
A group of Indigenous leaders and allies on Wednesday occupied the Bureau of Indian Affairs. (Photo: Twitter/Jennifer K. Falcon)
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
A group of Indigenous leaders and allies on Wednesday occupied the Bureau of Indian Affairs. (Photo: Twitter/Jennifer K. Falcon)
Declaring that "another world is possible," a group of Indigenous leaders on Thursday occupied the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C.--the first time such an action has taken place in roughly 50 years.
According to a statement from the Indigenous Environmental Network, 55 people were arrested and taken away to D.C. Metro police stations.
At least two activists were tased by the police, organizers said. Police also assaulted one person with Indigenous media and broke their equipment, they added.
The group of at least 50 activists taking part in the action, made up of Indigenous leaders and their allies, issued a statement with a series of demands for President Joe Biden, including for him to ban any new oil, gas, or other extractive industry leases on public lands.
\u201cArrests have started inside the BIA.\nPolice are threatening press and taking equipment. Announcing they will arrest Indigenous press. #occupythebia #expectus\u201d— Jennifer K. Falcon (@Jennifer K. Falcon) 1634234563
"We will no longer allow the U.S. government to separate us from our relationship to the sacred knowledge of Mother Earth and all who depend on her," said the group. "Her songs have no end, so we must continue the unfinished work of our ancestors who have walked on before us. Because of colonization, our mission has been passed on generation after generation--to protect the sacred. Just as those who walked before us, we continue their song and rise for our youth, for the land, and for the water."
"Politicians do not take care of us," they added. "Presidents will break their promises, but Mother Earth has always given us what we need to thrive. We will not back down until our natural balance is restored."
\u201cBREAKING: Indigenous Leaders are occupying the Bureau of Indian Affairs in DC for the first time since the 1970's. \nWe told @JoeBiden to expect us and we aren't backing down\n\n#landback #stopline3 #NOdapl #waterislife\u201d— Jennifer K. Falcon (@Jennifer K. Falcon) 1634226686
In addition to the group inside, video shared on social media shows a crowd of supporters outside the building.
\u201cOUTSIDE THE BUILDING:\u201d— People vs. Fossil Fuels (@People vs. Fossil Fuels) 1634229392
The group issued 14 sweeping demands to Biden. From their statement:
The action comes on the fourth day of the People Vs. Fossil Fuels mobilization, which is urging Biden to make good on his climate campaign pledges.
This article has been updated from an earlier version.
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Declaring that "another world is possible," a group of Indigenous leaders on Thursday occupied the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C.--the first time such an action has taken place in roughly 50 years.
According to a statement from the Indigenous Environmental Network, 55 people were arrested and taken away to D.C. Metro police stations.
At least two activists were tased by the police, organizers said. Police also assaulted one person with Indigenous media and broke their equipment, they added.
The group of at least 50 activists taking part in the action, made up of Indigenous leaders and their allies, issued a statement with a series of demands for President Joe Biden, including for him to ban any new oil, gas, or other extractive industry leases on public lands.
\u201cArrests have started inside the BIA.\nPolice are threatening press and taking equipment. Announcing they will arrest Indigenous press. #occupythebia #expectus\u201d— Jennifer K. Falcon (@Jennifer K. Falcon) 1634234563
"We will no longer allow the U.S. government to separate us from our relationship to the sacred knowledge of Mother Earth and all who depend on her," said the group. "Her songs have no end, so we must continue the unfinished work of our ancestors who have walked on before us. Because of colonization, our mission has been passed on generation after generation--to protect the sacred. Just as those who walked before us, we continue their song and rise for our youth, for the land, and for the water."
"Politicians do not take care of us," they added. "Presidents will break their promises, but Mother Earth has always given us what we need to thrive. We will not back down until our natural balance is restored."
\u201cBREAKING: Indigenous Leaders are occupying the Bureau of Indian Affairs in DC for the first time since the 1970's. \nWe told @JoeBiden to expect us and we aren't backing down\n\n#landback #stopline3 #NOdapl #waterislife\u201d— Jennifer K. Falcon (@Jennifer K. Falcon) 1634226686
In addition to the group inside, video shared on social media shows a crowd of supporters outside the building.
\u201cOUTSIDE THE BUILDING:\u201d— People vs. Fossil Fuels (@People vs. Fossil Fuels) 1634229392
The group issued 14 sweeping demands to Biden. From their statement:
The action comes on the fourth day of the People Vs. Fossil Fuels mobilization, which is urging Biden to make good on his climate campaign pledges.
This article has been updated from an earlier version.
Declaring that "another world is possible," a group of Indigenous leaders on Thursday occupied the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C.--the first time such an action has taken place in roughly 50 years.
According to a statement from the Indigenous Environmental Network, 55 people were arrested and taken away to D.C. Metro police stations.
At least two activists were tased by the police, organizers said. Police also assaulted one person with Indigenous media and broke their equipment, they added.
The group of at least 50 activists taking part in the action, made up of Indigenous leaders and their allies, issued a statement with a series of demands for President Joe Biden, including for him to ban any new oil, gas, or other extractive industry leases on public lands.
\u201cArrests have started inside the BIA.\nPolice are threatening press and taking equipment. Announcing they will arrest Indigenous press. #occupythebia #expectus\u201d— Jennifer K. Falcon (@Jennifer K. Falcon) 1634234563
"We will no longer allow the U.S. government to separate us from our relationship to the sacred knowledge of Mother Earth and all who depend on her," said the group. "Her songs have no end, so we must continue the unfinished work of our ancestors who have walked on before us. Because of colonization, our mission has been passed on generation after generation--to protect the sacred. Just as those who walked before us, we continue their song and rise for our youth, for the land, and for the water."
"Politicians do not take care of us," they added. "Presidents will break their promises, but Mother Earth has always given us what we need to thrive. We will not back down until our natural balance is restored."
\u201cBREAKING: Indigenous Leaders are occupying the Bureau of Indian Affairs in DC for the first time since the 1970's. \nWe told @JoeBiden to expect us and we aren't backing down\n\n#landback #stopline3 #NOdapl #waterislife\u201d— Jennifer K. Falcon (@Jennifer K. Falcon) 1634226686
In addition to the group inside, video shared on social media shows a crowd of supporters outside the building.
\u201cOUTSIDE THE BUILDING:\u201d— People vs. Fossil Fuels (@People vs. Fossil Fuels) 1634229392
The group issued 14 sweeping demands to Biden. From their statement:
The action comes on the fourth day of the People Vs. Fossil Fuels mobilization, which is urging Biden to make good on his climate campaign pledges.
This article has been updated from an earlier version.