FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 3rd, 2023
Contact:
Sabrina Chapa Sabrina@tiestolatierra.org
Anthony Diaz Anthony@newarkwatercoalition.org
Statement from Family of Indigenous Activist, Jacob Johns, Shot Last Week at Peaceful Prayer Circle
As of this morning, the shooter of beloved indigenous artist, father, and climate and human rights activist Jacob Johns remains in custody until his district court hearing. Jacob is still in critical condition. We call on the media and public officials to stop naming the perpetrator and sharing his image or video of the incident and instead keep attention where it belongs: on healing and the cause of justice.
The horrific and racist incident happened last week while Tewa (Española) community members held a sacred ceremony and protested the reinstallation of a statue honoring a Spanish conquistador. Jacob (Hopi and Akimel O’odham) was called to pray and sing with Tewa Indigenous matriarchs, elders, children and allies.
For generations, Indigenous communities have faced harm, death, and systemic oppression. Last week's premeditated shooting is just another historical event in a series of traumatic events in Indigenous history. That this intentional premeditated act of violence was perpetrated against a peaceful prayer camp, located at the former Oñate statue draws attention to the lengthy history of injustices against Black, Indigenous, and People of Color by dehumanizing systems and divisive ideologies the community was protesting.
The family wishes to keep attention on a narrative of unity, not instead of division. It is essential to center the perspectives of all those involved in the spiritual event and those impacted from the violence. The physical, mental, and emotional trauma this has caused to Jacob will be lifelong. Jacob is not the only victim here. The physical trauma was with Jacob but there are other emotional traumas that were inflicted on the full community including the women, children, and elders that were present that day and their stories must be told.
At the foremost, it is essential that this incident not be described as a clash between protestors. Indigenous community members were conducting a peaceful and spiritual assembly when they were attacked and made victims of an attempted mass murder. It is only because the shooter’s gun jammed that Malaya Peixinho and others were not also injured or worse. (For a more detailed account of the incident, please see this press release from The Red Nation.)
Second: While police were present earlier in the day and had previously escorted the shooter away for disruptive behavior, they later permitted the shooter to return and then left, abandoning peaceful demonstrators despite the clear threat. LaVerne McGrath, Jacob’s mother, hopes that this tragedy can lead to a re-orientation of the role of police, from one in which threats to Black, Indigenous and People of color are downplayed and intervention only occurs once those threats become violence, to one that upholds peace and safety
Third: The shooter made the point to introduce himself to members of the media and requested that he was photographed and filmed. Coverage that provides the notoriety he clearly sought exacerbates the harm he has perpetrated on Jacob and his loved ones, the Tewa community and all Black, Indigenous and People of Color for whom racial violence creates ongoing trauma.
Though he remains in jail today, our work must continue to ensure that the shooter accounts for his crimes in the justice system. New Mexico’s justice system has an opportunity to send a message now that violence targeting BIPOC people will not go without firm consequence. The state of New Mexico has a chance to ensure the safety of all residents’ right to celebrate, pray, protest, and mourn by changing policies and procedures around protecting the security of peaceful gatherings. The family is asking for full accountability to set precedence on this evil act to ensure that we stop future perpetrators and ensure community safety.
Jacob Johns’ Family’s Demands
- To the District Court Judge: Approve the motion to prevent the shooter’s release and instead keep him in pre-trial custody, as he poses a significant risk to our community and all communities.
- To the Arriba County Prosecutor and First Judicial District Attorney: Add federal hate crime to the list of charges, and to seek the maximum sentence. This was a racially and culturally motivated hate crime and must be treated as such.
- To the public: Continue to support the family and their monetary needs:
- To Rio Arriba County officials: Assure the Oñate statue is not replaced.
- To the media: Stop showing the pictures and videos of the shooter which can encourage similar violence and instead show the pictures and videos of the reality of the harm that was done to Jacob John’s and his family. (Link to photos provided by the family)
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