Media coverage criticized at reservation rally
One of the many topics addressed at one of the rallies on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation on Wednesday morning was media coverage of the cigarette tax issue and other issues involving Native Americans.
Neville Spring of the Tonawanda Indian Reservation, who was one of the speakers at the rally behind Big Indian Smoke Shop, raised concerns about information included in an article I wrote that appeared in Wednesday's paper.
The last part of the article described an e-mail sent by a Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station official to all base personnel last week, a message urging individuals to be aware of the "threat" related to the tax-collection matter.
Before a crowd of about 100 people, Neville questioned why the information -- which quoted the e-mail as well as a base public affairs officer -- was included.
Neville said he thought the paper's story put a target on Indians.
"After I read the paper this morning I know how turkeys and deer feel," he said. "Open season on Indians."
Here's video of Neville's comments, as well as Richard Jemison, chairman of the Seneca Free Trade Association, who read a portion of the article from the stage. The video also includes comments from John Kane, who has a weekly radio show on WECK-AM 1230.
Here's the blog post from yesterday's rally. And here's the story that was published today on the latest court ruling and the rally.
