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WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2003

Most members of Rhode Island's Congressional delegation called on the courts to resolve a dispute over tax-free cigarettes being sold on the Narragansett Reservation.

Only Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R) was outright opposed to the smokeshop, calling it illegal. Chafee is responsible for a rider that ensures the tribe cannot open a casino by following the procedures of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Minority groups in the state were more critical of the state, calling the raid a disgrace. Latino, Asian and other civil rights groups said Gov. Donald Carcieri shouldn't have resorted to calling in the police.

Randy Noka, first councilman for the tribe, appeared at a debate on gaming yesterday. He defended the tribe's actions and compared them to the state's treatment of their push to open a casino.

Get the Story:
Settle it in court, R.I. delegation says (The Providence Journal 7/16)
Minority groups condemn raid on smoke shop as racist (The Providence Journal 7/16)
Noka defends tribe's actions at smoke-shop melee (The Providence Journal 7/16)
Username: indianz@indianz.com, Password: indianz
Tribe's Feud With Police Goes to Courts (The New York Times 7/16)
Username: indianzcom, Password: indianzcom

Media of the Raid:
Video | Pictures

Relevant Laws:
Rhode Island Indian Claims Settlement Act (US Code)

Relevant Links:
Narragansett Tribe - http://www.narragansett-tribe.org
Rhode Island Governor - http://www.governor.state.ri.us
Rhode Island Attorney General - http://www.riag.state.ri.us

Related Stories:
R.I. raids Narragansett tribal smoke shop (7/15)
Narragansett Tribe wants to head to federal court (7/15)
Analysis: Carcieri 'paternalistic' on Indians (7/15)
Column: Tribal smokeshop raid something out of 1963 (7/15)
Narragansett chief arrested in 'violent' raid (7/14)
R.I. governor promises to help Narragansett Tribe (06/04)
R.I. tribe upset over reservation checkpoint bill (05/30)
R.I. bill sets up reservation checkpoints (5/28)
R.I. tribe delays opening of tobacco shop (5/23)