(Riverton, WY) – On the second anniversary of Anderson “Andy” Antelope, Sr.’s death around 50 attended the Justice 4 Andy Memorial Walk including members of his family, the community as well as government officials.
The walk began at Walmart and headed to the City Park Bandshell where speakers addressed attendees.
Andy was shot and killed in front of Walmart after he stabbed a Riverton Police Department Officer on September 21st, 2019.
One of the speakers Tuesday evening was Northern Arapaho Business Council (NABC) Chair Jordan Dresser who shared that what happened to Andy was unfair on many levels and that it historically comes down to people of color being seen as less than.
“We have always been viewed as less than. So, therefore, we get less than services, we get less than treatment, we get less than attention, you know, unfortunately, you know, a young woman went missing, you know. And she was all over the news, you know, but that happens to young native women every single day. And we never hear about it, we never hear about it, and we always hear that, well, most likely they’re probably drinking. Well, they’re probably with their boyfriend, or there’s always an excuse. There’s always an excuse to not look into it. And that’s the same concept with Andy, you know, and in the end, somebody’s life is gone, and a family will forever be changed, and seeking closure is something that, unfortunately, some of us never get. But I hope that we can start this path. So we can start having critical conversations, not only here in Fremont County but across Wyoming.” – NABC Chair Jordan Dresser
NABC Co-Chair Lee Spoonhunter also addressed attendees and encouraged everyone to continue pushing for answers and asking questions.
“I just want to encourage you to keep fighting the good fight of faith. This is what we’re all about. This is what America was built on peaceful demonstration wanting and answers to the injustice that happened to Andy. The questions that remain unanswered today keep pushing, keep fighting, keep asking. Go to your tribal leaders, ask questions, go to your city leaders, ask questions, go to your county leaders to ask questions, go to your state leaders, ask questions, keep pushing us. Hold us accountable because we have a moral obligation, a responsibility to all of you. That’s why you elect us. And so I just want to thank everybody for being here again today. Andy was someone’s son, and he was someone’s brother, and he was someone’s father, and he was someone’s husband. And we forget that sometimes that life is very precious, that all of our lives are very precious, regardless of the color of our skin, regardless of the background we come from, regardless of the addictions that we deal with on a day-to-day basis. We are all equal, created equal under God. And so I just thank you and, as the Chairman said today, he hit on a lot of good points – keep fighting, keep demonstrating, keep protesting and keep marching, keep questioning until you get those answers.”
– NABC Co-Chair Lee Spoonhunter
NABC Member Stephen Fasthorse also spoke along with Senator Cale Case among others. A letter from Andy’s son Anderson, Jr. was also read.
The speaker session can be watched in the video below.