UPDATED: Tax on Tabacco Sold on Indian Reservations - Unjust, Unnecessary and Unconstitutional

Since Wednesday morning, March 1 police have been seen on the Poospatuck Reservation in Mastic. The NY State Dept of Taxation has stated they are awaiting action of the legislature before attempting to enforce a law which would require non-natives to pay a tax on tobacco and
gasoline purchased on Native land. Nevertheless both NY State and Suffolk County police are patrolling on the reservation of the Unkechaugs. A substantial number of people on the reservation owe their livlihood to the businesses which sell tax-free cigarettes.

The New York tax law amended in 2005 and scheduled to be enforced starting March 1 would impose the state cigarette tax of $1.50 per pack on cigarettes as well as taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel sold to non-natives on Indian Reservations recognized by the state.

This law is unjust, unnecessary and unconstitutional.

It is unjust because it would eliminate the income of many families of Long Island's two state-recognized Native American tribes. These workers have few alternatives in a low wage economy.

The tax law change would increase the profits of already thriving convenience store businesses while eliminating native-owned businesses.

Efforts to expand the economy on the Shinnecock Reservation have been frustrated by those lobbying to prevent Federal recognition and the benefits from Federal programs which would ensue.

Imposition of the tax is unnecessary because the savings to New York State, estimated at $40 million by the State Department of Taxation would be offset by the increased cost of welfare. In fact there may be a net cost to the state's taxpayers.

It is unconstitutional because it violates the principle of sovereignty of Native tribes guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and by New York State recognition.












Week of March 2, 2006

For the complete East End Report click here


In this week's report: [ click on any of the bold headers below ]

Tax on Tabacco Sold on Indian Reservations - Unjust, Unnecessary, Unconstitutional


Peace & Justice Calendar

Suffolk Peace Vigils

Counter Recruiting Schedule

Alternative Media for Eastern LI

See the new North Fork People of Conscience web site

Also see the Suffolk Progressive Vision web site for links to more local events.

The East End Report is compiled by Tony Ernst. Send comments, corrections and
event listings to eastendreport@yahoo.com

Peace & Justice Calendar Starting March 2

For details about the following events scroll down:

* March 4 (Saturday):"Patriarchy: Making Connections Between Men, Women & War” in Bellport 8:30 am–4 p.m.

* March 6 (Monday): Counter Recruiting Committee meets in Bellport 6:00-7:15 pm

* March 6 (Monday): Suffolk Peace Network monthly meeting in Bellport 7:15-9:30 pm

* March 7 (Tuesday): Suffolk Chapter of Veterans For Peace meets in Bellport at 7:30pm

* March 12 (Sunday): International Women's Day - Films, Speakers, Panel in Huntington 11:30am-4:30pm

* March 18 (Saturday): NAACP Emancipation Jubilee in Riverhead at 11 am

* March 18 (Saturday): LI Progressive Coalition Awards Program in Great River at 11 am

* March 18 (Saturday): Procession and Vigil to Mark 3rd Anniversary of Iraq War in Setauket at 11am

* March 19(Sunday): Voices Against The War - Films, Speakers & Honor the Fallen Exhibit in Riverhead 1-5pm

Repeating Events:

( see Suffolk Peace Vigils for a complete list of weekly and monthly vigils and

Counter Recruiting Schedule
for listing of weekly and monthly demonstrations)

* First Mondays: Counter Recruiting Committee in Bellport at 6 pm

* First Mondays: Suffolk Peace Network in Bellport at 7:15 pm

* First Thursdays: Waging Peace - Meditation and Visualization in Westhampton Beach at 7pm

* Every Thursday evening - Book Study Group in Water Mill at 6:30

* "Herstory" Writing Workshops in Spanish and English: Mondays in Farmingville 3 to 5 pm Thursdays in East Hampton at 7 pm

* Second Tuesday of Month: South Fork Chapter of LI Progressive Coalition Meets in Water Mill at 6:30 pm

Details follow:

March 4 (Saturday):"Patriarchy: Making Connections Between Men, Women & War” in Bellport 8:30 am–4 p.m.

A workshop entitled Patriarchy: Making Connections Between Men, Women & War” will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bellport.

The workshop will look at patriarchy as a system--a system that has used war, fear and subjugation of women to gain dominance, control and acquisition. The group will search for insight and cooperation to make this a better world for our children, as we did not create this system, we were born into it, but we can contribute to change. For this reason, men, as well as women, are encouraged to attend.

Pre-registration is required – No walk-ins. $15.00 suggested donation – more if possible, less if
necessary. Limit 30. Includes breakfast & lunch & happy hour. Call Eve at 631-286-5879 for more info and to register/obtain necessary materials.
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March 6 (Monday): Counter Recruiting Committee meets in Bellport 6:00-7:15 pm

There is a renewed interest to try to obtain access into our high schools. New ideas are needed for demonstrations at recruiting stations. All welcome to meeting – bring ideas!

Contact Karen at 631-875-8647 or spncr@active.ws for more info.
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March 6 (Monday): Suffolk Peace Network monthly meeting in Bellport 7:15-9:30 pm

Suffolk Peace Network meets at the UUF of Bellport on Brown's Lane. Discussion of 3rd anniversary events as well as much much more. All are encouraged to attend and bring a friend!
Send agenda items to rksrc(at)ptonline(dot)net

More info: Contact Brian at 631-968-5571
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March 7 (Tuesday): Suffolk Chapter of Veterans For Peace meets in Bellport at 7:30pm

Tuesday, 3/7, 7:30-9:30 p.m. – Veterans For Peace, Suffolk County
Chapter will be meeting at the UUF of Bellport on Brown's Lane at 7:30pm. This is a new group forming.

Contact Bill at 631-286-0090.

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March 12 (Sunday): International Women's Day - Films, Speakers, Panel in Huntington 11:30am-4:30pm

Code Pink LI and Women 4 Peace presents An International Women's Day Celebration- How
War & Violence Affect Women! How Women Can Affect the War! Films...Panel & Speakers...networking with local activist groups...continental breakfast, buffet lunch.
The event is at the Cinema Arts Centre, Park Avenue in Huntington.

Advanced reservations recommended, $20 admission/$10 students.

Contact: char(at)cinemaartscentre(dot)org
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March 18 (Saturday): NAACP Emancipation Jubilee in Riverhead at 11 am

The Eastern Long Island Branch of the NAACP will hold its Annual Jubilee Celebrating the Emancipation Proclamation on Saturday, March 18, 2006 (11:00 a.m.) at the First Baptist Church of Riverhead on Northville Turnpike.

Local high school honor roll Students will be recognized.

More Info at elinaacp@aol.com
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March 18 (Saturday): LI Progressive Coalition Awards Program in Great River at 11 am

The Long Island Progressive Coalition will honor community leaders at a luncheon at the Timber Point Country Club on Great River Road in Great River from 11 am to 2pm Saturday March 18.
Those honored include East Hamptonite Anne Kellett. Ms. Kellett, a registered nurse, is an advisor on public health for the Town of East Hampton and for Suffolk County.

Also to be honored are Suffolk Legislator Vivian Viloria-Fisher, Dan Cantor of the Working Families Party, Herman Washington and union leader Ernesto Mattace.

The LIPC is a grassroots organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development, revitalizing local communities, creating effective democracy and achieving economic, social and racial justice.

The LIPC's South Fork Chapter meets in Water Mill on the first Tuesday each month at 6:30pm at the Lutheran Church, Route 27 and Hayground Road.

For reservations contact the Long Island Progressive Coalition at 516-541-1006.

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March 18 (Saturday): Procession and Vigil to Mark 3rd Anniversary of Iraq War in Setauket at 11am

The North Country Peace Group (NCPG), with the support of other Suffolk-based peace and social justice organizations, will mark the third anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq with a procession and vigil on Saturday, March 18. All are welcome to join the march, which will start from the King Kullen shopping center on 25A in Setauket at 11:00 am and end at the site of the NCPG's weekly demonstration against the war at the corner of 25A and Bennett's Road (about .4 mile). After the procession, a vigil with guest speakers and music will take place at the corner location from 11:30 am - 12 noon.

For further information about the NCPG and/or the March 18 event, please contact (631) 473-0136 or (516) 398-9386.
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March 19(Sunday): Voices Against The War - Films, Speakers & Honor the Fallen Exhibit in Riverhead 1-5pm

On Sunday, March 19th, 2006 North Fork People of Conscience will be marking the day we enter the fourth year of the Iraq war. The event will be held from 2-5 pm. at Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, 18 Peconic Avenue in Riverhead.

The program includes the Honor the Fallen Memorial. In an ever-growing series of 120 photographic panels, each holding 18 individual lives in photographs and short biographies, the memorial remembers the more than 2,400 US soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. These panels will be displayed on the walls, floors and balconies of the Hall - as many as there is space for. The Memorial will be open for viewing at 1 pm.

Two Films will be shown: "Occupation: Dreamland" about combat in Falluja prior to the bloody attempt to retake the town. "Recruit Me", a short film by Matt Dadonna, a North Fork high school student.

Speakers include:

Michael Harmon, a recently returned Iraqi Vet and member of Iraq Vets Against the War, who was deployed as a combat medic.

Carmen Trotta, Catholic Worker activist.

John Phillips, retired NYPD officer who was arrested for protesting in Senator Hillary Clinton’s office

Funds raised through admission tickets, merchandise and refreshments will be used entirely to create more laminated panels to reflect the mounting dead.

More information at the new North Fork People of Conscience web site www(dot)nfpofc(dot)blogspot(dot)com

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March 19 (Sunday): East End Women in Black Join North Fork People of Conscience on the 4th Anniversary of the Iraq Invasion 1-5 pm in Riverhead

East End Women in Black will move their usual 3rd Sunday vigil from Sag Harbor to the Vail Levitt Music Hall in Riverhead.
We will join North Fork People of Conscience in observing the 4th anniversary of the Iraq War. We urge everyone to join us and to contribute to the fund to memorialize the US war dead. For details of the program see March 19 posting above.

Info about East End Women in black at www(dot)eewib(dot)blogspot(dot)com or 631-831-4966

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Repeating Events:

See Suffolk Peace Vigils for a complete list of weekly and monthly vigils

See Counter Recruiting Schedule for a listing of weekly and monthly demonstrations. ___________________________________________________

First Mondays: Counter Recruiting Committee in Bellport at 6:15 pm

Meeting at UU Fellowship on Browns Road in Bellport.
___________________________________________________

First Mondays: Suffolk Peace Network in Bellport at 7pm

Meeting at UU Fellowship on Browns Road in Bellport.
___________________________________________________

First Thursday each month:

Waging Peace - Meditation and Visualization in Westhampton Beach at 7pm

A community gathering designed by a psychotherapist to combat feellings of helplessness and powerlessness. This is the first of a series every first Thursday of the month at 32 Mill Road in Westhampton Beach from 7 to 8pm.

Contact Nancy Privett at 325-1402 or nlprivett@yahoo.com ___________________________________________________

Thursday evening Book Study Group in Water Mill at 6:30 pm

The group meets at the Lutheran Church at Hayground Road and Montauk Highway on Thursdays at 6:30pm

Contact Pastor Vita at 631-537-1187 or pastorvita@verizon.net ____________________________________________________

"Herstory" Writing Workshops in Spanish and English:

Mondays in Farmingville:

Herstory Writers Workshop meets every Monday afternoon at the Farmingville branch of the Workplace Project from 3 to 5. Both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking women come together to share and shape their life experiences through memoir writing. The workshop is conducted in both English and Spanish. Call 631-723-0150 for more information and directions to the center.

Thursdays in East Hampton:

Every Thursday women come together to share their writing with one another and receive feedback on how to structure and shape their lifewriting.The East Hampton workshop is open to East Hampton Town residents.

It meets every Thursday, 7-9 p.m., at the Senior Citizens Center, 128 Springs-Fireplace Road. ___________________________________________________

Second Tuesday each month: South Fork Chapter - LI Progressive Coalition Meets in Water Mill at 6:30pm

The regular monthly meeting of the South Fork chapter of the Progressive Coalition is at 6:30pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Lutheran Church on Montauk Highway & Hayground Rd. between Water Mill and Bridgehampton. Info: 516-541-1006, ext.55 or www dot lipc dot org

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Send event listings for next week's report by 5pm Tuesday to eastendreport@yahoo.com

Plain old text would be appreciated!