Dennis Bank$ in a video said “for some of us the drum never stopped” and I suppose that’s true in a number of ways for a variety of people, but Bank$ predictably makes no mention of those for whom the drum has stopped.
The drum no longer reverberates for AIM victims like Annie Mae Pictou Aquash, nor does the bell toll for another AIM victim by the name of Perry Ray Robinson jr.
Bank$ has also lamented the fact that the AIM era ended too soon, an opinion open to argument.
The survivors of AIM’s victims might well say it didn’t end soon enough, before AIM’s reign of terror that led to the destruction of Wounded Knee 2 and the hidden graves of those they murdered.
Before an abducted, raped, and murdered young mother of two was shot in the back of the head at point blank range while praying for her children.
Before an impressionable young man like Joe Stuntz put himself in a position to be killed.
Before Roque Duenas, Nogeeshik Aquash, Johnny Moore, and an untold number of others who fell victim to AIM and it’s leadership.
Before a wannabe “spiritual leader” claiming “elk medicine” could father twenty eight children from a variety of women – before the same man could launch a career selling tradition and ceremonies.
Before the firebombing of Tim Giago’s office and the embrace of thugs like Leonard Peltier and Dave Hill.
Before Jumping Bull and the endless array of scams and outright thefts.
