Diverse coalition urges 29-judge appeals
court to #ProtectOakFlat
#TribalNations, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs among broad coalition seeking to protect historic #NativeAmerican #SacredSite
By Becket Law, #ApacheStronghold, #CensoredNews
April 26, 2024
"Meanwhile, national polling indicates 74% of Americans support protecting #OakFlat. The Ninth Circuit ruled last month that the land transfer is not subject to federal laws protecting religious freedom. But five judges dissented, writing that the court 'tragically err[ed]' by refusing to protect Oak Flat.
"Including the 8 briefs filed yesterday, there have now been a total of 23 friend-of-the-court briefs filed in support of Apache Stronghold in this case, representing the voices of hundreds of federally recognized tribes, scores of religious organizations of diverse faiths, and leading scholars of Indian law and the Constitution. A full listing of briefs is available here. Highlights from yesterday’s filings in Apache Stronghold v. United States include:
· Tribal Nations and Tribal Organizations arguing that this case will set vital precedent for tribal nations across the continent.
· The Mennonite Church USA and 20 Mennonite conferences, churches and ministries explaining how the government can manage federal lands while still providing full protection to Native American religious practices;
· Religious liberty law scholars arguing that the plain language of federal civil rights law requires protection of Oak Flat;
· A diverse array of 38 religious and indigenous groups—including the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon, the Southwestern Conference of the United Church of Christ, and the National Council of Jewish Women demonstrating broad support for Native American religious exercise from across the country;
· The Sikh Coalition, the Christian Legal Society and the Islam and Religious Freedom Action Team of the Religious Freedom Institute noting that the legal standard for judging Native religious liberty claims should be consistent with that for other land-use and prisoner claims;
· Protect the First asking the court of appeals to reconsider its narrow, inflexible approach toward Native American sacred site cases.
· The Native American Law Students Association pointing out the unique effect this case will have on Native American religious believers under the current interpretation of the law.
· The Multi-Indigenous Community Action Group, the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, and a Tribal Elder explaining that the court’s decision creates an unfair double standard for Native American religious exercise.
"'It is heartening to see a broad coalition of tribes, religious groups, and scholars stand up in defense of Oak Flat,' said Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel at Becket. 'Our nation has a history of destroying Native sacred sites without consequence, and it’s long past time for that dark tradition to end.'"
Read more:
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2024/04/diverse-coalition-urges-29-judge.html
#ResolutionCopper #SaveOakFlat #RioTinto
#CulturalGenocide #EnvironmentalRacism #CorporateColonialism #CopperMining #Mining #LandBack #WaterIsLife
#IndigenousLands #SacredSpaces #ReligiousFreedom #IndigenousRights