RECAP: Remove the Stain Act introduced to rescind Wounded Knee Massacre medals

Tuesday, June 25, 2019  

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- "This is just the start," Manny Iron Hawk, a descendant of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre, told Indianz.Com at the nation's capital on Tuesday.

Iron Hawk, an educator from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, was part of a delegation of Wounded Knee descendants who came to the U.S. Capitol for the introduction of the Remove the Stain Act. The bipartisan bill rescinds the Medals of Honor that were awarded for the slaughter of more than 300 Lakota women, children, men and elders at a peaceful encampment in South Dakota in 1890.

“There has to be healing and that’s why we are here today,” 99-year-old Lakota World War II veteran Marcella LeBeau, also Cheyenne River Sioux, said during the event, which took place on the 143rd anniversary of Battle of the Greasy Grass, also known as Battle of the Little Bighorn, a day of triumph for the Lakota people.

The Remove the Stain Act was introduced by Rep. Denny Heck (D-Washington), who took part in the press conference. He was joined at the event by co-sponsors Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico), whose father was a veteran, and Rep. Paul Cook (R-California), who is a decorated veteran. Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas), whose mother is a veteran, is another co-sponsor.

Here's a recap of the #RemoveTheStain press conference, held in Room 1334 of the Longworth House Office Building.

Update: The #RemoveTheStain press conference has been moved to Room 1334 of the Longworth House Office Building. Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico), Rep. Denny Heck (D-Washington) and Rep. Paul Cook (R-California) are scheduled to participate. https://t.co/Qyur4QvX0c

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 25, 2019

The Remove the Stain Act, a bill to rescind the Medals of Honor awarded for acts at the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre, is being introduced on Capitol Hill on June 25, the Little Bighorn anniversary. Four Directions livestream at 11am Eastern. #RemoveTheStain https://t.co/TiY2bBbWOB

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 25, 2019

OJ Semans of Four Directions, left, and Lakota World War II veteran Marcella LeBeau, seated, are getting ready for the #RemoveTheStain press conference on Capitol Hill. The Remove the Stain Act is being introduced to rescind the Wounded Knee Massacre Medals of Honor. pic.twitter.com/fBQl8jYLuB

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 25, 2019

“We’re 129 years late,” Rep. Denny Heck (D-Washington) says in introducing the Remove the Stain Act to rescind the Medals of Honor for the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre. #RemoveTheStain @RepDennyHeck pic.twitter.com/zuhoMq5Idy

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 25, 2019

As a veteran and “humanitarian” Rep. Paul Cook (R-California) says the Medals of Honor for the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre must be rescinded. The Remove the Stain Act will do that. #RemoveTheStain @RepPaulCook pic.twitter.com/nkP1VzilbO

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 25, 2019

Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico) notes the Remove the Stain Act is being introduced on the 143rd anniversary of the victory at Little Bighorn. The Medals of Honor for the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre must be rescinded, she said. #RemoveTheStain @RepDebHaaland pic.twitter.com/b4yH256c6a

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 25, 2019

Lakota World War II veteran Marcella LeBeau, 99, is a true “hero” says OJ Semans of Four Directions. Pass the Remove the Stain Act to honor her, he said. The bipartisan bill rescinds the military medals awarded for the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre. #RemoveTheStain pic.twitter.com/d2PIm3u6ka

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 25, 2019

“There has to be healing and that’s why we are here today,” says 99 year old Lakota World War II veteran Marcella LeBeau. The Remove the Stain Act to rescind the Medals of Honor for the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre helps with that process, LeBeau says. #RemovetheStain pic.twitter.com/5azsvcSsJz

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 25, 2019

“Our ancestors are here today. We are not alone,” says Manny Iron Hawk, descendant of 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre. He is citizen of Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and is here to support the Remove the Stain Act to rescind the Medals of Honor awardee for the massacre. #RemoveTheStain pic.twitter.com/msTsoHzF77

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 25, 2019

“I will be their voice,” Phyllis Hollow Horn, a citizen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, says as a descendant of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre. Descendants support the Remove the Stain Act to rescind the Medals of Honor awarded to those who participated in massacre. #RemoveTheStain pic.twitter.com/h0WKNUuy7t

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 25, 2019

Descendants of Wounded Knee Massacre present Lakota star blankets to Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM) Rep. Denny Heck (D-WA) and Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) thanking them for introducing the Remove the Stain Act to rescind the Medals of Honor for the massacre. #RemoveTheStain pic.twitter.com/ttPU3Ggrb6

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 25, 2019

Descendants of the Wounded Knee Massacre present an eagle feather plume to Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico) thanking her for introducing the Remove the Stain Act to rescind the Medals of Honor for the 1890 massacre. #RemoveTheStain pic.twitter.com/6elRdP3VJg

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 25, 2019

Along with the eagle feather plume, the descendants of the Wounded Knee Massacre bestow Lakota name “Thakini Wichacinzin Win” to Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico). It translates to Defender of the Wounded Knee People. Translation by Manny Iron Hawk. #RemoveTheStain @RepDebHaaland pic.twitter.com/gILrfo4qSW

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 25, 2019

WATCH: Manny Iron Hawk and the Descendants of the 1890Wounded Knee Massacre bestow Lakota name “Thakini Wichacinzin Win” to Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico). The name means Defender of the Wounded Knee People. @RepDebHaaland #RemoveTheStain pic.twitter.com/UFWdKMrTVi

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 25, 2019

WATCH: Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM) thanks Wounded Knee Massacre Descendants for Lakota name “Thakini Wichacinzin Win” -- Defender of the Wounded Knee People. The name was chosen by the descendants during their trip to the nation's capital for the Remove the Stain Act. @RepDebHaaland pic.twitter.com/IGgHGQGsxQ

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 25, 2019

Four Directions, a Native advocacy group, livestreamed the #RemoveTheStain press conference from the nation's capital on Tuesday.

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