Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Was Freedmen Decision Timed to Keep them From Voting in Special Election?

It's not difficult to believe that Chad Smith's hand-picked court would help their benefactor in an upcoming election, is it?   To disenfranchise just enough voters to make a difference?    Taking the vote away from members is an easy way to control power.   We saw it at Redding Rancheria, at the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians and Snoqualmie Tribal Council has also acted against the will of their people.     Here's a story from NEWSOK where the Freedmen's attorney speaks:


The attorney representing freedmen in their case against the Cherokee Nation said Tuesday that he was shocked the tribe's Supreme Court ruled against the freedmen so close to the special election to pick a new chief.

Attorney Ralph Keen Jr., of Stilwell, said the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court's ruling, which was handed down on Monday, came a day before the tribe's election officials sent out absentee ballots for the election between Chad Smith and Bill John Baker.


The tribal court's decision means about 2,800 freedmen — the ancestors of slaves who had been owned by Cherokee members — won't be able to vote in the Sept. 24 election.

The tribal court's decision means about 2,800 freedmen — the ancestors of slaves who had been owned by Cherokee members — won't be able to vote in the Sept. 24 election.
Hall said the timing “shocked me … when you put it in the context of the special tribal election.''
The freedmen who have been fighting for citizenship in the Cherokee Nation consider Smith, the incumbent principal chief, one of their adversaries.
Marilyn Vann, who lost her citizenship because of Monday's ruling, said Tuesday, “It is obvious this decision is the tool (Smith) is using to regain his position as chief and deliver the blow to eliminate my citizenship and other Cherokees who have held this status since 1866.”
Vann is the lead plaintiff in a federal-court case that is still pending.

Freedmen contend that an 1866 treaty between the tribe and the U.S. government conferred citizenship on all former slaves who had been owned by tribal members, along with their descendants.

Read more at the link above.   Maybe Congresspeople like Maxine Waters should be looking at a REAL civil rights issue.






3 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Cherokee vote was decided by a few dozen, getting rid of 2500 potential voters should ensure a Chad Smith victory.

Anonymous said...

YA think on the timing?

smokeybear said...

I TOLD YOU WAY BACK WHEN BAKER BEAT THAT S.O.B. THAT HE WOULD PULL THE OLD "BAIT AND SWITCH!" NOW THEY PULL OFF THE FREEDMAN DISENROLLMENT. HE IS STACKING THE DECK FOR THE UPCOMMING ELECTION. WHAT A SORRY STATE OF AFFAIRS.