50 signatures reached
To: President Donald Trump
Saving Oak Flat - A Holy Apache Land
November 30, 2015
The President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
In December 2014 a bill was put forth to sell 2,400 acres of Apache Holy Land to an Australian/British company that intends to mine the property. This action has detrimental effects for both the Apache people and the environment.
The issue of desecrating a sacred Apache religious site hangs in the balance. The Oak flat site is the sacred ground upon which the coming of age rites are performed for girls who are entering womanhood. These coming of age rituals have been performed at Oak Flat for hundreds of years as part of the Apache culture. The idea that politicians even considered this sneak land grab is outrageous. Plainly stated, those in power within the United States government feel that a marginalized ethnic group such as the Apache tribe will accept this illegal land grab. If this was happening to any another religious group numbering in the millions, this would not have been likely to move forward. For example, if there were rich ore deposits of some kind underneath the main Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, I guarantee you that the 6.5 million Mormons in the United States would wholeheartedly protest this underhanded land grab. What if a large mineral deposit was found underneath one of the California Missions? It is doubtful that over 75 million Catholics in the United States would approve of such a sneak land grab by our government. In fact any large religious group would protest vehemently to keep their sacred land from being turned over to those who would desecrate their sacred holy sites. Our government has the obligation to uphold the Constitution of the United States, and this sneak land grab is in direct violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution, which grants the freedom to practice any religion without any impeachment from the government.
In addition, mining in general has immensely harmful environmental impacts. The negative effects include soil erosion, disruption of ecosystems and habits in the vicinity, loss of biodiversity, and contamination of soil, ground water, and surface water. The chemicals used in this process can adversely affect the health of people and animals in surrounding areas. Mining is also known for destroying productive grazing and farmlands for long periods of time, and in urbanized settings can produce excessive amounts of noise, dust, and visual pollution. In addition, logging is frequently performed as a part of the mining process, bringing its own set of issues for the surrounding areas. Although mining companies are required to return an area back to its original state once the job is complete, the effects of mining are felt during the process and for years afterward while the area recuperates.
Taking Oak Flat away from the Apache tribe is in direct violation of the American Indian Religious freedom Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the National Conservation Graves Protection and Registration Act
We most respectfully request that you support. H.R. 2811 – Save Oak Flat Act, sponsored by Representative Raul Grijalva (D-Az) which was introduced on June 17, 2015.
Sincerely,
Taj Knudsen
Edward Limon
Dana Sires
Claudia Pineda
The President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
In December 2014 a bill was put forth to sell 2,400 acres of Apache Holy Land to an Australian/British company that intends to mine the property. This action has detrimental effects for both the Apache people and the environment.
The issue of desecrating a sacred Apache religious site hangs in the balance. The Oak flat site is the sacred ground upon which the coming of age rites are performed for girls who are entering womanhood. These coming of age rituals have been performed at Oak Flat for hundreds of years as part of the Apache culture. The idea that politicians even considered this sneak land grab is outrageous. Plainly stated, those in power within the United States government feel that a marginalized ethnic group such as the Apache tribe will accept this illegal land grab. If this was happening to any another religious group numbering in the millions, this would not have been likely to move forward. For example, if there were rich ore deposits of some kind underneath the main Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, I guarantee you that the 6.5 million Mormons in the United States would wholeheartedly protest this underhanded land grab. What if a large mineral deposit was found underneath one of the California Missions? It is doubtful that over 75 million Catholics in the United States would approve of such a sneak land grab by our government. In fact any large religious group would protest vehemently to keep their sacred land from being turned over to those who would desecrate their sacred holy sites. Our government has the obligation to uphold the Constitution of the United States, and this sneak land grab is in direct violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution, which grants the freedom to practice any religion without any impeachment from the government.
In addition, mining in general has immensely harmful environmental impacts. The negative effects include soil erosion, disruption of ecosystems and habits in the vicinity, loss of biodiversity, and contamination of soil, ground water, and surface water. The chemicals used in this process can adversely affect the health of people and animals in surrounding areas. Mining is also known for destroying productive grazing and farmlands for long periods of time, and in urbanized settings can produce excessive amounts of noise, dust, and visual pollution. In addition, logging is frequently performed as a part of the mining process, bringing its own set of issues for the surrounding areas. Although mining companies are required to return an area back to its original state once the job is complete, the effects of mining are felt during the process and for years afterward while the area recuperates.
Taking Oak Flat away from the Apache tribe is in direct violation of the American Indian Religious freedom Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the National Conservation Graves Protection and Registration Act
We most respectfully request that you support. H.R. 2811 – Save Oak Flat Act, sponsored by Representative Raul Grijalva (D-Az) which was introduced on June 17, 2015.
Sincerely,
Taj Knudsen
Edward Limon
Dana Sires
Claudia Pineda
Why is this important?
In December 2014 a bill was put forth to sell 2,400 acres of Apache Holy Land to an Australian/British company that intends to mine the property. This action has detrimental effects for both the Apache people and the environment. We are asking people to sign this petition to reverse this action.