"The strong reaction by Inland American Indians against U.S. Rep. Mary Bono Mack’s campaign for attacking Democratic challenger Raul Ruiz for his participation in Native American protests in Massachusetts in the 1990s is not surprising.

Bono Mack has called Ruiz a radical for taking part in the protests, including a 1997 demonstration against Thanksgiving at Plymouth Rock. Ruiz was a Harvard University medical school student at the time.

A Bono Mack advertisement says, “Raul Ruiz attacked Thanksgiving and our American values.” A new Ruiz ad accuses Bono Mack of misleading allegations.

The Bono Mack campaign also released audiotape of Ruiz reading a letter in 1999 in defense of Leonard Peltier, an American Indian activist who was convicted in 1977 in the killing of two FBI agents. Ruiz had previously said he didn’t recall reading the letter."

Get the Story:
David Olson: Inland American Indian tribes blast Mary Bono Mack (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 10/23)

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ICT Interview: Raul Ruiz discusses 1997 arrest at Native protest (10/23)
Agua Caliente Band blasts Rep. Mary Bono Mack for comments (10/19)
Rep. Mary Bono Mack blasts opponent for 1997 Native protest (10/16)