Opposing Extradition of Dennis Banks
1976 General Resolution
WHEREAS, Dennis Banks is acknowledged by many Native Americans to be a militant leader in the struggle for justice in the cause of Native American rights; andWHEREAS, Dennis Banks has fled from convictions on a charge of riot and a charge of assault stemming from his involvement in an incident in Custer, South Dakota (and no Native American has ever served on a jury in South Dakota); and
WHEREAS, subsequent charges were dismissed with prejudice by a federal court in Oregon in June of 1976; and
WHEREAS, the state of South Dakota in June 1976 served a warrant of extradition for Dennis Banks on Governor Straub of Oregon and, previously, on Governor Brown of California; and
WHEREAS, according to American Indian leaders, more than 150 Native Americans in South Dakota have been killed or severely injured while in custody and Dennis Banks has publicly stated that he will be killed if he is returned to South Dakota;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the 1976 General Assembly of the UUA request that both Governor Brown and Governor Straub grant asylum and refuse to extradite Dennis Banks to South Dakota and that members and societies be urged to communicate the same request to these two governors.
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Last updated on Wednesday, August 24, 2011.
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