The following letter was sent to the Southampton Press:
January 6, 2006
To the editor:
Our elected officials who came out immediately and fiercely against the aspirations of the Shinnecock Indian Nation should now come out as fiercely to condemn the racist attack on the Shinnecock property at West Woods.The attack, with graffiti that included a representation of a lynching, was the reply of racists to the recent Federal court judgment recognizing the Shinnecock as a sovereign nation.
This is part of a campaign of intimidation reminiscent of what occurred in the American South after African-Americans started to assert their rights in court and exercise their right to vote. The symbols and words used in the graffiti show the direct, undeniable connection to that racism.Governor George Pataki, Congressman Tim Bishop, Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Hillary Clinton, Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Legislator Jay Schneiderman, Southampton Supervisor Patrick Heaney and others have united in opposition to the Shinnecock. They have used their influence and power to wage a legal and propaganda war against the tribe.
The attack occurred because the perpetrator believed he had tacit approval to carry out the will of the community.
People may have honest differences concerning a casino, but this blatant racism is far beyond that. Our elected officials and all of us should unite to declare that the Shinnecock are to be respected as a sovereign people and that racist attacks will not be tolerated here.
Bill Chaleff, Water Mill
Anthony Ernst, Southampton
Helen Fitzgerald, East Hampton
Pamela Greinke, Southampton
Rev. Jack King, Southampton
Jeanelle Myers, Sag Harbor
Michael O'Neill, Sag Harbor
Dan Steiger, Sag Harbor
Terry Sullivan, Sag Harbor
Silvia Tennenbaum, East Hampton
Rev. Rose Ann Vita, Bridgehampton
Lucius Ware, Southampton
Dr. Bob Zellner, Southampton
