Police break up Lumbee tribal protest in Pembroke

PEMBROKE, NC (AP) — Police broke up a protest outside the Lumbee tribal office in Pembroke but no one was arrested. The Fayetteville Observer reported more than a dozen tribal members marched and carried signs Wednesday complaining of what they said were cronyism and unfair treatment by tribal leaders.

Pembroke Police 1st Sgt. Charles Maynor says the protesters failed to obtain a permit. Police instructed the protesters how to obtain a permit.

The protesters say tribal leaders are acting unfairly in their administration of the Lumbee federal housing assistance program and other services.

Tribal spokesman Alex Baker says he thinks the protest was spurred by one family upset with the amount of service they received from the tribe. Baker says tribal leaders are always ready to discuss problems with members.

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Information from: The Fayetteville Observer, http://www.fayobserver.com

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