Remembering 1974 Paths to Healing

In this public, community-led event, reflect on our painful history of racial conflict, honor those we’ve lost, and continue on the path of healing. Organized by local ministers and community members, this event has a two-fold purpose, as Chili Yazzie shared: “We want to affirm the sacredness of every human life regardless of color, ethnicity, culture, of origin, and to acknowledge the history of racism in our border town community that resulted in the torture and killings of these three Diné men.” The 1974 Chokecherry Murders represent a painful chapter of injustice and violence. Three Navajo men were brutally beaten and killed – John Earl Harvey, Herman Dodge Benally, and David Ignacio.

The murders were racially motivated, stemming from deep-seated racism by certain residents of the Farmington community. This episode remains a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles for human rights by the Indigenous Peoples of these lands.

Join them for three components of commemoration and healing:

10:00 – 11:00am Commemorative Walk of Reflection. Meet at the Intersection of West Main & Broadway Streets in Farmington, walk East on Broadway, turn North on Miller, head West on Main, and arrive at the Totah Theatre.
11:00am. – 12:30pm Reflecting & Sharing. Presentations at the Totah Theater, 315 West Main Street. Lunch will be provided following the presentation
1:30 – 3:00pm It Takes All to Heal All: Tents will be set up along Main Street in front of the Totah
Theater offering healing resources. Please email them for more information.