Spiritual Gathering: Apache Stronghold to protect Oak Flat (Pasadena Court)

At one time we were all about protecting the water. We were water protectors at Standing Rock. Now we're called on to protect sacred land -- public lands in a National Forest being sold off for copper extraction -- Native American spirituality, and the holy water at Oak Flat.

Protect it from who? There's a corporation (RSC) lined up and lobbying to destroy it all for profit. Either we show up for the land and Apache Stronghold, or we turn over the ground and our ways to anyone who files in court and pays off the politicians to grease the wheels of American-style capitalism. - Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal: Demonstration, Pasadena Court (3/21)

The Apache tribe of San Carlos, Arizona, is calling on all people [in Los Angeles] to take action and join in prayer to support the Apache Stronghold in the struggle to protect the sacred land of Oak Flat, Arizona.

The mining corporation Resolution Copper (RSC) wants to mine and proposes to swallow the sacred site in a 2-mile-wide and 1,100-foot-deep crater — devastating the Apache way of life.

The court’s ruling concluded that the U.S. has no “substantial burden” to protect Apache religion, spirituality, or their sacred lands held in trust when there is copper to be mined for corporate profit and national interests.

One dissenting judge, Marsha Berson, called the decision “absurd,” “illogical,” and “disingenuous.”

“Oak Flat is like Mount Sinai to us — our most sacred site where we connect with our Creator, our faith, our families, and our land. It is a place of healing that has been sacred to us since long before Europeans arrived on this continent. My children, grandchildren, and the generations after them deserve to practice our traditions at Oak Flat.” - Dr. Wendsler Nosie, Sr. of Apache Stronghold

The Apache Stronghold plans to appeal this decision with the Supreme Court in September. But last week a remarkable and unusual opportunity arose when the Ninth Circuit announced that it will hold a vote on whether to reconsider Apache Stronghold’s appeal to save Oak Flat.

This means the Apache Stronghold may get a second chance to win protection for Oak Flat in the Ninth Circuit before the case goes to the Supreme Court. More

DIRECT ACTIONS:

• [Spiritual_Convoy_Schedule (apache-stronghold.com)](http://www.apache-stronghold.com/assets/Spiritual_Convoy_scheduleV2.pdf)
• Art Build and Sweat Lodge, Monday, March 20th (Spring Equinox 2023), 9:00 am, gather at Self-Help Graphics ([selfhelpgraphics.com](https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7104136715924136884/111462565335779539#)), 1300 East 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90033 (323) 881-6444.
• Peaceful demonstration: Spiritual Gathering at the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, Pasadena, 600 feet from courthouse on public park land. [APACHE STRONGHOLD vs. UNITED STATES PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION EN BANC HEARING MARCH 21, 2023 AT 10 A.M. (apache-stronghold.com)](http://www.apache-stronghold.com/assets/APACHE_STRONGHOLD_news_release_3-11-23.pdf)
• DETAILS, UPDATES, CELEBRATIONS, AND TO HELP:
• Lian BigHourse (602) 423-1591
• Vanessa Nosie (928) 215-1476
• Stephanie Mushrush (562) 265-8423
• Kenia Alcocer (323) 381-6230
• More: Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal