And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: From: Piercing Eyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> forwarded for informational purposes only...contents have not been verified From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 16:38:47 EDT Subject: Lac Vieux Desert Indian Tribe Wins Detroit Casino... Lac Vieux Desert Indian Tribe Wins Detroit Casino Preference Appeal WATERSMEET, Mich., April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The following was released by the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians: The United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa Indians in a lawsuit that contested a Detroit City Ordinance giving two groups special preferences for a Detroit casino license. "The Court of Appeals has taken action to protect the First Amendment and the rights of all Indian tribes," said Lac Vieux Desert Tribal Chairman Richard Williams. "The intention of our lawsuit was to guarantee a fair and open licensing process for everyone. We look forward to continuing the case in District Court." The Court of Appeals decision released today said the United States District Court in the Western District of Michigan in Grand Rapids erred in determining that the Lac Vieux Desert tribe lacked standing to bring its First Amendment and equal protection claims. The Court of Appeals ruled that the District Court erred in determining that the First Amendment is not implicated in this case. The Court of Appeals also ruled that the District Court erred in applying a rational basis review in determining the merits of the Lac Vieux Desert claim of equal protection under the law. The Court of Appeals also determined that the Lac Vieux Desert tribe was, and is, ready and has the ability to submit a proposal for a casino license and has access to the financial resources needed to be a legitimate contender for a casino license. With 432 current tribal members, the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians operates a casino on a 200 acre reservation just over one mile north of Watersmeet near the Wisconsin border in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Lac Vieux Desert tribe was once one of Michigan's largest Indian tribes with roots traced to the 1600s. SOURCE Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians CO: Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians ST: Michigan IN: CNO SU: LAW 04/12/99 16:38 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
