Editor’s Note: This is the second of a two-part series from the Navajo Human Rights Commission meeting held last week in Grants.

Leonard Gorman, left, executive director of the Office of the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission, and Grants Mayor Joe Murrietta review a letter the commission delivered to officials at city hall.BEACON / TESHIMA

GRANTS - Citizens of all ethnicities and public officials had the opportunity to address the public meeting called by the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission on July 23 at Grants City Hall.

Statements by Navajo Nation officials were covered in a story in the June 28 Beacon.

Recent beatings of Navajo men on the streets of Grants between June 9 and June 18 added urgency to the meeting, although the commission also wanted to hear testimony on such issues as housing, education and employment discrimination.

Commission Chairman Duane H. Yazzie led the meeting accompanied by members Irving Gleason and Clarence Chee.

Carolyn Pope, an Anglo representing the Community Outreach Center in Grants, stated that her organization does not discriminate on the basis of race and serves many Navajo clients who do not have a place to live. “We are a Christian center served by an all volunteer staff and we offer our services to you,” she said.

Regina Martinez, a Cibola County native and graduate of Grants High School, represented the New Mexico Human Rights Coalition and said that there are blatant and, not so blatant, examples of discrimination in the Grants community. “Our organization has completed a study of discrimination against Native Americans in the area of employment and found that they are not employed in numbers commensurate with their numbers in the community.”

Carlene Wilson, a Navajo witness, reported that the city Housing Authority gave her four days to move out of her house, even though she had a pregnant sister living there with her. “We don't drink, smoke or cause any problems and this eviction has really stressed out my mother,” she reported.

Yazzie suggested that she file a complaint with the commission. “We will gather information on your case, and then come back and visit with the Housing Authority and make a report to the Navajo Nation Council and the mayor and police chief of Grants,” he promised.

Beth Miller, a former Navajo chapter president, said, “These beatings never should have happened. The victim who's still in the hospital in Albuquerque is currently trying to walk again. Why is this behavior allowed to continue? I knew Gallup and Farmington were bad in the way Navajos were treated, but I had hoped Grants was different,” she stated.

Miller went on to relate that her son had been strip-searched by the Grants Police Department. “Let's all learn from this,” she said. “Elected officials and business people should come together to educate the public. We hope this doesn't get swept under the rug. Our expectations are that the judicial process will follow through on these beatings.”

Yazzie introduced Grants Police Chief Steve Sena who said, “I regret that this happened in 'my city.' Our job is to protect all people who visit or live in Grants.”

Eleven-year police veteran Detective Sgt. John Casteneda  reported that one person, Shawn Longoria, had been arrested in the case and that he was in daily contact with the District Attorney's Office.

Gleason asked District Attorney Lemuel Martinez to explain the claim of incompetence by the defendant.

Martinez replied that the defendant questions his own competence to stand trial and a competence hearing determines whether the defendant understands the nature of the charges against him and whether he can assist in his own defense.

“If the defendant is ruled competent, an information will be filed or the case will go to the grand jury. If he is ruled incompetent and is found guilty at trial, he will be sentenced to the mental hospital in Las Vegas,” he explained.

Longoria is scheduled to have a competency hearing. The date is unknown.

The attorney for the commission, Donovan Brown, asked how the New Mexico Hate Crimes law will apply to the Longoria case.

Martinez stated that it would act as a sentencing enhancement. He also related that a report on competency is expected within a week.

Tommy Mariano, one of the victims in the beatings, rose to say that he does not blame the City of Grants for the attacks. “I have lots of non-native friends,” he said. “After the beating, two Anglo guys stopped to help and one used his shirt to stop the bleeding. I just hope that this is resolved as soon as possible.”

Gerald Curtis, an Anglo who has lived in Grants for four years, took the podium to express his views. “I'm aware of the different cultures here and I've seen discrimination like substandard housing and bias in hiring,” he said. “I saw one Navajo man submit a job application, but he was denied an interview for the job. I've also witnessed illegal searches by the police and this cannot be tolerated. We need to work together as a cohesive people for all members of the community,” he added.

Shelley and Yazzie both called for cooperation between local political leaders and the Navajo Nation. The presence of a representative from the U.S. Department of Justice added solemnity to the meeting.