Friends,

Last night and this afternoon, a group repesenting the American Indian Movement Support Group of Ohio and Northern Kentucky once again welcomed the fans of Cleveland to Cincinnati. These two pre-season games were the first to be played in the new Great American Ball Park. Each time the Cleveland team visits Cincinnati, they are greeted by our group, and an attempt is made to educate them how we and thousands of other Indian and non-Indian People feel about their name and mascot. This event also served as a warm-up for the annual opening day protest held in Cleveland, which we will also attend.

In spite of getting slammed by local talk show hosts, being
verbally and, in two cases, physically assaulted by both
Cleveland fans *and* Cincinnati fans, we stood our ground and got
our message out to thousands who I am sure were not aware of the
problem previsouly. Although we were asked to leave the area by Great American Ballpark staff when we first arrived, we had verified location and legality with Cincinnati police and we politely declined.

25 persons of conscience, both Indian and non-Indian, all local area residents, dedicated to Native American Rights, specifically, the right to be respected and not to be ridiculed as a sports team mascot stood for over 5 hours with our message clear. In doing so we had to endure ridicule and degradation as we have never experienced in Cincinnati. We were, however, interviewed in one fair and unbiased news report from 700 WLW, the same radio station whose Friday night and Saturday morning talk show hosts demonized us and accused us of taking away people's "freedom of thought" while imposing their views on the audience and brooking no others.

Words can not express the gratitude I have for those who stood in the
line, and did not waver, keeping their dignity and poise under very
difficult conditions. I feel that their resolve has been
strengthened, as has mine, and we shall continue the struggle until
we are victorious in ridding this entire country of these vile
caricatures of our People.

Now we prepare for Cleveland.