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From: Aimfl@aol.com
Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2000 10:42:25 EST
Subject: BOMBARD WINZ RACIST STATION WITH EMAIL
Greetings:
As most of you are aware a tragic situation on the Miccosukee Reservation near Miami turned into a key legal battle over the sovereignty of Indian Nations.
Kirk Billie, a tribal member, drove his girlfriends Chevy Tahoe into a 13 foot deep canal, located just off the reservation, killing their two small children. In some traditional manner the Miccosukees dealt with the matter, and have refused to allow Metro Miami-Dade County Police and United States Marshals to serve subpoenas allowing the questioning of witnesses. The questioning of witnesses is integral to the intent of the case. Miami-Dade County State Attorneys argue Billie intended to kill the children; he has stated he did not know they were in the back of the SUV.
The Miccosukee Tribe argued in Tribal Court and in US District Court that the sovereignty of the tribe allows them to prohibit the service of such warrants on the reservation. The Major Crimes Act does not apply since the incident occurred off the reservation. Yesterday the US District Court upheld the tribe's position.
Today WINZ radio's disc jockey made the following commentary reported to the Florida AIM State Office by South Florida AIM Support Group members;
"The Miccosukees can just make more babies, get their squaws pregnant, so it's no big deal."
"We kicked the Indians' asses 400 hundred years ago so bite me." He then urged that US military action be used to force the Miccosukee Tribe to acquiesce to the subpoenas.
Such attacks on sovereignty are increasing in Florida. The Saint Petersburg Times has for five years demanded that tribes be subordinate to state rule, and that tribes economic development should be ruled by the counties and states.
Florida AIM asks our friends and supporters to email WINZ at <pbolger@ccmiami.com>, and let them know that such racist, insensitive, tasteless, attacks upon Indigenous National sovereignty are not going to be tolerated. Further we ask that the Disc Jockey involved be suspended.
Update (1/12/01):
This morning WINZ 940 AM radio apologized on the air for their racist and insensitive commentary regarding the tragedy involving Miccosukee Tribal member Kirk Billie and Miccosukee sovereignty.
[Everyone] involved has been suspended, reprimanded and a letter of apology has been sent to the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. Further WINZ has agreed to a future racial sensitivity workshop to be conducted by Florida AIM.
We thank all those who assisted Florida AIM in this effort with your emails, calls, faxes and support of our FCC complaint.
Florida AIM
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