Trail of Broken Treaties Red Power movement

bia seal

in august 1972, red power movement continued under direction of american indian movement(aim) trail of broken treaties. trail of broken treaties, play on trail of tears, migration of 7 caravans areas across west coast bureau of indian affairs (bia) in washington d.c. bia had become associated corruption , not acting in best interest of american indians. protestors started arriving in d.c. on november 1 intent of bringing list of twenty demands bia. upon arrival, activists , gsa security had misunderstanding activists being housed in bia building. resulted in activists overpowering security , taking on building. american indians barricaded doors, furniture bia had broken apart, , occupation began on november 2, 1972. occupation of bia had started week before presidential election, making d.c. occupation center of media attention. threats of police force used daily against indians if did not come out. supporters outside of occupation come bia create human barricade keeping police entering occupied building. on november 6, judge had given order occupiers vacate building before 6 pm day or forcibly evicted. indians braced eviction, exited building create perimeter around clubs, spears , other weaponry resist. others inside building rumored have guns , explosives awaiting invasion of gsa officials. spokesman of occupation, russel means, spoke on front stairs of bia explaining occupation end when demands had been met, , no time sooner. deadline indians leave pushed yet again november 8. before date, indian lawyers had discovered evidence abolish bia exposure of corruption , misuse of program. on november 8, protestors left bia building paintings, artifacts, , $2 million dollars worth of damage.