Ishi was the last of the Yahi Indians. California Native Americans have been seeking to retrieve and reinter the remains of Ishi from the Smithsonian Institution and the cemetery in San Mateo County. The action, Lockyer, et al. At the appropriate time, Attorney General Lockyer will move the court for an order that will provide custody of Ishi's remains for appropriate disposition in accordance with Native American traditions. Top of Page Click Here to print this section only Religious Freedom East Bay Asian Local Development Corp., et al.
Plaintiffs contend, among other things, that the laws unconstitutionally establish religion.
The trial court declared the laws unconstitutional. The Attorney General will continue to defend this action and argue that these laws are intended to prevent possible free exercise of religion violations and are constitutional. Return to Top Womens Rights Attorney General Lockyer joined the Attorneys General of 30 other states in urging the United States Supreme Court to hear the case of United States v. Morrison regarding the federal Violence Against Women Act. A federal appellate court earlier held that the law is unconstitutional because Congress exceeded its authority to regulate interstate commerce. In an amicus curiae brief, the Attorneys General urged the United States Supreme Court to reverse the appellate court ruling and uphold the constitutionality of this important federal law that was passed to address the widespread incidence of violence against women.