Black and Indigenous Solidarity Rally
Decolonize Zhigaagoong Defund CPD: Black and Indigenous Solidarity Rally
Friday, July 17, 2020
Buckingham Fountain
5:00 p.m.
Decolonization is the abolishment of slavery in all forms and the rematriation of land and life of Indigenous peoples.
Chi-Nations Youth Council, Black Lives Matter Chicago, and BYP100—among others— call for the abolishment of police and the redistribution of funds to the people of Chicago.
In 1830, during the Indian Removal Act, the Chicago Police Department was founded—three years before Chicago was official. These overlaps are often seen as coincidental, but the history of police in the United States shows a clear mission to remove Native peoples from our land and enslave our Black relatives.
“The Indian Removal Act was signed into law on May 28, 1830, by United States President Andrew Jackson. The law, as described by Congress, provided “for an exchange of lands with the Native Americans residing in any of the states or territories, and for their removal west of the river Mississippi.“”
All land east of Michigan Avenue is unceded Niswi-mishkodewinan territory. The city of Chicago has no rights to this land—through treaty or sale. It is occupied only by white supremacist entitlement and a collective delusion of ownership.
We are gathering and celebrating ourselves as Black and Indigenous peoples. We are tired of having to say, “We are people.” We are tired of having to say, “We matter.” We built this country as Black and Indigenous peoples. Our knowledge and labor have been exploited for too long.
Let’s dance, sing, party, and celebrate ourselves.
Bring drums, flags, music, and food. Wear a mask.
Artwork
Art by River Kerstetter
