More Summonses May Be Coming To Ramapoughs

MAHWAH, NJ — More summonses could be filed against the Ramapo Mountain Indians if they continue to have non-permitted structures at their Halifax Road property Friday.

The summonses would be in addition to the $13,000 in fines levied against the Ramapoughs stemming from violations of local zoning codes.

The Ramapoughs erected 15-foot tall tepees, tents, totem poles and a cooking pavillion on the property in December 2016. The structures were erected in protest of the proposed Pilgrim Pipeline in New Jersey and the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota.

The Ramapoughs call the property the Sweet Water Prayer Site. It has been used by the Ramapoughs for various religious and ceremonial services for generations.

Other buildings soon followed and the nation invited people to camp on the land overnight.

Geraldine Entrup, administrative officer for the township, said in a letter dated Jan. 17 to Ramapo Chief Dwain Perry that officials would recommend summonses be issued daily for each violation of non-permitted use on the site per structure if they are still on the land after 4 p.m. Friday.

Entrup said nine structures on the site violate local laws, including a yurt, sweat lodge, stone altar and prayer circle.

The structures are not permitted and the Ramapoughs did not obtain proper approval before erecting the structures, officials previously said. Superior Court Judge Roy F. McGeady agreed with that assessment in his November 2017 regarding the structures.

The structures are located within a floodplain near the Ramapo River and are not developed above the maximum flood elevation.

"We are devastated at the thought of having to repeat another arduous year of defending our religious and civil rights," Perry said in a post on the Split Rock Sweet Water Prayer Camp Facebook page. "Mahwah is violating the law by taking matters into their own hands and demanding that the Ramapough remove all religious instruments from our land."

The matter has dragged on in court for more than a year before McGready issued his ruling, which the Ramapoughs have said they will appeal.

Superior Court Judge Charles Powers denied an injunction in December filed by the Ramapo Hunt & Polo Club Association. The land is located near the club.

The club wanted Powers to prevent "any religious" activity on the site and block people from staying there overnight. The club also wanted large gatherings and "activities that cause loud noises, smoke and air and water pollution" banned.

Perry previously said the group was "pleased" with Powers' ruling and that they "look forward to full victory later this winter or spring."

Perry also said in the Facebook post that the Ramapoughs need to "stop being on the defensive."

Ramapoughs launched a civil and human rights campaign on Fundly to "vindicate" the group's rights.

"Let us work toward a just and harmonious earth for all," Perry said.

Related: Judge Denies Ramapo Polo Club's Injunction Against Ramapoughs
Related: Judge Rules Tribe Broke The Law By Erecting Tepees
Related: Judge Sides With Ramapoughs, Lifts Restraining Order Regarding Tepees At Prayer Site
Related: Mahwah Suing Ramapough Mountain Indians Over Teepees

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