Keeswood v. Navajo Tribe & the Navajo Division of Public Safety

This is a case of first impression in which the plaintiffs seek damages for false arrest and imprisonment, excessive force, and malicious prosecution. Named as defendants are various employees of the Navajo Division of Public Safety and the Chief Prosecutor of the Navajo Nation, and the Navajo Tribe.

On August 25, 1976, plaintiffs and several others were gathered at the vicinity of the Navajo Tribal Council Chambers during the debate of the Council on the highly controversial Coal Gasification Resolution. Their purpose was to express, to the governing body *363of the Navajo Tribal Government,…