Aztec Dancers Fight Back: Traditional Feathers Seized at US-Mexico Border
A group of Indigenous Aztec dancers has filed a claim against the U.S. Department of Interior after U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents confiscated over 1,500 traditional Indigenous feathers at the U.S.-Mexico border. The dancers argue that the seizure violated their constitutional right to practice religion and are seeking $1 million in compensation per person and the return of their feathers. The feathers, which were mostly from non-endangered birds, hold cultural and religious significance for the dancers. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service states that a permit is required to possess feathers, with exemptions for Native Americans. If their claim is denied, the dancers plan to file a lawsuit.