FREE SPEECH ZONE | Dakota Activists Drop Banners to Challenge Proposed Funding for Fort Snelling

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February 15th, 2010St. Paul, Minnesota — About 20 Dakota activists and supporters interrupted the Minnesota Historical Society’s “Rally for History” this afternoon at the state capitol. Protesters are challenging the proposed funding for the renovation of Historic Fort Snelling, the site of a 19th century concentration camp where several hundred imprisoned Dakota people died of starvation and disease while 1,600 were held by US troops during the winter of 1862-1863. Protesters say that by choosing to preserve the fort, Minnesotans are choosing to celebrate a symbol of violence against native people.Activists with the Take Down The Fort Campaign unfurled several banners above and in front of the podium, and denounced Fort Snelling as a symbol of genocide while the speakers pressed on with their rally. Free Speech ZoneThe Free Speech Zone offers a space for contributions from readers, without editing by the TC Daily Planet. Continue Reading