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Oneida Update: For September 3-17, 2002

Christian Peacemaker Teams News
NAIIP News Path ~ Sunday, October 7, 2002

Copyright © 2002 CPTnet
All Rights Reserved


ONEIDA TERRITORY, NEW YORK - Tuesday, September 3
The team met with members of the Upstate Citizens for Equality (UCE.) The UCE holds weekly protests outside the SavOn gas station in Oneida, which is owned by Ray Halbritter, self-designated CEO of the Oneida Indian Nation of New York, Inc. Their message focuses on land claims filed by the Oneida Indian Nation of New York, Inc. and their concerns about taxation.

Wednesday, September 4
CPTers John Finlay, Stephani Sakanee and Anne Herman spent some time in the Oneida public library doing research concerning the events on the Territory and other Nation issues.

Thursday, September 5
Rusty Dinkins-Curling attended the local ministerial meeting. Stephani Sakanee, Anne Herman and Finlay met with the mayor of Oneida. They learned more about how the buying up of land by the Oneida Indian Nation of New York, Inc. affects the local economy.

Sunday, September 8
The team attended an interfaith Prayer Vigil for Peace at Onondaga Lake in the afternoon.

Monday, September 9
The team met with Mike Bilodeau, a reporter with the Oneida Dispatch, who has written consistently on Oneida Nation issues. The team then attended a UCE meeting where members spent much of the time focusing on issues of taxation in relation to the Oneida Nation. They also discussed their own tax-exempt status in light of the candidates they are supporting in the upcoming election.

Tuesday, September 10
The team visited with Oneida Police Chief Meeker. He explained that Oneida Nation police cannot arrest outsiders, but they can detain them until the city police arrive to make the arrest.

Wednesday, September 11
The team visited the Turning Stone Casino, owned and operated by the Oneida Indian Nation.

The number of supporters staying at Patterson's house (which has a demolition order issued by the Oneida Tribal government) increased.

Thursday, September 12
Herman conducted a non-violence training for nearly twenty people at Patterson's house. After a lengthy discussion, everyone read aloud and signed a non-violence pledge.

Saturday, September 14
More supporters arrived on the Territory, mostly from the northeastern United States and Montreal. Herman led two non-violence training sessions. All new arrivals signed the non-violence pledge. In the evening, the team attended a social and potluck for over 100 people. After supper, there was traditional Oneida singing and dancing around the fire.

Sunday, September 15
When it became apparent that there would be no arrest or demolition of Patterson's home because of all the people on the property, about twenty of the visiting supporters planned a public protest. Patterson accompanied them to a public roadway in front of one of Halbritter's gas stations near the Turning Stone Casino. The protesters walked with their signs until the tribal police threatened to call the NY State Police. They then returned to the Territory, satisfied that that they had made their presence known.

Monday, September 16
After the regular morning prayer circle, Vicki Schenandoah expressed her gratitude for all of the people who have come to support her sister. "We have seen miracles happen for three days in a row," she said, referring to the numbers of people and the fact that there has been no arrest or demolition.

A friend of the Schenandoah family received word that there was impending action on the part of the Oneida Nation police. Patterson sat on the roof of her home for most of the day surrounded by a group of supporters, ready to chain themselves together should the police attempt to arrest her.

Tuesday, September 17
The number of supporters dropped to the CPTers and a few others who have maintained a longer-term presence.


More information about the current situation at the
Oneida Reserve is available on the following paths:

* OneidasforDemocracy.ORG
Site established by Danielle Shenandoah
* OneidasforDemocracy.COM
Site established by Ray Halbritter,
CEO of Oneida Indian Nation

Related path:

* Oneida Indian Nation of New York
"Part of the Six Nations of the Iroquois."


Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative among
Mennonite and Church of the Brethren congregations
and Friends Meetings that supports violence reduction
efforts around the world. Contact CPT, P.O. Box 6508
Chicago, IL 60680, TEL. 312-455-1199 FAX 312-432-1213
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fill out the form found on our web page.


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