Tax War Between New York State, Indians Heats Up, Blocks Traffic

A tax war between Seneca Indians and New York state grew more divisive Thursday as Indians dropped burning tires off a highway overpass and clashed with state police.

Thirteen protesters were arrested early Thursday and seven people, including four state troopers, were injured.

More than 200 extra troopers were sent to the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation about 30 miles south of Buffalo, Sgt. Gregory Lang said.

The protest focuses on sales taxes. Sales to Indians on reservations are exempt from state taxes, but the state wants businesses on the reservations to collect taxes from non-Indians on gasoline and cigarette sales. The tribes say that will cut their business and interfere with their sovereignty.

Later Thursday, about 400 Senecas from the nearby Allegany reservation marched to a four-lane highway, pushed through six troopers at an entrance ramp and used autos, tires and picnic tables to block traffic. State police closed Route 17 for about 30 miles.

Seneca Nation President Calvin John said he was setting up a committee of Indian leaders to decide how to fight New York’s tax efforts.

“For 200 years, New York state has attempted to infringe upon our sovereignty,” John said.

Oren Lyons, an Onondaga chief, said leaders of the historic Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy would meet within about a week to develop a unified approach to battling the new sales tax plan. The Senecas are one of the Six Nations.

About 200 Indians burned tires and other debris Wednesday evening to protest the tax rules.