American Indians Protest Mining Bill in Madison

This past week American Indians from the Red Cliff, Bad River, and other Wisconsin bands traveled to Madison to protest the proposed Penokees iron mine in northern Wisconsin. There they joined with other activists across the state, concerned about the environmental impact of the proposed mine.





In particular they were there to protest against a bill written by the Gogebic Taconite mining company that would roll back environmental regulations. About 400 people attended a protest against the bill, that unfortunately was passed Thursday by the Wisconsin State Assembly.

During one of this week's protests, authorities ejected and fine a drummer from Red Cliff for drumming inside the state capitol building.  In the fracas that ensued, all of the other protesters and spectators were also ejected, due to new policies in the capitol building which ban the holding of signs, and the taking of pictures.

Below is video footage of the press conference that the Bad River Band held outlining the reasons for their opposition to the mining bill:

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