RSS FeedGRANTS - Some of the Navajo Nation's top executives met with the Grants Chief of Police and the department's detectives to discuss what could be done to help the victims in some recent beatings of Native American men.
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Also in attendance was Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission Executive Director Leonard Gorman and Lt. Tulley Jim, assistant chief of police.
“I ask that all citizens of Grants and Milan, from all walks of life no matter what race, nationality, join hands with the Navajo Nation and not condone this type of behavior toward any human being,” said Shelly. “The Navajo people, as well as all Native American people, have the same right to be treated fairly, equally and have their values and beliefs respected like all citizens of the United States.”
The NNHRC backed the Dine tribe in recent Traditional Cultural Property registration of Mount Taylor. The commission's website reported it was “thrilled” with the accepted nomination of Mount Taylor to the New Mexico State Register of Historic Properties.
“The NNHRC is elated with the permanent listing of Mount Taylor . . . and will continue to advocated for Dine sacred sites,” states the website.
A memorandum was proposed between the two police departments as planned to jointly address racial crimes, but was stopped short by Chief Steve Sena.
“I think that would have to go through the city, since they make all those decisions,” said Sena.
Grants Mayor Joe Murrietta who said he was unaware of the meeting, was not in attendance and was blasted by the Navajo vice-president.
“I am an elected official and I am busy too,” said Shelly, “but I made time to be here and I think he should have been here. I think it is disrespectful.”
Chief Sena told the upset official that he understood the meeting to be private between the two groups and a matter of miscommunication.
“I didn't hear about the meeting until after the fact,” said Mayor Murrietta. He indicated that the next meeting, scheduled for July 23, he would be in attendance. The hearing will be from noon to 4:30 p.m. at city hall.
Det. Kevin Dobbs said he was concerned about the victims getting to court and also into a safe environment.
Eight Native American men were attacked and beaten in Grants between June 9-17.
The only arrest in the beatings has been that of Shawn Longoria. He was arrested on June 24 and his preliminary hearing will continue on July 14.
An alleged battery was reported on July 6 to police by a man who found Emerson Sloan bleeding from his right hand. While police are still investigating, detectives cannot say one way or the other if the case is connected to the recent attacks of Native Americans.
Officers discovered a one inch laceration on the top of Sloan's right hand.
The man who called in the incident is the same man who told officers about the initial beatings. The Native American men were staying at the man's house for shelter, but have since stayed elsewhere when the house was targeted for attacks.
Amos Slim, who was severely beaten in a June 18 attack, was airlifted to a hospital in Albuquerque. He was recently moved to priority care.
Comments
concerned wrote on Jul 22, 2009 1:14 AM:
pueblo pride wrote on Jul 21, 2009 8:41 AM:
Proud Native wrote on Jul 20, 2009 4:58 PM:
native wrote on Jul 16, 2009 3:23 PM:
Jay wrote on Jul 16, 2009 8:48 AM:
There is enough celebrations, there has been enough done. Stop looking for excuses! "
k fahlsing wrote on Jul 14, 2009 11:22 PM:
Wendy Littletree wrote on Jul 12, 2009 9:17 AM:
jay wrote on Jul 9, 2009 5:43 PM:
The Mayor missed the meeting nice work! That shows that this is a stupid issue being blown out of proportion.
And he blasted the Mayor what pride he has.. Lets not let the Native Nation come in and take the show over. "