Post by Okwes on Jul 24, 2007 10:20:35 GMT -5
Homes Demolished Despite Promise To Wait
Demolitions, Evictions Being Challenged In Court
SAN DIEGO -- Tribal officials had the homes of three evicted Jamul Indian Reservation residents demolished to make way for a casino, despite a promise from one official to hold off on the destruction, it was reported Tuesday.
"The executive council overrode me," Leon Acebedo, chairman of the Jamul Indian Village, told The San Diego Union-Tribune. "They're fed up and they're tired of waiting."
Acebedo promised in writing Saturday that "we will not demolish the residence of Walter Rosales and Karen Toggery until after the close of business, March 16, 2007," the newspaper reported.
The delay was meant to give Rosales and Toggery time to challenge their removals in state and federal court.
That promise was key to ending an hours-long standoff between tribal members and about 50 community residents after Rosales, Toggery and Toggery's son were evicted from the reservation.
But the promise didn't stick, and the homes were demolished Monday, the newspaper reported.
Rosales and Toggery have lifelong blood ties to the tribe but are not officially enrolled. They claim that the Bureau of Indian Affairs recognized the wrong people as tribal leaders and members. Rosales says he is the duly elected tribal chairman, and Toggery says she's the judge in the tribal court.
Such claims are the basis of lawsuits going back to the 1990s, although courts have ruled against the challengers.
The evictions, demolitions and land clearing are part of a new strategy in which the tribe is planning to go forward with construction of a casino without an agreement with the state.
Rosales' and Toggery's attorney said he is challenging the demolitions and evictions, the newspaper reported.
Demolitions, Evictions Being Challenged In Court
SAN DIEGO -- Tribal officials had the homes of three evicted Jamul Indian Reservation residents demolished to make way for a casino, despite a promise from one official to hold off on the destruction, it was reported Tuesday.
"The executive council overrode me," Leon Acebedo, chairman of the Jamul Indian Village, told The San Diego Union-Tribune. "They're fed up and they're tired of waiting."
Acebedo promised in writing Saturday that "we will not demolish the residence of Walter Rosales and Karen Toggery until after the close of business, March 16, 2007," the newspaper reported.
The delay was meant to give Rosales and Toggery time to challenge their removals in state and federal court.
That promise was key to ending an hours-long standoff between tribal members and about 50 community residents after Rosales, Toggery and Toggery's son were evicted from the reservation.
But the promise didn't stick, and the homes were demolished Monday, the newspaper reported.
Rosales and Toggery have lifelong blood ties to the tribe but are not officially enrolled. They claim that the Bureau of Indian Affairs recognized the wrong people as tribal leaders and members. Rosales says he is the duly elected tribal chairman, and Toggery says she's the judge in the tribal court.
Such claims are the basis of lawsuits going back to the 1990s, although courts have ruled against the challengers.
The evictions, demolitions and land clearing are part of a new strategy in which the tribe is planning to go forward with construction of a casino without an agreement with the state.
Rosales' and Toggery's attorney said he is challenging the demolitions and evictions, the newspaper reported.