Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
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Washington, D.C. - Democratic National Committee (DNC) National Chair Joe Andrew criticized the Washington State Republican party today for passing a resolution calling for the abolition of tribal governments.

"Trying to dissolve tribal sovereignty is an insult to Native Americans across the nation," said Andrew. "I call upon Gov. George W. Bush and the Republican National Committee to publicly denounce these unjust and racist actions by the Washington State Republican party."

Last week, the Washington Republican party passed a resolution which stated: "Therefore be it resolved that the executive and legislative branches of the federal government immediately take whatever steps necessary to terminate all such nonrepublican forms of government on Indian reservations, and compensate those citizens who have wrongly suffered loss due to denial of their constitutionally guaranteed rights to be governed by a republican form of government." [The Spokesman-Review, 7/3/00 http://www.spokane.net]

A representative of the Washington Republicans plans on bringing the issue before the entire party at the Republican National Convention in July. [Associated Press, 7/12/00]

"That any political body, especially one claiming to work within a 'republican form,' could write and pass such discriminatory rhetoric is unconscionable," said Andrew. "It is hard to believe that even Republicans could come up with something this inflammatory."

Andrew also lambasted the Washington Republicans for suggesting the use of U.S. Armed Forces to remove tribal government authority. As one Washington Republican exclaimed, "If Indians don't like it, send in troops." [The Spokesman-Review, 7/5/00 http://www.spokane.net/]

"The notion that the U.S. should send troops to overtake the Native Americans is incredibly offensive," said Andrew. "Maybe the Republicans need to send troops to rein in their out-of-control state parties and far-right wing leaders."

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Background Information

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Article: Resolution would end tribal sovereignty "If Indians don't like it, send in troops, GOP delegate says." Julie Titone Spoksman Review Staff writer (Published Spoksman Review Monday, July 3, 2000)

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Washington State Republican Delegates Resolution to, Terminate Tribal Councils.
"The following resolution passed at the Washington State Republican Delegates Convention held Saturdsy, June 17, 2000."

Whereas Article IV, Section 4, of the U.S. Constitution guarantees every state a republican form of government, and this guarantee to each state is a warrantee to protect the citizens of that state; and

Whereas the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs is currently aiding and abetting Indian tribes to regulate and collect taxes, injure property rights, withhold due process and grant unequal protection under the laws to some citizens, for the benefit and advantage of other citizens; and

Whereas these same Indian tribes, with the support and advice of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, organize and operate tribal governments that are not republican in form, and in fact prohibit certain citizens from voting for the representatives who enact such measures and laws and injure the citizens being denied representation;

Therefore be it resolved that the executive and legislative branches of the federal government immediately take whatever steps necessary to terminate all such non-republican forms of government on Indian reservations, and compensate those citizens who have wrongly suffered loss due to denial of their constitutionally guaranteed rights to be governed by a republican form of government.