Sent via our newsletter on 10/14/24- On this Indigenous Peoples' Day, we at BALT honor that we are on the ancestral lands of the Piscataway and Susquehannock tribes, who have nurtured this territory for generations. We recognize the resilience of Indigenous peoples, especially those who continue to call Baltimore City home. We stand in solidarity with them, honoring their cultures, histories, and ongoing struggles for recognition and justice.

Today marks the penultimate day of Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15, which commemorates the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador, through to October 15.

The intersection of Indigenous People’s Day and Hispanic Heritage Month reveals a profound truth: these identities are inseparable. Historically, Hispanic people, like Black and Native communities, experience erasure as Indigenous peoples. White supremacy seeks to homogenize Hispanic identity, overshadowing hundreds of Indigenous cultures, languages, and religions throughout Latin America. Upon arriving in the U.S, many Indigenous Latinx people are stripped of their heritage and relegated to the "Hispanic” label.

As we celebrate the rich contributions of Hispanic heritage and Indigenous culture, we confront the unyielding presence of white supremacy that weaves through colonialism and racism.

This month, BALT highlighted the legacy of Pedro Albizu Campos, esteemed attorney and president of the Nationalist Party, who relentlessly fought for Puerto Rico's independence from U.S. domination. His struggle resonates with Indigenous peoples across the Americas, reclaiming their narratives on a day once known as KKKolumbus Day.

This Indigenous People's Day, we carry the heavy weight of the ongoing genocide of Indigenous peoples in Palestine in our hearts. We remember Indigenous Andean rebel Túpac Amaru II, who before being beheaded made a final promise, “I will return and I will be millions.”

This Indigenous Peoples' Day, stand in solidarity with marginalized communities by donating to BALT's Bail Fund. Thank you for joining us in our fight against colonialism and white supremacy in our collective struggle for justice and freedom.