Snyder Angry Over Railroad Incident
Seneca Nation of Indians President Barry E. Snyder, Sr., today expressed anger and disappointment over recent incident where railroad ties were purposely placed on CSX railroad tracks near the Cattaraugus Creek Railroad Bridge, resulting in damage to an Amtrak passenger train.
“This 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,” President Snyder said in a news release.
“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.”
On July 5, an Amtrak train sustained damage to its air lines when it struck railroad ties lying across the tracks approximately 200 yards east of the Cattaraugus Creek Bridge. There were no injuries to the train’s passengers or crew.
President Snyder said the Nation has been in contact with federal and state law enforcement officials following the July 5 incident and is working with authorities to identify the person or persons involved.
“We want to get to the bottom of this very serious matter and make sure there are no repeat incidents,” Snyder said, noting Nation representatives met with state investigators as recently as this morning.
The Nation encourages anyone with information about the track vandalism to contact the Seneca Nation Marshals Department at 532-3040 or the New York State Police Springville-Collins barracks at 532-6820.
“This 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,” President Snyder said in a news release.
“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.”
On July 5, an Amtrak train sustained damage to its air lines when it struck railroad ties lying across the tracks approximately 200 yards east of the Cattaraugus Creek Bridge. There were no injuries to the train’s passengers or crew.
President Snyder said the Nation has been in contact with federal and state law enforcement officials following the July 5 incident and is working with authorities to identify the person or persons involved.
“We want to get to the bottom of this very serious matter and make sure there are no repeat incidents,” Snyder said, noting Nation representatives met with state investigators as recently as this morning.
The Nation encourages anyone with information about the track vandalism to contact the Seneca Nation Marshals Department at 532-3040 or the New York State Police Springville-Collins barracks at 532-6820.
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Comments
While they've a right to protest, this business of constructing blockades that create the potential whereby innocent people could become injured or worse truly is uncalled for. Besides, what did Amtrak do to the Natives recently? Chief Cornplanter and General Washington would be so upset with everyone right about now! After all, it's their treaty that was originally "broken." Tisk-tisk-tisk to both sides of the equation.