The American Indian Movement (AIM)
The American Indian Movement (AIM) is a Native American organization in the United States. It was founded in 1968, with the purpose to eliminate discriminating against the Native Americans and to establish recognition of their treaty rights. The founders of this organization are Dennis Banks, Herb Powless, Clyde Belle court, Eddie Benton Banai, Russell Means, and many others. Russel Means is one of the earliest leaders of AIM. He is one of contemporary America's best-known and prolific activists for the rights of Native Americans.
Since AIM's founding, the group has led protests releasing Indigenous American interests, they have inspired cultural renewal, monitored police activities and coordinated employment programs in cities and …show more content…
Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist and member of the American Indian Movement was eventually convicted of the agents’ deaths. Many AIM activists claim that the AIM members who shot at the FBI agents shot in self-defense, so the killing was not a murder. Two of Peltier's co-defendants in the murder were released on grounds of self-defense in a separate trial. Peltier's critics point out that one of the agents was shot and killed at close range after being wounded. This killing and the subsequent conviction of Peltier have created major controversy between activists and FBI agents. US Court of Appeals Judge Gerald Heaney concluded that "Native Americans" were partially culpable for the gunshot incident in which they three FBI agents died but he believed the incident was over reacted and it created a climate of …show more content…
Many Wounded Knee residents argue to this, and say that the AIM occupation led to the destruction of their community and homes. Several trials of AIM members resulted from the confrontation, which resulted in some courtroom brawls with U.S. Marshals, but few AIM members were convicted for their roles in the standoff.
AIM has been the subject of much controversy, most of it centering around the 1977 trial of Leonard Peltier, the AIM member convicted the murders of two FBI agents. Some activists doubt that he was responsible for these murders. The Amnesty International and others throughout the world, has called for his release. Other activists say the murders occurred in a war-like environment, and that Peltier's role in the killings should be reviewed due to the
Since AIM's founding, the group has led protests releasing Indigenous American interests, they have inspired cultural renewal, monitored police activities and coordinated employment programs in cities and …show more content…
Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist and member of the American Indian Movement was eventually convicted of the agents’ deaths. Many AIM activists claim that the AIM members who shot at the FBI agents shot in self-defense, so the killing was not a murder. Two of Peltier's co-defendants in the murder were released on grounds of self-defense in a separate trial. Peltier's critics point out that one of the agents was shot and killed at close range after being wounded. This killing and the subsequent conviction of Peltier have created major controversy between activists and FBI agents. US Court of Appeals Judge Gerald Heaney concluded that "Native Americans" were partially culpable for the gunshot incident in which they three FBI agents died but he believed the incident was over reacted and it created a climate of …show more content…
Many Wounded Knee residents argue to this, and say that the AIM occupation led to the destruction of their community and homes. Several trials of AIM members resulted from the confrontation, which resulted in some courtroom brawls with U.S. Marshals, but few AIM members were convicted for their roles in the standoff.
AIM has been the subject of much controversy, most of it centering around the 1977 trial of Leonard Peltier, the AIM member convicted the murders of two FBI agents. Some activists doubt that he was responsible for these murders. The Amnesty International and others throughout the world, has called for his release. Other activists say the murders occurred in a war-like environment, and that Peltier's role in the killings should be reviewed due to the