American Indian Movement leader charged with felony for toppling Columbus statue at Minnesota State Capitol

A prominent American Indian Movement (AIM) leader has been charged with felony destruction of property for his alleged role in toppling a Christopher Columbus statue outside the State Capitol this summer.

Michael A. Forcia, 56, was charged in Ramsey County District Court via summons Thursday in connection with the June 10 incident, where authorities said he led a group of protesters in pulling down the nearly 90-year-old statue with a rope - within view of State Patrol officers. At the time, Forcia told onlookers that he was willing to risk criminal charges for tearing it down.

"I'll accept it fully, whatever it is, 100%," he later told the Star Tribune. "Whatever has happened to me is of little consequence compared to the conversation the state needs to have about this."

https://www.startribune.com/aim-leader-charged-in-toppling-of-columbus-statue-at-state-capitol/572101452/