Albuquerque, N.M. • The killing last spring of a homeless man who police say was shot by two Albuquerque teens “for fun” has spurred civil rights and Navajo Nation human rights advocates to push for more vigilance among community members in reporting attacks perceived as directly targeting American Indians.
The Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission held training sessions this week at the Albuquerque Indian Center and City Hall aimed at raising awareness of hate crimes against American Indians, with attorneys and federal authorities outlining the legal standards for them and how to report them.
“This is a touchy subject, for real,” shouted Joleen Kelly from the back of a large meeting space at the Albuquerque Indian Center, as she and others who seek services at the nonprofit expressed concern Wednesday over how they believe they have been harassed on the city’s streets.