- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
TULALIP INDIAN RESERVATION — The Tulalip Indian Reservation in the state of Washington went on lockdown on Sunday night after the reservation was hit with looting and vandalism.
Tribal officials said the looting and vandalism came under the pretense of a Black Lives Matter protest in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death by excessive police force in Minneapolis.
Approximately 40 people showed up in Tulalip, Wash. in an attempt to loot and vandalize businesses within the tribe’s Quil Ceda Village, which includes a Walmart, Cabela’s and a Home Depot. Several suspects were arrested for criminal trespass. Once police began to arrest suspected looters, others fled, according to a press release distributed Monday by the tribe.
Tulalip citizens, community members, and law enforcement mobilized to meet the potential threat and closed down the parameters of Quil Ceda Village, along with the Tulalip Resort Casino and the Quil Ceda Creek Casino.
Tribal officials said property damage, rioting, and looting will not be tolerated; those who are responsible will be apprehended and booked into jail.
“Our community came together, and as we always do, shared wisdom, unity, and teachings. We stood in defense of our lands, along with our local law enforcement. The people who came to Tulalip last night were not here to change the system. This was an attempt to loot and only target the innocent. I do not understand why anyone would want to target Tulalip, a sovereign nation that has suffered generations of historical trauma,” Tulalip Chairwoman Teri Gobin said.
“We stand with George Floyd’s family and the families of every person who has been a victim of racial inequity and violence. Our people have lived through oppression; we know this pain. My heart breaks for anyone who has lost a loved one due to racial violence. His death did not need to happen, someone should have stopped it, and they should be held accountable. We raise our voice and drums in solidarity with you,” Gobin continued.
In addition to the Tulalip Tribal Police, the Snohomish County Sherriff’s and their SWAT team, Washington State Patrol, Everett Police Department, Stanwood Police Department, and Marysville Police Department assisted in Sunday’s lockdown.
More Stories Like This
Native Bidaské with Erin Fehr on What Eclipses Mean to Various TribesCalifornia Roundtable Dissects Detriments of Public Law 280 to Tribal Public Safety, Sovereignty
Cherokee Veterans in the Nation’s Capital for 10th Cherokee Warrior Flight
Montana Supreme Court Strikes Down Voting Laws Intended to Disenfranchise Native Voters
Women’s History Month: Elizabeth Peratrovich (Tlingit)
Native Perspective. Native Voices. Native News.
We launched Native News Online because the mainstream media often overlooks news that is important is Native people. We believe that everyone in Indian Country deserves equal access to news and commentary pertaining to them, their relatives and their communities. That's why the story you’ve just finished was free — and we want to keep it that way, for all readers. We hope you'll consider making a donation to support our efforts so that we can continue publishing more stories that make a difference to Native people, whether they live on or off the reservation. Your donation will help us keep producing quality journalism and elevating Indigenous voices. Any contribution of any amount — big or small — gives us a better, stronger future and allows us to remain a force for change. Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous-centered journalism. Thank you.