Indians occupy Govt building

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33066, 6 November 1972, Page 17

Indians occupy Govt building

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, Nov. 5. About 200 American Indians, some wearing traditional warpaint and wielding tomahawks, began their fourth day of occupation of the Indian Affairs Bureau building in Washington today, demanding more economic and social benefits. Some of them guarded the entrances with makeshift weapons, but a Government

spokesman had said last night that no overnight attempt would be made to dislodge the demonstrators. The Indians, who are taking part in a week-long protest called “The Trail of Broken Treaties,” are awaiting fresh talks with Government officials, and a Court of Appeals ruling on whether they will be allowed to hold services at the Arlington National Cemetery, where American war veterans are buried. The Indians want to hold a memorial service at the grave of Ira Hayes, a Pima tribe Indian who gained fame for helping to raise the American flag on the Pacific island of Iwo Jima after its capture from the Japanese during the Second World War.

The Army has refused permission for the service, on the ground that it cannot allow activities at the cemetery which either support or oppose Government policy. Indian Affairs Bureau officials estimate that damage amounting to $U5250,000 was caused to their offices on Thursday, when the demonstrators occupied it forcibly.