June 10, 2020 the American Indian Movement (AIM) organized a Rally Against Racism at the Minnesota State Capitol with the expressed purpose of removing the statute commemorating Christopher Columbus from Capitol grounds. Twin Cities AIM Chair, Mike Forcia, first tried to convince the State Patrol to help them take the statue down and show the world that Minnesota was willing to work with AIM to address the cruel and inhumane treatment that Native Americans have experienced in this state. The police responded by showing up heavily armed and in riot gear. Forcia was able to negotiate with them to prevent any tear gas, shooting, or arrests as they worked to take down the offensive statue. The cops deployed to “protect” the fallen statue until it was carted away by a salvage truck.
