The Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island will mark the one-year anniversary of the state's raid of its reservation today.
State troopers stormed tribal land on July 14, 2003, in order to shut down a tax-free smoke shop. Several tribal members, including chief sachem Matthew Thomas and council member Randy Noka, were arrested.
The raid was captured by television cameras and drew outrage among tribal leaders throughout the nation. Some members of Congress, including Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado) and Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), called for a federal investigation.
State charges against the tribal members are on hold pending resolution of a court case. A federal judge sanctioned the state's raid but the tribe appealed.
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Tribe Marks Anniversary Of Smoke-Shop Raid
(AP 7/12)
Narragansett Tribe to mark anniversary of raid
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
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