{"id":32387,"date":"2023-09-29T22:57:07","date_gmt":"2023-09-30T02:57:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=32387"},"modified":"2023-10-03T10:17:08","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T14:17:08","slug":"man-in-make-america-great-again-hat-charged-with-attempted-murder-of-native-activist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2023\/09\/29\/man-in-make-america-great-again-hat-charged-with-attempted-murder-of-native-activist\/","title":{"rendered":"Man in ‘Make America Great Again’ hat charged with attempted murder of Native activist"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\r\n\"Ryan<\/a>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
Ryan Martinez, age 23, is seen in a “Make America Great Again” hat in an arrest photo released by the New Mexico State Police<\/a> on September 29, 2023.<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>\r\n
Man in ‘Make America Great Again’ hat charged with attempted murder of Native activist<\/div>\r\n
Friday, September 29, 2023<\/div>\r\n
By Acee Agoyo<\/div>\r\n
Indianz.Com<\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nRacist violence reared its ugly head again this week when a Native man was shot on Pueblo homelands during a peaceful protest against colonization in northern New Mexico.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nJacob Johns<\/a>, who is from the Hopi Tribe<\/a> and Akimel O\u2019odham from the Gila River Indian Community<\/a>, was the victim of the shocking attack around noon on Thursday. The incident took place in Espa\u00f1ola, a border town carved from the homelands of neighboring Pueblo tribes, where Native activists have been rallying against a monument to Juan de O\u00f1ate<\/a>, a colonial figure reviled for his acts of violence in the 1500s and 1600s.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nAs Pueblo women spoke against the resurrection of the O\u00f1ate monument on their ancestral territory, a bystander who was wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat tried to rush toward them, a fast-moving video clip from the scene<\/a> shows. Johns and other people can be seen trying to keep the man from reaching the speakers, which is when he lifted up his his turquoise hoodie, reached into the waistband of his pants and pulled out a gun.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nOne gunshot can be heard on the full video, which was taken by Pueblo chef Ray Naranjo<\/a> and shared widely on social media following the violent assault.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nWitnesses saw the shooter leave the scene and drive away in a white Tesla. Law enforcement soon caught up with the individual on a highway that runs through the nearby Pueblo of Pojoaque<\/a>, where tribal police officers arrested a man later identified as 23-year-old Ryan Martinez. The police chief from Espa\u00f1ola assisted<\/a>.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n“Ryan Martinez (23) of Sandia Park, was at the sight [sic<\/em>] of the statue and was attempting to disrupt the peaceful protest,” the New Mexico State Police said in a news release on Friday<\/a>. “He jumped over a short wall and engaged a group of protesters. Martinez then brandished a firearm from his waistband and discharged one round, striking a 42-year-old male. Martinez fled on foot before getting in his car and driving away from the scene.”\r\n

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NMSP is investigating a shooting that took place at the Rio Arriba Complex in Espanola. Suspect is in custody. Victim transported to an area hospital. There is no threat to the public. More information released via press release. pic.twitter.com\/I0SJH8uKcs<\/a><\/p>— NMSP (@NMStatePolice) September 28, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>