Achelpohl Statement in Support of Checkpoint at Pine Ridge Reservation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2007
Contact: Eric Fought
(402) 434-2184
eric@nebraskademocrats.org
Achelpohl Statement in Support of Checkpoint at Pine Ridge Reservation
LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Democratic Party State Chair Steve Achelpohl issued the following statement regarding today’s planned border checkpoint at the Pine Ridge Reservation:
“A year ago today, activists from throughout the region, at the direction of Chief Oliver Red Cloud and the Lakota Treaty Council, attempted to erect a checkpoint at the Oglala Sioux Tribal boundary, just 200 feet from the unincorporated Nebraska village of Whiteclay.”
“This year, on the anniversary of that failed attempt, we join in spirit with those activists and others who will go once again to Whiteclay to try and stop the illegal flow of alcohol into the dry Pine Ridge Reservation.”
“Despite repeated requests from the Oglala Sioux Tribal government and the Treaty Council, Governor Dave Heineman and the State of Nebraska have failed to take action regarding this serious issue affecting the health and well-being of so many.”
“Continuing to dismiss the issue by saying the state is ‘looking into it,’ is a slap in the face, not only to the people of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, but to all Native people and to all Nebraskans.”
“We call on Heineman to stop the sale of alcohol in Whiteclay today.”