Narragansett Tribe marks ninth anniversary of violent state raid

Friday, July 13, 2012  

The Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island will mark the ninth anniversary of the state's violent raid of the reservation at a ceremony tomorrow.

State troopers stormed the reservation, arrested tribal members and seized tribal property on July 14, 2003. The event was broadcast on national television as part of the then-governor's effort to shut down a smoke shop that was selling tax-free cigarettes.

The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals later ruled that the state was within its rights. The tribe is subject to all state laws, the court said.

Get the Story:
Narragansett tribe to mark 9th anniversary of smoke-shop raid (The Providence Journal 7/13)

Related Stories:
High court rejects state raid, land claim (11/28)
Court subjects Narragansett Tribe to all state laws (05/25)