Donation protected
Hello, my name is Rene and I'm an activist and friend of Marcus Mitchell. This campaign is for Marcus Mitchell (Diné), a Standing Rock water protector who was shot in the face with a bean bag round by North Dakota law enforcement the morning of January 19th, 2017 during an action to reclaim Backwater Bridge. A recent article in the Guardian has helped share his story (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/04/standing-rock-marcus-mitchell-shooting-charges).
The shot, which was fired from 35 feet while Marcus' hands were raised in the air, shattered his cheek and the orbital wall of his left eye. The injury caused permanent vision loss in his left eye, partial hearing loss, nerve and spinal damage and destroyed all remaining senses on the left side of his face.
Marcus was then kept handcuffed and under armed guard at a medical center in Bismarck, ND, and was denied water and access to a phone. His injury and whereabouts were kept secret by North Dakota law enforcement and medical staff, and only through convincing a guard to let him borrow a cellphone was he able to make contact with family to inform them of his condition and location.
Over a year later, Marcus is still struggling to fight his case in the courts, as well as facing astronomical medical debt and costs of travel from his home in New Mexico to North Dakota for court. This fundraiser is a way to help offer some relief of those costs.
While he is one of the last few awaiting trial, there are hundreds of warrants still out for water protectors and many stories untold. Marcus believes that in telling his story and making his battle public, the lessons of Standing Rock will not be forgotten.
“I believe that now is the time to share my story because we must not be afraid and we must share the truth about what this country is doing to Indigenous People and our precious mother water for the existence of next 7 generations. Our struggle is not over, it is just beginning.”
If you can donate, please do, or if you know someone who can please reach out to them.
The shot, which was fired from 35 feet while Marcus' hands were raised in the air, shattered his cheek and the orbital wall of his left eye. The injury caused permanent vision loss in his left eye, partial hearing loss, nerve and spinal damage and destroyed all remaining senses on the left side of his face.
Marcus was then kept handcuffed and under armed guard at a medical center in Bismarck, ND, and was denied water and access to a phone. His injury and whereabouts were kept secret by North Dakota law enforcement and medical staff, and only through convincing a guard to let him borrow a cellphone was he able to make contact with family to inform them of his condition and location.
Over a year later, Marcus is still struggling to fight his case in the courts, as well as facing astronomical medical debt and costs of travel from his home in New Mexico to North Dakota for court. This fundraiser is a way to help offer some relief of those costs.
While he is one of the last few awaiting trial, there are hundreds of warrants still out for water protectors and many stories untold. Marcus believes that in telling his story and making his battle public, the lessons of Standing Rock will not be forgotten.
“I believe that now is the time to share my story because we must not be afraid and we must share the truth about what this country is doing to Indigenous People and our precious mother water for the existence of next 7 generations. Our struggle is not over, it is just beginning.”
If you can donate, please do, or if you know someone who can please reach out to them.
Organizer and beneficiary
Charlie Rene
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Marcus Mitchell
Beneficiary