Forwarded by Deborah Falcone on 04/22/97 04:56 PM
From: SISIS @ envirolink.org on 04/22/97 04:54 PM AST
To:
cc: (bcc: Deborah Falcone)
Subject: Seneca Nation of Indians URGENT PRESS RELEASE (fwd)
Forwarded message:
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 09:18:39 -0400
From: Mohawk Nation Office - Kahnawake Branch <mnation@axess.com>
Subject: Seneca Nation of Indians URGENT PRESS RELEASE
HELP! URGENT! ALERT!
PRESS RELEASE:
SUSAN P. ABRAMS PREDIDENTIAL ASSISTANT TRIBAL COUNCILLOR
SENECA NATION OF INDIANS
ROUT 438 IRVING, NY 14081
716/532-4900 EXT.128
On Sunday April 20, 1997, a rally was held at the route 5&20 juncture,
which lead to the closing of the NYS thruway. This rally was not a
bonafide sanctioned protest by the Seneca Nation of Indians and was
organized by non-Indians and was supported by Senecas. The rally would
have reamained peaceful had it not been for direct acts of aggression on
the part of Major Perez and his goon squad. Never was there an attempt
by the Senecas or their supporters to cross the line at the Cattaraugus
Creek Bridge. State police ventured onto the bridge in an aggressive
posture which was then met by Senecas and their supporters.
Governor Pataki is violating the sovereignty of the Seneca Nation of
Indians and has imposed illegal embargoes on heating and cooking fuel.
He has overstepped his authority by preventing motor fuel to the Seneca
Nation of Indians for governmental services to our people and prevented
tribal members access to motor fuel even though the court orders have
stated the court ruling only applies to the resale of motor fuel and
cigarettes to non-Indians. This aggression was tantamount to an act of
war bringing aggression directly into Seneca Territory.
Pataki has attempted to strong arm and intimidate the Seneca Nation of
Indians to enter into an agreement with New York State. On April 21,
1997, as of 5:00 am, well over 150 New York State Troopers who have been
directed by Governor Pataki to put this Nation under siege. Blockades
have been put up preventing egress and ingress to our land. Tribal
members have been unable to get proper medical attention, dialysis
patients were stopped from going to the hospital for services at the
borders, endangering their lives, several women were assaulted without
provocation, an unknown number of tribal members were assaulted and
arrested earlier this morning, 7:00 am, several eyewitnesses revealed
one woman, Angie Steeprock was brutally beaten into unconciousness and
denied medical attention while NYS troopers slammed her into a backseat
of a trooper vehicle and was observed as not regaining consciousness,
her condition is still unknown, we believe the excessive force is in
retaliation to Major Perez's injuries yesterday, our people were unable
to get the basic necessities for survival. Up until 2:30 pm, this
Nation has been under siege by what appeared to be military occupation
by the National Guard. The media has been kept off our territories in
an attempt to keep these facts silent. President Michael Schindler
states: "We send a plea for help to all supporters of the Seneca Nation
of Indians whom have attempted to maintain law and order and resolve
this issue in a peacful manner, and he still hopes this issue can be
resolved peaceably."
Fact: Local Schools shut down due to NYS Police Interfering with traffic
1. Silver Cree School District - refused to send bus for Cattaraugus
Reservation Students.
2. Gowanda Central School District - closed school.
NYS Police are turning away traffic from the Cattaraugus Reservation at
Gowand and Irving. Medical transport vehicles needed for dialysis
patients were told not to enter the Cattaraugus Reservation.
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P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2
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