Protest Planned of Auction of Indian Cattle

Western Shoshone leaders and states’ rights advocates plan to picket a government auction today in Reno of cattle seized from two longtime tribal activists in a growing dispute concerning treaty rights and livestock grazing.

It marks the third time in 15 months that the Bureau of Land Management has confiscated cattle in Nevada for trespassing on federal land without a grazing permit. Agency officials said the range is being damaged by overgrazing.

Tribal leaders said they had no immediate plans to ask a court to block the auction, although they will consider legal action.