Cherokee Freedmen protest ouster from tribe

Wednesday, March 28, 2007  

Descendants of former slaves of the Cherokee Nation marched on the Oklahoma Capitol on Tuesday to protest their removal from the tribe.

The Freedmen gained the support of Oklahoma’s Black Caucus, whose members criticized the tribe's March 3 vote. "We have always been supportive of tribal sovereignty and the Cherokee Nation, but we oppose the way they are treating the Freedmen,” the group said, The Oklahoman reported.

The Freedmen also went to a fundraiser being held for Cherokee Chief Chad Smith, who supported the removal vote. They criticized top state Democrats for hosting the event.

"Today the Democratic leadership are honoring Chief Smith and they expect us to come and they expect us to be happy about it and we're not," said Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre.

Get the Story:
State Black Caucus joins Freedman protest of vote (The Oklahoman 3/28)
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Lawmakers protest Cherokee ouster of freedmen (AP 3/28)
Freedmen descendants hold rally, march (CNHI News Service 3/27)
Freedmen Fight For Membership Far From Over (KOTV 3/27)

Sovereign Immunity Court Decision:
Vann v. Kempthorne (December 19, 2006)

Jim Cason Letter:
Cherokee Nation Constitution (August 30, 2006)

Cherokee Nation Judicial Appeals Tribunal Decision in Freedmen Case:
Allen v. Cherokee Nation (March 7, 2006)

Relevant Links:
Cherokee Nation - http://www.cherokee.org
Freedmen Of The Five Civilized Tribes - http://www.freedmen5tribes.com
Freedmen Conference - http://www.freedmenconference.com

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