Protesters dispute lineage of San Pasqual Band's longtime chair

Monday, April 14, 2014  

More than 100 people participated in a protest against the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians of California.

The tribe has been trying to remove dozens of people from the rolls. The federal courts have stopped the effort due to provisions in the tribal constitution that place enrollment matters before the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Some San Pasqual descendants are now asking BIA to lift the tribe's moratorium on new enrollments. And they claim longtime Chairman Allen Lawson is a descendant of the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians and not the San Pasqual Band.

Lawson declined to comment on the allegation, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Get the Story:
Protest erupts near Valley View Casino over tribal enrollment (San Diego 6 4/13)
Tribe's enrollment dispute sparks protest (The San Diego Union-Tribune 4/10)

9th Circuit Decision:
Alto v. BIA (December 27, 2013)

BIA puts hold on removal of dozens from San Pasqual Band (1/18)