Trump's Mount Rushmore fireworks plan draws criticism from Native Americans

[Omaha Steve]

Source: The Guardian

Native Americans view monument as desecration of stolen land
Activists planning protests for Trump’s Independence Day visit

Donald Trump’s plans to kick off Independence Day with a showy display at Mount Rushmore are drawing sharp criticism from Native Americans who view the monument as a desecration of land violently stolen from them and used to pay homage to leaders hostile to native people.

Several groups led by Native American activists are planning protests for Trump’s 3 July visit, part of Trump’s “comeback” campaign for a nation reeling from sickness, unemployment and, recently, social unrest.

The event is slated to include fighter jets thundering over the 79-year-old stone monument in South Dakota’s Black Hills and the first fireworks display at the site since 2009.

But it comes amid a national reckoning over racism and a reconsideration of the symbolism of monuments around the globe. Many Native American activists say the Rushmore memorial is as reprehensible as the many Confederate monuments being toppled around the nation.


Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/25/trump-mount-rushmore-fourth-of-july-native-americans

[The Wizard]

1. Quite honestly

Combat related PTSD does not mix with fireworks. I'd be happy if all fireworks stopped and anyone setting off illegal ones got sent to jail. Trump has given assholes a license to abuse their neighbors without consequence. We have federally banned fireworks going off all the time. Your freedom to be a jerkoff ends when it invades my home and intrudes on my domestic tranquility as prescribed in the Constitution's preamble.

[niyad]

4. In my neighborhood, even though fireworks are illegal, there are signs all over reminding people

that some residents have PTSD, and fireworks are extremely upsetting. Most neighbors are considerate.

[deurbano]

7. My daughter has a startle reflex from cerebral palsy, and she HATES the constant firecrackers

and other explosions that can seem nonstop around Lunar New Year or the 4th. She really dreads that aspect of the holidays, but does enjoy watching fireworks, so when she attends events with fireworks, she wears headphones playing music loud enough to drown out the other sounds. (She does that at home, too, if the neighborhood explosions become a problem.) I think the worst part for her is when they are random, and she can't brace herself. She's not a fan of popping crackers at Christmas and New Year, either, but at least that's over in an instant, and drinking wine helps! (Plus I put my hands over her ears.)

[paleotn]

12. Cousin on mine.

Vietnam vet was most definitely NOT a fireworks fan. I understand completely. Even the low kathunk of commercial fireworks being launched does resemble the sound of a distant artillery battery opening up.

[niyad]

2. I can just see the toddler tyrant throwing a trumptrum, screaming "nobody can tell me I can't

do something! Me me me me meme me! Whahhhhhhhhhh!"

[IronLionZion]

3. Fireworks leave a lot of garbage everywhere

which goes against the "leave no trace, respect nature" beliefs of Native Americans

[catbyte]

5. Like I posted on another thread...

[Igel]

9. An insult to the Vandals.

At the same time, weren't the Black Hills a late territorial addition to Lakota lands? I thought it was Cheyenne territory prior to being conquered and annexed, the former inhabitants driven out.

Guess I was wrong.

[niyad]

10. Thank you for that stunning image.

[dhill926]

19. had never seen this image before...

thx for posting...REALLY puts it into perspective. The original is powerful and beautiful...

[Bayard]

20. Wow

Never saw this before. Thanks!

[LudwigPastorius]

6. "...part of Trump's "comeback" campaign"

I'd grant Trump his "comeback" TV special, as long as he keeps his date with a cold bathroom floor.

[paleotn]

13. Another horrible image...

that cannot be unseen.

[packman]

14. Oh, that's just not right

[BlueIdaho]

8. Great - should start a dandy forest fire... nt.

[2naSalit]

11. Along with the accelerant coming out of gasbag45...

Should be quite a blaze.

[Yeehah]

15. How much will Emperor Bonespur's imbecilic campaign photo op cost taxpayers?

Good thing "debt don't matter" when a republican is in office.

[riversedge]

17. I am sure it will be a pretty penny!!

[Larry Moecurley]

16. Truer Headline:

National Monument at Risk of Debasement by National Embarrassment

[ProfessorGAC]

18. I'm Not Native American

I'm criticizing it too!
If they're criticizing it, then they've got an ally!