Indigenous Community Leaders React to Española Shooting at Planned Oñate Statue Site

10.6.23 – A 23-year-old man wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat is accused of shooting Native American activist Jacob Johns during a prayer event last week in Española, where local officials were planning to reinstall a statue of Spanish conquistador and war criminal Juan de Oñate. Ryan David Martinez is charged with first-degree attempted murder, as well as a fourth-degree felony count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. New Mexico in Focus correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks with two indigenous community leaders about the shooting and the violent history surrounding colonial monuments like the Oñate statue. 

Correspondent: Antonia Gonzales 

Guests: 
Janene Yazzie (Diné), Southwest Regional Director, NDN Collective  
Nathana Bird (Ohkay Owingeh and Kewa Pueblo), Three Sisters Collective 

For More Information: 

1 injured, 1 arrested in shooting at protest regarding Oñate statue in Rio Arriba County – KOAT  

Statement from Family of Indigenous Activist, Jacob Johns, Shot Last Week at Peaceful Prayer Circle – The Red Nation