New York, NY – It looks like Mayor Bloomberg is standing by his cowboys and Indians statement, despite the hot water it’s gotten him into with the Seneca Indian Nation. Now, multiple tribes are planning a rally on Monday to “demand an apology and voice our position on this issue.”
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
Brian Patterson, president of the United South and Eastern Tribes, wrote to Bloomberg, “Your comment was a throwback to an earlier time when matters of rights were settled at a point of a gun,” and an Oneida leader wrote that his comments were equivalent to encouraging politicians to “wear a red armband and hold a shotgun” to confront Jewish people.
Bloomberg’s original remarks were made as a call to Governor Paterson to implement the new cigarette tax on packs sold at Indian reservations, something the Seneca Indian Nation is seeking a federal order to stop.
Taxation and Finance Department spokesman Brad Maione said the department would move forward with plans to implement the tax starting September 1st, but the Seneca nation is seeking a temporary restraining order to keep the state from collecting the $4.35 per pack sales tax.
Seneca President Barry Snyder said, “Unfortunately, the nation now finds itself in the position of needing emergency relief from the federal courts to keep the state from implementing this illegal tax scheme.” The state estimates the tax would generate about $200 million a year.
Letter send to Bloomberg below.
08-20-2010
Why does every group feel free to use the term Nazi and cheapen the Nazi genocide?
is that chicken kosher ?????????????
i must agree with the sentiments of these native americans.blumberg is an elitist and a fool.don’t expect an apology from him.oh he may put a public relations worker to eek out a lukewarm statement.he himself feels no connection to the common citizens of nyc or the Oneida nation.we are supurfluos to him.the joke is this clown believes he can have a chance at the vice presidencey or more.your peoples noted saying finds no better home “white man speaks with forked tongue” then in this mayor.