=====  A message from the 'makahwhaling' discussion list  =====

WASHINGTON CITIZEN'S COASTAL ALLIANCE
MEDIA ADVISORY
May 22, 1999

MAKAH POLICE CHIEF THREATENS LIFE OF LOCAL RESIDENT

Clallam County resident Chuck Owens has endured two separate threats today
as part of an anti-whaling protest against the Makah nation's ongoing whale
killing activity.

Anti-whaling protestors drove to the entrance of the Makah reservation
today, displaying signs and honking car horns. The protestors remained in
their vehicles the entire time, citing concern for their personal safety.
Along the way, protestors were spat upon, deluged with racially-motivated
threats and harassed by a large number of guests of the Makah potlatch.

As Mr. Owens demonstrated at the Makah Tribal Police roadblock on Highway
112 with the group, he was threatened by Lionel Ahdunko, Makah police chief
and convicted felon.

According to Mr. Owens, Ahdunko shouted, "I'll take care of your fat ass
when I get out." Mr. Ahdunko, a convicted felon, remains in his position as
police chief of the Makah nation with full knowledge of the U.S. government.
Upon hearing the threat, Mr. Owens removed himself and other protestors to
the relative safety of Sekiu.

Earlier today, Mr. Owens was struck by a government vehicle driven by a U.S.
Coast Guard special investigator. The incident is being investigated by
Clallam County Sheriff Department as a hit and run. Mr. Owens intends to
press both civil and criminal charges against the driver.

The Washington Citizen's Coastal Alliance expresses its outrage and contempt
at these ongoing efforts by government agents to suppress the First
Amendment rights of U.S. citizens, and calls upon all local, state and
federal authorities to investigate these incidents immediately. These
assaults on our consitutionally-guaranteed rights are intolerable.

We further ask why the assorted media is not asking this simple question of
the Makah nation and the U.S. government

Why is a convicted felon allowed to remain as the chief law
enforcement officer of the Makah Nation?

Contact: Dan Spomer, WCCA dano@rockisland.com (360) 317-6345
             Chuck Owens (360) 780-0478
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