Freedmen eye lawsuit in federal court over Cherokee election

Tuesday, August 30, 2011  

Freedmen descendants plan to go to federal court in order to preserve their voting rights in the upcoming Cherokee Nation election for chief.

The tribe's Supreme Court ruled that the Freedmen aren't entitled to citizenship, meaning they can't vote in the September 24 election. But advocates say they will seek an injunction in federal court in Washington, D.C.

The tribe is anticipating some sort of action in DC, attorney general Diane Hammons said. Some members of Congress have tried to strip the tribe's federal funding over the controversy.

About 2,800 Freedmen lost citizenship under the tribal court ruling.

Get the Story:
Freedmen vow to continue fighting Cherokee Nation for their rights (The Cherokee Phoenix 8/30)

Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Decision:
Cherokee Nation Registrar v. Nash (August 22, 2011)

Related Stories:
Freedmen seek appeal for loss of Cherokee Nation citizenship (8/29)
Jay Tavare: Divide and conquer -- disenrollment among tribes (8/25)
Turtle Talk: Tribal courts, treaty rights and treaty rights disputes (8/25)
Cherokee Freedmen lose right to vote in upcoming chief election (8/24)
Decision allows Cherokee Nation to remove Freedmen from rolls (8/23)