|
Seneca Nation awaits court ruling |
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Monday, 30 August 2010 |
Seneca Nation awaits court ruling
Eileen Buckley
(2010-08-30)
BUFFALO, NY (WBFO) - The state is getting ready to begin collecting sales tax on cigarettes sold by Native Americans this Wednesday.
The Seneca Nation of Indians is seeking a restraining order that would temporarily block the state from enforcing the new tax laws. On Friday, after hearing lengthy arguments from both sides U.S. District Court Judge Richard Arcara reserved decision. Seneca business owner J. C. Seneca continues to fight to protect their treaties.
"From generation to generation, this is a fight that each of us has had to take on to protect the future Seneca's that come down the road," said Seneca.
Seneca said if the state collects these taxes it will infringe on their federally protected rights as a Sovereign nation.
"I firmly believe this, and I know my father told me this, is that they are not going to be satisfied unitl the take your land, and take your language and take your culture, and eliminate you as a people. And that is what they are trying to do, that is their ultimate goal is to assimilate us into white society," said Seneca.
Last last week Governor Paterson warned and stated that "violence and death" could be part of native American protests when state begins collecting taxes. But later backed down saying he didn't want to be an alarmist.
Seneca was not pleased.
"It's unfortunate that many politicians, including the governor, use Indian people and Indian issues, and this issue of taxation on our territory. They use this to prop themselves and bang their chest for their own person political gain," said Seneca.
The Seneca Nation is calling on members to hold only peaceful demonstrations. Meanwhile, a state supreme court judge grated the Seneca's request to intervene in the pending Day Wholesale case. That case will be presented Monday.
Federal Judge Arcara indicated that he won't issue his decision until the state case ruling.
For now, J.C. Seneca says he trying remaining optimistic as he awaits the judge's ruling.
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wbfo/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1694204/WBFO.News/Seneca.Nation.awaits.court.ruling |
