Seneca Nation's President Condemns Railroad Incident

SENECA NATION – Seneca Nation of Indian’s President Barry Snyder, Sr., condemned the recent laying of railroad ties across railroad tracks on the Seneca Nation territory.

The railroad ties damaged an Amtrak passenger train, but thankfully no one was injured. The act was apparently a protest effort, as signs around the local community declare, “No Mail-No Rails”.

In a press release, Snyder said the act was, “an extremely irresponsible and dangerous act that could have resulted in harm to Amtrak passengers and crew members, and other railroad personnel who utilize this rail corridor.”

He went on to say, “While the Seneca Nation is at odds with the federal government over the PACT Act and the State of New York regarding planned collection of sales tax on cigarettes, we would never condone putting innocent railroad workers and passengers in danger as a result of those differences of opinion.”

Snyder said that Seneca Nation officials are working with the federal government and other law enforcement entities to find the culprit responsible for the dangerous sabotage.

“We want to get to the bottom of this very serious matter and make sure there are no repeat incidents,” Snyder said. He said that officials had been in contact with representatives and state investigators as early as this morning.

The Nation asks anyone that may have information regarding the crime to contact the New York State Police in Springville at 532-6820.