BY ROXANNE GOULD
SIOUX CITY, Iowa - After the FBI investigated and cleared the Sioux City police of any wrongdoing in the shooting death of her 29-year-old daughter Kimberly, Louisa Frazier called for a sunrise prayer service on October 21 at the grave site of Dakota Chief War Eagle.
Kimberly Frazier was killed on March 1 after a 911 call to police reported that she had allegedly kidnapped and assaulted another woman. Six police officers were dispatched, and within 32 seconds after arriving at the Frazier residence, a cop shot Kimberly. Louisa Frazier, who was only a few feet away from her daughter, was not allowed to go to her as she lay dying. A nurse visiting in the neighborhood volunteered medical assistance, but was not allowed to help either.
The allegations made in the 911 call were later found to be false, and, therefore, according to Louisa, Kimberly had not committed a crime. The police and FBI justified the shooting by claiming that Kimberly lunged at them with a knife. Louisa said that her daughter displayed the knife at the request of the police, and when she did so, she was shot.
In April more than 400 community members and Native American leaders, including American Indian Movement leader Vernon Bellecourt, participated in a March for Truth in downtown Sioux City. Immediately following the demonstration, the FBI agreed to investigate. According to Louisa Frazier, however, the FBI report was merely a rubber stamp on the Sioux City police report. None of the witnesses, including Frazier, were ever contacted in the FBI investigation.
After the October 21 prayer service, Frazier issued a press statement.
"We need justice for my daughter," she told the crowd of 50. "Do they think I am naive enough to think they don't cover up for one another? Am I to close my eyes to what is happening to law enforcement in this country? I won't do that.
"I, like other Native people, am offended that anyone would insult our intelligence by slapping our faces, telling us to heal ourselves and expecting us to quietly go do that. Maybe we aren't the ones who need healing. Maybe we aren't the ones who are sick. My daughter did not have to die, and I am not the only one in this town who knows that."
Frazier said that she found the FBI report "totally unacceptable." Several of the community leaders and individuals in attendance vowed their continuing support until justice is found.
Upcoming efforts to bring attention to this injustice are a march, which will take place here on March 1, 1996, on the anniversary of Kimberly's death, as well as a forum in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Frazier is also pursuing civil action.
For more information on any of the above activities contact Frank LaMere at (402) 878-2242.