the News Story

Danielle Patterson says supporters hope to stop court-ordered demolition.

September 16, 2002
By Debra J. Groom
Staff writer

As of 5:45 p.m. Sunday, the court-ordered demolition of Danielle Patterson's trailer on Oneida Indian Nation land just off Route 46 had not begun, and those who came to support Patterson were left with hope.

Patterson said about 200 people were at her trailer Saturday, lending support. She said they came from across the state, and from the western United States and Canada. "Last night we had a social dance, with Iroquois dancing and a community potluck dinner," she said. "Today, the Oneida Nation police have been surveilling us and taking pictures."

Sunday morning, about 70 people gathered in prayer at the trailer, said Joanne Shenandoah, Danielle's sister who lives in Oneida Castle. More people from across the country had called vowing to help the cause, she said, adding that the support is coming from indigenous and non-indigenous people.

Tribal Court Judge Stewart Hancock on Aug. 8 ordered the demolition of Patterson's trailer, saying it was unsafe and deteriorated beyond repair. At a court hearing in June, the nation's public safety commissioner, Art Pierce, called the trailer a "firetrap" that had no foundation, a leaking roof, broken windows and rotting floors.

In a decision filed Thursday in Oneida tribal court, Judge Richard S. Simons rejected a request by Patterson to delay the demolition. Simons said nation housing laws do not allow appeals. But Patterson and her supporters say the move to get her out of her home and off her land is driven by nation officials, in particular Ray Halbritter.

A number of Patterson supporters protested at the Oneida Indian Nation's Turning Stone Casino Resort in Verona Sunday. State police in Oneida said they heard no reports of incidents during the protest. Patterson said supporters were ready to form what they called a "human chain" in front of her trailer to prevent nation officials from demolishing it.

Please note that sources have told us that:

• There is no indication of any roof leakage. Mobile home ceilings discolor where roofs leak..there was no indication of any leaks anywhere within the mobile home.
  
• The floor is solid with two minor exceptions in the bathroom where a partial sheet of plywood would fix the problem. Two slightly spongy areas..the rest is solid as a rock. The bathroom door sticks slightly and could use adjustment planing. An inconvenience..not a safety hazard.
  
• Windows were replaced last fall and are in good condition.
  

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