When colonial white society invades and occupies our territories
these are not called criminal acts.

But when Native people stand up and resist,
these acts are considered criminal.
But these are not crimes.

They are political acts in which our people stand up
for their rights of self-determination, self-dignity, and self-respect
against the cruel and oppressive might of another nation…

It is not a new development
for white society to steal from non-white people.
When white society succeeds,
it is called colonialism.

When white society’s efforts to colonise other people
are met with resistance,
it is called war.

But when the colonized Indians of North America
meet this theft with resistance, we are called criminals."

(Leonard Peltier, May 1976)

Luc Majno

Labels: Leonard Peltier, May 1976