday May 12, 2011."
Fortunately, a picture was taken of the sign and the front of the tribal court offices. Grandmother Wilma Thin Elk then went to the Justice Summit to observe the proceedings. Around the same time, Mr. Martin's attorney stopped communicating and ceased contact with Duane and other legal advocates in violation of his legal duties.
At the so-called Justice Summit, OST Prosecutor Don Twiss publicly told people that Duane Martin Sr. failed to show for his May 11th court date. We have heard he was told to spread this lie by OST Attorney General Rae Ann Red Owl who has been central the the false and politically motivated persecution of Mr. Martin. At the same time, OST Council woman Deborah Rooks-Cook was publicly intoxicated at the Justice Summit but no action was taken against her, showing again there is one set of rules for OST officials, and unequal treatment under the law for everyone else.
Just hours ago, a relative of Mr. Martin was stopped by three OST Public Safety police and asked the whereabouts of Duane Martin Sr. claiming he failed to show for his court date.
These actions indicate criminal conspiracy within the OST and a further violation of Mr. Martin's civil rights. This false and malicious persecution, abuse of power, unequal treatment under the law, and ongoing politically motivated retaliation based on cultural and political views IS ILLEGAL and must end now!
1. Contact the Oglala Sioux Tribal Government.
Tell them the false prosecution of Duane must end, and it must end now.
Tell them his charges must be dropped, and those on the tribal council and in the Judiciary who are conspiring in these illegal acts must be removed and held accountable immediately.
Let them know we may have been quiet, but we have not gone away. We demand accountability and relief at the NEXT TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING!
President John Yellow Bird Steele office (605) 441/6350, home phone (605) 867 5474,
Vice-President Thomas Poor Bear (605) 441/6365
You can also try to reach them at (605) 867-5821 extension 268 via tribal council secretary Rhonda Two Eagle. Send council emails through Rhonda at: Rhonda@oglala.org
2. Contact the OST Police
Tell them to enforce the OST Constitution instead of being the lapdogs for corrupt OST officials. Stop the false and illegal persecution of Duane Martin Sr.
OST Public Safety Police Captain Milton Bianis 605-441-7597 (cell)
605-867-8101 / 605-867-8102 (office)
3. Contact the OST Tribal Council
a. Give council woman Ruth Brown (Eagle Nest District Representative) your support and ask her to continue her efforts for justice. Her phone is 605-441-6364
b. Contact the other OST Tribal Council members and tell them their inaction and hypocrisy will not be tolerated.
Beverly Tuttle 605-454-3836 Porcupine District
Troy “Scott” Weston (605)-454-6238 Porcupine District
Sonia Weston 605-441-7120 email: soniaw@gwtc.net Wakpamni District
Debbie Blue Bird 605-454-1892 Wakpamni District
Craig Dillon 605-685-8594 La Creek District
Ella “John” Carlow 605-685-5607 Pine Ridge District
Donn Fire Thunder 605-441-6360 La Creek District
Robin Tapio 605-454-0771 Email: supertap_46@yahoo.com Pine Ridge District
Kathy Janis 605-441-6340 Wounded Knee District, Tribal Housing Office
James Cross 605-454-4693 Pass Creek District
Jim Meeks 605-454-3883 Eagle Nest District
Irving “Irv” Provost 605-441-6374 Pine Ridge District Representative
Austin Watkins, Sr. 605-441-6339 Medicine Root District Representative
James “Toby” Big Boy 605-454-6740 Medicine Root District Representative
Elaine (Poor Bear) Martinez 605-441-6369 Pass Creek District Representative
Paul Little 605-441-6349 Oglala District Representative
Kevin Yellow Bird Steele 605-454-1066 Wounded Knee District Representative
DEMAND HER RESIGNATION Deborah Rooks - Cook 605-441-6355 Oglala District Representative
Wowasakeikcupi – We are taking back the way.