Through a back and forth effort last week, it was ruled the four liquor stores in Whiteclay will not be able to legally sell alcohol after April 30th, but the stores ended up not opening on Sunday.
SEE RELATED: Whiteclay beer stores to halt sales after all
The four stores provide about 3.5 million cans of beer a year, mainly to a dry Pine Ridge Reservation, a walking distance away from the town of Whiteclay, and a community that suffers from alcoholism and a high rate of fetal alcohol syndrome.
SEE RELATED: State denies liquor licenses in Whiteclay
Through a series of back and forth last Thursday, judge Andrew Jacobson overruled a decision by the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission to not renew the four liquor licenses for the stores. But the commission said because the Attorney General's office was appealing Jacobsen's decision, they are not renewing the license that expired on the 30th.
Activists were in Whiteclay on Sunday and said it was a historic day.
“Today we are coming up and thinking of our relatives, and everyone that has died in Whiteclay,” said Bryan Brewer, who has spent years fighting to close the stores down.
“All those here, you need to go home now, and the Lakota relatives, you need to come over and take them home, and tomorrow we can start over again,” added Steve LeMere.
But there was anger from those who drink in Whiteclay that the stores are closed.
“I’ll go back to Rapid City,” said one man who drinks in Whiteclay.
The towns that are around Whiteclay are worried the number of intoxicated drivers on the roads will increase, putting everyone in danger.
SEE RELATED: Whiteclay liquor stores close Sunday, nearby towns worried
“There are innocent children in these cars, they pack 10-12 people, no one is buckled in, it will be a huge thing on our first responders,” said Anna Jansen who live in Rushville, just 21 miles away from Whiteclay.
She feels closing the stores is unjust to the store owners, “It is very unfair, it is nothing about the law, it is all a political statement.”
The activists who came on Sunday said they will be in Whiteclay on Monday to help with anyone who is suffering from the stores being closed.
