Pataki backs down! Native victory in NYS!
Mahtowin Munro & Moonanum James (uaine19@idt.net)
Thu, 22 May 1997 21:52:14 -0400 (EDT)
New York Governor Pataki has backed down from his position of insisting on
the colection of state sales taxes on the sale of gasoline, cigarettes,
and other items at Native-owned businesses. Pataki flew to Buffalo, NY
today specifically to give his speech at the Historical Society at a
gathering that was heavily attended by Native people. Pataki apologized
for what has happened in recent weeks and said that he would respect
Native sovereignty in the future. He is also proposing to send a bill to
the NYS Legislature which would specifically exclude the collection of
state sales tax from Native-owned businesses.
Pataki's announcement falls on the heels of a police riot at Onondaga
(south of Syracuse, NY) on Sunday, where more than 100 state troopers in
full riot gear brutally attacked about 60 unarmed Native people, many of
them elders and children. Public outrage at this vicious, unprovoked
assault has been tremendous.
The Native nations stood strong, and many thousands of non-Native people
supported this important Indigenous struggle to defend sovereignty. We
are not vanishing. We are not conquered. We are as strong as ever. UAINE