The AIM Patrol, formally known as the American Indian Movement Patrol, stands as a testament to community activism and self-determination in the face of systemic injustices. Originating in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in August 1968, the AIM Patrol emerged as a direct response to the pervasive issue of police brutality targeting the American Indian population. This grassroots initiative sought to monitor police interactions, offer mediation services, and advocate for the rights and safety of Native Americans living in the city.
To understand the context of the AIM Patrol‘s formation, it is crucial to examine the historical backdrop of the mid-20th century. The United States government, through policies of termination and relocation, significantly altered the landscape of Native American life. These policies, enacted between the 1940s and 1960s, aimed to dismantle tribal sovereignty and assimilate American Indians into mainstream American society.
The termination policy sought to dissolve the federal government’s recognition of numerous American Indian tribes, thereby eliminating their treaty rights, land base, and self-governance. Tribal lands were often sold or transferred to private ownership, and tribal members were subjected to state laws and regulations. This policy had devastating consequences for many tribes, disrupting their cultural traditions, economic stability, and political autonomy.
Concurrently, the relocation policy encouraged American Indians to leave their reservations and move to urban centers in search of employment and economic opportunities. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) offered financial assistance and vocational training to those who relocated, but many found themselves ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of urban life. They faced discrimination, poverty, and a lack of culturally relevant social services, leading to feelings of isolation and alienation.
As a result of these policies, large numbers of American Indians migrated to cities like Minneapolis, where they encountered new challenges, including racial prejudice and police misconduct. The clash between urban law enforcement and the newly arrived Native American population created a volatile environment, characterized by frequent confrontations and allegations of police brutality.
In this climate of tension and injustice, the American Indian Movement (AIM) was born in July 1968. The organization’s initial meeting, held on Plymouth Avenue in North Minneapolis, drew hundreds of participants who were eager to address the systemic issues facing their community. Initially called the Concerned Indian American Coalition (CIA), the group later adopted the name "American Indian Movement" at the suggestion of an elder named Alberta Downwind, who urged them to reclaim and redefine the term "American Indian."
AIM quickly became a prominent voice for Native American civil rights, advocating for self-determination, treaty rights, and an end to discrimination. The organization engaged in a variety of activities, including community organizing, protests, and the establishment of social programs designed to address the needs of the American Indian population.
The AIM Patrol emerged from this vibrant and activist environment. During a meeting held in Minneapolis on August 19, 1968, AIM members discussed the urgent need to address police brutality. Of the roughly seventy attendees, approximately half voted in favor of creating the patrol, recognizing its potential to protect American Indians from police misconduct.
The AIM Patrol initially focused its efforts on the Phillips neighborhood in South Minneapolis, an area with a significant concentration of American Indian residents. Patrollers, primarily volunteers, would monitor police interactions with community members, documenting any instances of abuse or misconduct. Their presence served as a deterrent to police brutality, as officers were less likely to engage in unlawful behavior when they knew they were being observed.
The AIM Patrol also offered mediation services to resolve conflicts between police and community members. Patrollers would attempt to de-escalate tense situations and facilitate communication between the parties involved. In cases where mediation was not possible, the patrol would document the incident and provide support to the victim.
The AIM Patrol operated under strict guidelines, emphasizing non-interference with legitimate police activity. Patrollers were instructed to observe "any irregularities in police arrest procedures" but were prohibited from physically interfering with officers. This approach reflected the patrol’s commitment to upholding the law while simultaneously protecting the rights of American Indians.
The AIM Patrol was not the only citizen patrol to emerge during this era. The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense in California, along with the lesser-known Soul Patrol in North Minneapolis, also formed in response to police brutality and racial discrimination. These groups shared a common goal of protecting their communities from police misconduct and advocating for social justice.
In its early years, the AIM Patrol collaborated with other AIM programs, such as the Legal Rights Center, which provided legal representation to Native American defendants. This collaborative approach strengthened the patrol’s effectiveness and ensured that community members had access to a range of support services.
The AIM Patrol relied heavily on volunteers, who wore distinctive red jackets and red shirts emblazoned with the AIM logo. This uniform made them easily identifiable and signaled their presence to both police and community members. Initially, the patrol operated only on Friday and Saturday nights, but eventually expanded its hours to include weekday evenings, reflecting the growing demand for its services.
The AIM Patrol‘s impact was immediately apparent. Within five weeks of its establishment, AIM leaders reported a dramatic reduction in the number of American Indians arrested, from an average of five to six per day to zero. A year later, AIM claimed that twenty-two consecutive weeks had passed without any arrests of American Indians, a testament to the patrol’s effectiveness in deterring police misconduct.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the AIM Patrol utilized a variety of communication tools, including walkie-talkies, two-way radios, cameras, and tape recorders. These tools enabled patrollers to communicate with each other, document police interactions, and monitor police dispatches. Local residents also relied on the patrol, calling them to assist in de-escalating potential fights and preventing intra-community violence.
In addition to its law enforcement monitoring activities, the AIM Patrol also provided security for community events, such as powwows, school dances, and basketball games. Patrollers encouraged youth to abstain from drug and alcohol use and promoted positive community engagement.
The original incarnation of the AIM Patrol disbanded around 1975, but the need for such a group persisted. In 1987, AIM reinstated the patrol in response to three high-profile murders of American Indian women in the Phillips neighborhood. This new iteration of the patrol was active throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, a period marked by increased gang violence in Minneapolis.
In 1991, the AIM Patrol moved its offices into the newly opened Elaine M. Stately Peacemakers Center at 2300 Cedar Avenue South, providing a central location for its operations. Reports of continued police brutality towards American Indians, such as the 1993 incident in which Minneapolis police officers allegedly forced two men into the trunk of a police car, underscored the patrol’s ongoing relevance and original goals.
Despite its successes, the AIM Patrol faced challenges. Leadership changes and community disagreements in the mid-1990s led to the group’s decline. A new incarnation of the patrol, led by Mike Forcia, emerged in 2010, seeking to revive the organization’s mission.
As of 2016, a group of Minneapolis community members continues to operate as the AIM Patrol, although it is not officially sanctioned by the American Indian Movement. Despite this separation, the patrol’s legacy of community activism and advocacy for Native American rights remains a powerful symbol of self-determination and resistance to injustice. The AIM Patrol‘s history serves as a reminder of the importance of community-led initiatives in addressing systemic issues and protecting the rights of marginalized populations.