NDN Legal Fund

On July 4th, 2021, Indigenous climbers - representing 10 different nations from Turtle Island and Palestine - were arrested for confronting the legacy of white supremacy that is commemorated every 4th of July. This is not a celebratory day for Indigenous People here nor is it a celebratory day for other Peoples and regions consumed by the Imperialist efforts of the United States. LANDBACK is not a metaphor, it is our present reality and our future struggle; there is no repair or justice until Indigenous peoples reclaim our land. This place, the Black Hills, represents the entire cycle of life and deserves nothing less than Return.

NDN Collective
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About

About the fund

The NDN Legal Fund is the official legal fund of the NDN Collective whose mission is to:

Build the collective power of Indigenous Peoples, communities, and Nations to exercise our inherent right to self-determination, while fostering a world that is built on a foundation of justice and equity for all people and the planet.

The purpose of this Legal Fund is to protect our people through both offensive and defensive legal representation in the courts. We fully recognize that non-violent direct action and civil disobedience are fundamental revolutionary tools for the liberation of Indigenous People, our lands and all people. Therefore this fund is dedicated to providing duty of care for individuals and partners that engage in NDN actions, protest and cultural activities affiliated with NDN Collective and its related entities and subsidiaries.

Along with protecting the individuals who have taken action in partnership with NDN, this fund is also used to protect the organization itself from attacks from the local, state and federal government who wish to silence our leaders, jail our people and deter our movement from its goals. We understand that we are doing very important system change work in an era where there is a full on proactive assault on the right to protest and free speech. In almost every single region in which NDN works and supports the movement there are anti-protest laws in place as an attempt to prevent us from mobilizing our communities and people. Yet we take the risk and continue to organize in these conditions because the very survival of our people and nations are at stake. This legal fund will work to ensure proper legal representation whether it be criminal or civil matters. The multiple jurisdictions that zig zag through the Indigenous world include Tribal, County,City, State, Federal and International jurisdictions. This fund will be used in whatever jurisdictions are necessary to protect our people, our organization and our movement.

Our Demands

We demand that the jail and prison industrial complex be dismantled and its ability to prosecute our freedom fighters and revolutionaries come to an end immediately. We call for the defunding of the jail and prison industrial complex and adequate reparations be paid to the victims and family members of the victims of this racist oppressive system.

We demand that those currently in power that are responsible for perpetuating this racist system be held accountable for their actions.

We demand that all wrongfully jailed and imprisoned political prisoners be released immediately

We demand that all charges currently in place for all acts of direct action and civil disobedience be dropped immediately.

We demand that all current individual and organizational intimidation tactics by all facets of law enforcement end immediately and public apologies be made for them abusing their position of privilege and power.

We demand that all anti-protest laws be rescinded immediately

We demand that all laws that prohibit or chill free speech be rescinded immediately

Close Mount Rushmore as a National Monument

Return the land back to the Lakota people whose land it is for them to decide what to do with it moving forward

End White Supremacy and systemic racism

Due care and support

Eligible Activities and Expenses of this Fund include

Bail and Bond Funds

Jail Support

Legal fines, fees and dues

Travel Support for individuals arrested or facing prosecution

Attorney Fees

Attorney expenses

Expert Witnesses

Video & Photo Cataloging and Organization

Meals, lodging and medical support for arrestees

Mobilization and organizing for trials associated with arrest or court proceedings

Mental Health Support for arrestees

Spiritual and Cultural Support for arrestees

Hiring Legal organizers, database managers and coordinators for small and mass arrest situations

Hiring Lawyers and attorneys to represent NDN Collective as an organization

Hiring Lawyers and attorneys to represent NDN partners and collaborators

Communications, Outreach and Marketing strategies consistent with the offensive and defensive legal strategies

Legal Strategy and Coordination convenings

Joint representation agreements

Pro Hac Vice Coordination

Volunteer Coordination

Legal Database Build out and maintenance

Transportation services

Other arrestee support services

Civil Litigation

Criminal Litigation

Passport, Green Card and work permit fees for international arrestees

Bookkeeping, Bank Fees, Administrative cost associated with management of fund and arrestee support.