Oneidas accuse UCE head of racism
David Vickers defends "these people can't be shot" comment on radio show.

Friday, December 08, 2006

By Peter Lyman
Staff writer

The Oneida Indian Nation has accused Upstate Citizens for Equality President David Vickers of stirring racial hatred with comments he made this week on a Syracuse radio show.

Vickers and WSYR talk show host Jim Reith were discussing the U.S. Supreme Court's refusal to hear an appeal of a state court ruling that the Oneidas' Turning Stone casino is operating illegally. UCE opposes land claims and American Indian sovereignty.

"We'll have to follow the legal channels," Vickers said. "We live in a modern society. These people can't be shot, so we have to try to do what we can legally."

Reith interrupted, "Not that you would want them shot."

'Kind of lawlessness'

"No, of course not," Vickers said. "But the kind of lawlessness that's taking place is absurd, and previous generations would not have tolerated their leadership doing things like this."

A statement Thursday from the Oneidas said, "Vickers is seeding the language of racial hatred throughout Upstate New York and stirring up threats of violence. . . . (UCE's) words show they intend harm, and their actions threaten Indian people."

Vickers said Thursday evening he was "making a comparison to how we do behave in a civilized society. . . . We seek to have laws enforced. That's all."

Contending the casino is illegal, Vickers said, "We're not anti-Indian; we're pro-equality."

(c) 2006 The Post-Standard. Used with permission.