A recently released Reuters International news service article by Andrew Hay, headlined “New Mexico statue defenders oppose Pueblo Revolt of 2020,” makes reference to Red Nation protagonist Elena Ortiz. Ortiz, of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, amazingly declares the removal of the Juan de Oñate sculpture in Alcalde is part of “the Pueblo Revolt of 2020.”
Given her previous grim and sad espousings, Ortiz continues to throw unnecessary, hate-filled fuel into an already highly explosive issue.
This, after Ohkay Owingeh tribal governor Ron Lovato and area Hispanic State Representative Joseph Sanchez opposed Oñate’s removal. The two had noted that “their communities had lived in harmony for centuries,” and Sanchez further noted, “This group that’s pushing for this movement, they’ve created something that didn’t exist, creating tensions between some people.”
This is now more than ever, the appropriate moment for careful reasoning by all concerned, including concerned political and tribal leaders.
Leaders, should lead, and not bend to the whims of activist groups.
Elmer E. Maestas
Albuquerque