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The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE



Contact: Carolyn Gonzales 277-5920
cgonzal@unm.edu

Oct. 15, 2007

Former Gallup Mayor Speaks to UNM-G Class About Controversial Event

Former Gallup mayor Emmett Garcia, who was abducted in 1973 by two Navajo University of New Mexico students, Larry Casuse and Robert Nakaidene, in a notorious and high profile incident, will speak to the Dale Mason’s Native American Studies class at UNM-Gallup, on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 12:30 p.m. in Calvin Hall 207.

Garcia’s abduction took place in a time of intense Native American activism.

Casuse and Nakaidene allegedly staged the abduction as a protest against Garcia’s support of the Gallup Intertribal Indian Ceremonial and a saloon in Tse Bonito owned by Garcia.

The men, members of the UNM KIVA Club, a Native American organization, took Garcia to a local sporting goods store. Garcia was freed, and then a shootout ensued between Casuse and Nakaidene and local law enforcement officers at the store. Nakaidene surrendered, but Casuse was killed.

A firestorm of controversy broke out regarding culpability in Casuse’s death

as well as the men’s motives. Garcia, who was defeated for re-election after the shooting, has recently stepped forward and announced that he wishes to tell his version of the events of that day.

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