https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1 Made with ♥ en-us 2020-06-26 22:44:37 UTC 2025-11-12 05:35:38 UTC hello@padlet.com woconnor02_1 https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641432238 The township issued summonses against the Ramapoughs for not getting the required zoning permits and permissions before building three 15-foot tall tepees, tents, several totem poles and a cooking pavillion on the property earlier that month. The town club is taking them to court in order to have them pay fines. ]]> 2020-06-26 22:46:54 UTC https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641432238 woconnor02_1 https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641433078 In a separate criminal case, Steven D. Smith, or Owl, was found guilty in connection with acts of vandalism at the club in early 2016. Owl was found guilty of disorderly conduct for turning the lens of a surveillance camera to try and change the angle the camera was facing so acts of vandalism committed at the club would not be filmed.]]> 2020-06-26 22:48:51 UTC https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641433078 woconnor02_1 https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641433984 Superior Court Judge Roy F. McGeady ruled in November of 2017 that the Ramapoughs violated local zoning laws. Now they must pay $13,000 in fines, but they can continue to use the property for religious purposes and have tents there. ]]> 2020-06-26 22:51:11 UTC https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641433984 woconnor02_1 https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641434398 The Ramapoughs continue to hold prayer services and use their ceremonial land despite a warning from the township they will be fined for zoning and site plan violations there. The Ramapoughs have refused to sign a settlement agreement between themselves and Mahwah regarding structures and permitted activities on their property. ]]> 2020-06-26 22:52:24 UTC https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641434398 woconnor02_1 https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641435145 The Ramapoughs filed a 12-count federal lawsuit against the township in May 2018. The Ramapoughs claim that their First and 14th Amendment constitutional rights were violated. They also believe the town has illegally fined them $480,000 in summonses fines for illegally erecting structures on the land, which is at the mouth of the two rivers, Ramapo and Mahwah, where the town resides in.]]> 2020-06-26 22:54:32 UTC https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641435145 woconnor02_1 https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641436081 The club that operated near the Ramapoughs' Halifax property claimed that they were too noisy during their ceremonies. However, the Natives have been using this site called the Sweet Water Prayer Site for many generations. ]]> 2020-06-26 22:56:36 UTC https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641436081 woconnor02_1 https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641436850 They were also in direct violation of required zoning permits for the large 15-foot tall tepees that were constructed. The Ramapoughs believed this was a direct violation of the first and 14th amendment. ]]> 2020-06-26 22:58:53 UTC https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641436850 woconnor02_1 https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641437644 The Ramapoughs wants $1 million in compensatory and punitive damages. They also want the $480,000 in fines declared null and void and a declaration made that they have right to assembly and engage in prayer meetings]]> 2020-06-26 23:00:50 UTC https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641437644 woconnor02_1 https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641438158 The nation also accuses the Ramapo Hunt & Polo Club Homeowners Association of trying to intimidate the tribe to stop holding open-air prayer sessions on sacred ground. The Polo Club has reportedly shouted racist remarks at the Natives, threatened, and have had 24 hour surveillance on their site. ]]> 2020-06-26 23:02:10 UTC https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641438158 woconnor02_1 https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641439236 The Federal courts have ruled in favor of the Ramapoughs and will come to a settlement to extend the tribe's rights in Mahwah. ]]> 2020-06-26 23:05:23 UTC https://padlet.com/woconnor02_1/oazxd3m0dy6azzq1/wish/641439236