Tribal arrests at US reservation

BBC.com ^ | Friday, 29 June 2007 | staff writer

[yankeedame]

Last Updated: Friday, 29 June 2007, 14:18 GMT 15:18 UK

Tribal arrests at US reservation

Duane Martin was wrestled to the ground

Tribal police in South Dakota have arrested three Native Americans who set up a roadblock to keep alcohol out of an Indian reservation. Oglala Sioux police told the activists that they had no authority to stop and search cars at Pine Ridge reservation.

The detained organisers - including one who allegedly carried a spear - were charged with disorderly conduct.

The three said they wanted to enforce a ban on alcohol on the reservation, where alcoholism is said to be rampant.

"I'm sick of my people dying," Duane Martin, one of the arrested activists, told the Associated Press news agency.

"You've got 18, 19-year-olds trading alcohol for sex."

Four shops outside the reservation sell millions of cans of beer a year, mostly to American Indians, AP says.

Tribal officers drawn from local populations police Native American reservations in the US.

The Oglala Sioux police at Pine Ridge said the searches carried out by the three activists were illegal.

Officers themselves have no right to inspect vehicles without having probable cause to believe a crime has been committed, they say.

[knarf]

I'm no expert on these things, but

"Tribal police in South Dakota have arrested three Native Americans who set up a roadblock to keep alcohol out of an Indian reservation. Oglala Sioux police told the activists that they had no authority to stop and search cars at Pine Ridge reservation."

sure looks like, "We'll make the laws around here buddy, and if we want our people drunk and useless, you ain't gonna' interfere .... got it?"

[Wally_Kalbacken]

Hmmm, Keemosabe, firewater no good for Redskins!

[dirtboy]

I've been down this stretch of road. It goes over the border to Nebraska and the only businesses just over the border exist solely to sell alcohol to the natives. You can even see the businesses from the Rez boundaries. It would be very easy to observe what is happening and establish probable cause for searches, given the circumstances.

So the businesses selling the beer have probably made their payoffs to the corrupt leadership of the Rez, who have told the cops not to interfere. After all, that would cut into their payoffs.

[BlessedBeGod]

The three said they wanted to enforce a ban on alcohol on the reservation, where alcoholism is said to be rampant.

So, there is already a ban and no one will enforce it?

[unixfox]

So, there is already a ban and no one will enforce it?

Funny, where have we heard that before?

[abovethefray]

That does sound familiar...

[chalkfarmer]

I used to live and teach in Pine Ridge in the early 80’s. I know White Clay NE. The 2 mile stretch of highway between White Clay and Pine Ridge is one of the most deadly in the nation.