And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Wed, 2 Jun 1999 21:13:45 EDT
Subject: Alexander, Hawes & Audet LLP Announces Native Americans...
Alexander, Hawes & Audet LLP Announces Native Americans Seek Fair Share of
$200 Billion Tobacco Settlement
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 2, 1999--The Tobacco Manufacturers
allegedly violated the due process and civil rights of American Indian Tribes
when a settlement was negotiated collectively with 46 states for an amount in
excess of $200 billion which purposely excluded Tribal governments from civil
rights settlement process.
Class Action Civil Rights Suit Filed in Federal Court
A class action civil rights suit was filed today in U.S. District
Federal Court, San Francisco, by William Audet, Esq., of Alexander, Hawes &
Audet, LLP and a consortium of other firms, on behalf of Native American
Tribes from across the country. The lawsuit challenges the Master Settlement
Agreement with the following allegations:
-0- *T
-- The settlement took into account Native American populations, yet
no money will be paid to Native American Tribes.
-- Forty-six states and all U.S. Territories will benefit from the
settlement agreement, but Indian Tribes will not.
-- The settlement agreement constitutes a direct assault on Indian
Tribes' right of self-determination and governance. *T -0-
"Native Americans have been targeted as tobacco consumers and Native
American youth, adults, and women of reproductive age have the highest rates
of smoking," according to lead attorney Bill Audet. "There was simply no
legal, political or moral justification for failing to include the Tribes in
the settlement process." This opt-in class action lawsuit shall allow all
Tribes to join together to obtain equitable restitution for their governments.
A press conference is scheduled for Thursday, June 3, 1999, 10:30 a.m.
at the American Indian Public Charter School, 3637 Magee Avenue, Oakland,
Calif. Tribal representatives will attend from California, Oklahoma,
Colorado, New Mexico, Washington, and Arizona. As well, a national coalition
of Indian Tribes and Health Organizations known as the Native American
Council for Tobacco Litigation has been formed to develop coordinated
strategies for tobacco free health and wellness.
CONTACT:
Alexander, Hawes & Audet, LLP
William Audet, 408/289-1776
Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html
doctrine of international copyright law.
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Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit)
Unenh onhwa' Awayaton
http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/
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