Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

On October 18, 2002, the Oneida Nation Police went to the home of Danielle Patterson and took her into custody. They arrested her approximately at 2:30 pm without notifying her attorneys, held a private hearing and transported Danielle to Cambria Co. Prison in Ebensburg, PA over 300 miles away. Judge Richard Simmons (retired New York State of Court of Appeals) revoked bail for Danielle. The Oneida City Police were present at the territory as well and were asked to be there by the Oneida Nation. The Oneida Nation Social Services also appeared to "check" on Danielle's three children who have been in the custody of her sisters ever since. Last November, Safety Inspector Arthur Pierce threatened to take Danielle's children away from her. Danielle is a single mother.

Danielle is charged with "Contempt of Court" and faces criminal charges for assaulting a police officer last November 21, 2001 when 22 police officers forcibly entered her home under the guise of a "Beautification Program" by the Oneida Nation of New York. The video tape clearly shows the assault on Danielle, not on the officers. Danielle faces up to a year in prison. The jury will consist of Oneida members who have been inundated for years with detrimental material from the Oneida Nation leadership about Danielle and her family.

Many attempts have been made to make a peaceful resolution of the housing issue regarding inspections of homes. It is believed that the Oneida Nation of New York, Inc. only wants to use its accumulated power and wealth to force all people from their aboriginal homelands and utilize the status of the tax-free sovereign land.

Please help by contacting all local, state and federal officials to put pressure on them to stop this insanity. Also, national, state and local media attention is vital at this time. Contact radio, newspapers and televisions stations. (PA Governor Mark Schweiker 717-787-2500 and Sherriff Bob Kolar Cambria Cty 814-472-7330).

Tribal court will be at 9:30 on Monday, October 21, 2002. Presently, the court is open and we are requesting as many people as possible to be there. A potluck, prayer circle and social will be held on the territory on Saturday, October 19, 2002 and ongoing organizing will be happening on Sunday, October 20, 2002.

Pennsylvania violated the U.S. Constitution because only the U.S. Congress has the power and jurisdiction to deal with the Oneida Nation as guaranteed U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8. The U.S. Constitution, Article I Section 8 exclusively reserves Congress the right and power to deal with foreign Nations and Indians tribes. Consequently, regardless of whether Oneida Nation approached the Pennsylvania as and Indian tribe/Nation or a foreign nation, Pennsylvania cannot legally work with the Oneida Nation.