Pine Ridge Activist In Court For Advocating An End To Alcohol-Related Injustices In Whiteclay, Nebraska
Oglala Sioux Rally to Demand an End to Illegal Alcohol Sales Harming Their People
RUSHVILLE, Neb., June 6, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to Alcohol Justice, an initial arraignment for Pine Ridge Reservation activist T.R. McKenzie will take place the morning of June 6th at the Rushville Nebraska County Courthouse. McKenzie has been active in the effort to end the illegal alcohol-related activity in the Nebraska border town of Whiteclay.
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Two weeks ago Nebraska State Troopers arrested McKenzie while he was attempting to file a complaint with the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. His complaint focused on the illegal alcohol activity occurring at one of the Whiteclay liquor stores. Court documents allege that McKenzie took part in a confrontation in May between Pine Ridge activists and a beer truck owned by Jeffrey J. Scheinost's High Plains Budweiser Distribution Company. McKenzie denies the charges.
Since the incident Mr. Scheinost's beer trucks receive a full security escort by law enforcement that is rarely seen outside international diplomatic circles. This all comes at taxpayer expense each time a beer delivery is made. Mr. Scheinost's Budweiser distribution company deliveries into Whiteclay account for the majority of the beer bootlegged into Pine Ridge. Under tribal law, it is illegal to posses and drink alcohol on the reservation. Activists charge that Budweiser beer is directly linked to the daily loss of life, high alcoholism rate, high teen suicide rate, and alcohol-related illness suffered at the Pine Ridge Reservation.
25% of Pine Ridge Reservation youth suffer from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
2/3 of Pine Ridge Reservation adults suffer from alcoholism
What: Court arraignment & rally to end illegal alcohol activity in Whiteclay, Nebraska
When: Thursday, June 6, 2013 8:30 a.m.
Where: Sheridan County Courthouse 301 E. 2nd St., Rushville, NE 69360
Who: Representatives from
- American Indian Movement Grassroots
- Oglala Lakota Nation
- Deep Green Resistance
- Community Supporters
- Nebraskans for Peace
Why: To stop the illegal alcohol activity at Whiteclay, Nebraska such as
- Retailer participation in alcohol smuggling into the Pine Ridge Reservation
Trade of alcohol for sex - Loitering at the premises of alcohol retailers with open containers
- The inability of Nebraska Liquor Commission to stop illegal retailer activity
- Recent homicides and physical violence
- Alcohol sales to minors
- Alcohol sales to intoxicated people
Media Availability: For more info or to schedule interviews, contact Jorge Castillo, Advocacy Director, Alcohol Justice 213 840-3336.
Contact: Olowan Martinez 605 899-0044
Natalie Hand 605 441-0605
Jorge Castillo 213 840-3336
SOURCE Alcohol Justice
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