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John,
In December 1890, U.S. Army soldiers slaughtered hundreds of Lakota men, women, and children at Wounded Knee, South Dakota. Most of the victims were unarmed, and it was just one of countless incidences of violence against Native Americans.
In the years that followed, 20 of the soldiers who participated in the massacre received the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military decoration.
For more than a century, Native leaders and communities have demanded the government to revoke those medals as a first step toward healing and reconciliation. Congress issued a formal apology in 1990, but never took action to rescind the medals or make any meaningful reparations.
Just a few weeks ago, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the issue is “settled,” and that the soldiers will keep their medals. Let us be clear: this issue is not settled. Not for the descendants of the victims of Wounded Knee, not for the Lakota Nation, and not for anyone who believes in justice.
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Jeff Merkley, alongside Congresswoman Jill Tokuda, have introduced the Remove the Stain Act. This legislation would revoke the Medals of Honor from the soldiers responsible for the massacre, and it would be a long-overdue first step toward truth and accountability.
We need your help to make this happen. Will you sign on now to urge your members of Congress to co-sponsor and pass the Remove the Stain Act?
Let’s stand together for justice, healing, and reconciliation.
Thank you,
Democratic Values
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