Nationwide Forest Service Protests for San Francisco Peaks Protection

San Francisco Peaks clearcutting 2011/Protect the Peaks

Nation-wide Protests Planned at Forest Service Headquarters to Halt Sacred Site Desecration on the San Francisco Peaks

We hope you can help organize a demo at the Regional Forest Service office in your area. Please let us know. We may have other supporters in your area and can connect you.

Greetings friends,

This is a call to see if anyone can organize protests at any of the 10 regional Forest Service Headquarters, including the main office in DC!

Even a few people holding banners outside FS offices would greatly help us put necessary national pressure on the Forest Service regarding the Holy San Francisco Peaks crisis, i.e. current clear-cutting and pipe-line construction in conjunction with Snowbowl ski resort’s expansion and plans to make snow with treated wastewater.

It is also important to note that some of the regional foresters have good working relationships with Indigenous Nations and so please consider this when organizing.Folks in the Flagstaff area have been very busy as Im sure you’ve heard. ( If you haven’t heard, check out truesnow.org and www.IndigenousAction.org) Not only have 26 arrests been made so far in response to out efforts to stop desecration and eco-cide of the Peaks, but harassment and bogus citations are given to Peaks campers by USFS agents on a daily basis.The goals of the protests are to:

1. To call for an immediate halt to desecration of the Holy San Francisco Peaks.

2. Call for the USDA to revoke the Special Use Permit for Arizona Snowbowl for greater public interest.

3. Draw attention and elicit comments for the U.S. Forest Service draft report outlining its policies and procedures for protecting Sacred Sites.

4. Demonstrate nationwide support for protection of the Peaks and all Sacred Places!

We can provide a template news release for media contacts in your area.

We can also provide banner templates and tips (or send banners depending on the need).

Below is a sample call out from the already planned Albuquerque, NM protest. Please email me at indigenousaction@gmail.com or protectpeaks@gmail.com if you can help organize a demonstration.

Please forward to your contacts who maybe able to help as well.For some background please visit: www.IndigenousAction.org and www.TrueSnow.org.

Here are the regions:

Southwestern Region – Albuquerque, NM (CONFIRMED!)
Northern Region – Missoula, Montana (FOLKS ORGANIZING NOW!)
Rocky Mountain Region – Golden, CO
Pacific Northwest Region – Portland, Oregon (FOLKS ORGANIZING NOW!)
Intermountain Region – Ogden, UT
Alaska Regional Office – Juneau, AK
Pacific Southwest Region – Vallejo, CA (FOLKS ORGANIZING NOW!)
Southern Region – Atlanta, GA
Eastern Region – Milwaukee, WI
US Forest Service HQ – Washington, D.C.

Direct Action to Protect Holy Peaks Continues

Klee Benally chained to escavator/by Ethan Sing

By Klee Benally – www.IndigenousAction.org

On Saturday, August 13th 2011, after a prayerful gathering on the Holy San Francisco Peaks, my friends Mary Sojourner, Rudy Preston and I were arrested by “law-enforcement” agents for standing against desecration and eco-cide caused by Arizona Snowbowl ski area.

Since June 16th, 26 arrests have been made during protests when Snowbowl started furthering desecration and eco-cide on the Holy Peaks.

As a Snowbowl hired excavator operator tore into sacred earth, plants and boulders to extend the wastewater pipeline trench further up the Holy Mountain, 40 people gathered in prayer in a meadow directly across from the excavation. At times, bulldozers and the excavator were no more than 200 feet from the gathering, so the machinery made it nearly impossible for elders to speak. The noise completely disrupted statements and prayers made by those in attendance.

Although I am not sure how it started, shortly after the prayer gathering a group of 30 people started pushing rocks and dug-up dirt into the pipeline trench. As I watched from a distance, every rock being placed back in the trench–to heal the scarring of desecration–appeared more powerful than any petition I’ve ever read.

Two Forest Service agents, who had apparently been monitoring the prayer gathering, emerged from the woods as the spontaneous action unfolded.

At that point I approached the excavator operator and stated, “Stop. You have interrupted and interfered with our prayers. You must stop.” I then chained and handcuffed myself to stop the excavator.

I was joined by more than 30 people who began chanting and singing. We sang in a way that was a continuation of our prayers. I was chained to the machine for approximately 2 hours.

Forest Service and Coconino County Sheriffs ultimately cut me out after Louise Benally, from Big Mountain, agreed that it was OK for me to do so. I was charged by a sheriff for “trespassing” and “disorderly conduct.”

How can I be “trespassing” on this site that is so sacred to me? This is my church. It is the Forest Service and Snowbowl who are violating human rights and religious freedom by desecrating this holy Mountain. Although an appeal is in the court system Snowbowl is attempting to undermine judicial process. Additionally, Snowbowl and the Forest Service are violating the 2004 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that was signed with Indigenous Nations. This MOA stipulates consultation must occur prior to any construction, this has not meaningfully occurred, if at has occurred at all. Not to mention, the Forest Service and Snowbowl are in violation of the Environmental Impact Statement, as they have followed none of the mitigation measures either. Their actions are far beyond “disorderly.”

After my arrest and release, Mary Sojourner who is a local author and activist, confronted Forest Service and Coconino County Sherrifs. She walked up to the excavator in an effort to stop pipeline construction and was immediately cuffed and put into a police van.

Mary stated, “I took action not just for the Mountain, but for my friend, Klee Benally, who I saw chained to a monstrous extractor, the pipeline trenching machine that had been ripping into the mountain and the peaceful morning air as thirty of us prayed for the Mountain; and so that older women and men would see that one doesn’t have to be young to stand up for a place and community that you love.”

Rudy Preston, local Peaks advocate, was also arrested and charged with two counts of “disorderly conduct” and “trespassing”.

Rudy offered this statement, “I feel like the world changed forever yesterday. Our actions on Nuvatukya Ovi (San Francisco Peaks in Hopi) have led to me seeing the true horrors perpetuated on the Indigenous cultures of our community every single day. Even without sewer water on the mountain, the desecration is a systematic perpetuation of genocide on local peoples for centuries and it is just as strong now as when peoples were forced onto the Longest Walk. My eyes will never again close to this injustice. And my body will not perpetuate it.
”

All that has happened in the last month was made possible by like-minded individuals taking action of all kinds. I hope that others move out of their comfort zone a bit and create actions that reflect their part in this. Not everyone can march in the streets, not everyone can lock down, not everyone has a car. But we all love the mountain and you don’t need to wait for a ‘known organizer’ to tell you what to do next.”

As I, Klee, was chained to the excavator I said, “This is not a game. This is not for show. This is not for media. This is to stop this desecration from happening.”

While construction was only stopped for just about 2 hours, it was stopped nonetheless. This is power.
This is a power that we all share. If one person, three, six, or nine, can stand in the way of machinery and say “enough,” imagine what would happen if it was every one of us who cared?

What is at stake is our prayers, our ways of life, our cultural survival. This is why this has to stop. This is why we say, ‘No desecration for recreation, protect the peaks!’

For more info, action and to donate for jail support: www.indigenousaction.org or www.truesnow.org.

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Blockade Halts Ski Resort’s Desecration of Peaks!

From TrueSnow.org

Flagstaff, AZ — August 8th, 2011. Nine people took direct action at 5:00 AM on Monday morning; blockading the ongoing destruction and desecration of the Holy San Francisco Peaks. The nine individuals directly confronted the eco-cidal actions of Arizona Snowbowl, halting their daily clear-cutting and pipeline excavation plans for eight hours. The group’s police liaison, who was attempting to ensure the safety of the demonstrators, was immediately arrested. More than 50 law enforcement officials, using industrial saws and a jack hammer to forcefully break apart the blockade.

“The action we took today is one part of a series of events with the intent to stop Snowbowl, the US Forest Service, and other corporations from further desecrating the Holy San Francisco Peaks,” stated Haley Coles after being released from jail. “The pipeline will not be tolerated. Spewed waste water turned into artificial snow will not be tolerated. Clear cuts, slash piles, and burning of hundred-year old trees will not be tolerated. The Holy mountain will be defended, and the desecration will be stopped; at whatever cost. We have the mountain on our side,” said Coles.

James Kennedy, also arrested during Monday’s blockade, stated, “Today, a small group of people decided that they had enough of wealthy investors, cultural genocide, and privileged white people who are indifferent to the destructive impacts of their recreational activities. We decided to take matters into our own hands and you can too. Whatever you feel is sacred, defend it with all your heart and take a risk, because our future generations will not forgive inaction.”

Jenna Tomasello, who was also part of the action, stated that “Almost all of our options have been exhausted. The US Supreme Court failed to protect religious freedoms of Native peoples. The Flagstaff City Council has failed to meaningfully listen to its constituents who have consistently vocalized their opposition to Arizona Snowbowl development for decades. And the US Forest Service has failed to protect the public from the environmental impacts of treated sewage effluent. It is time for more people, wherever you are, to open your eyes. Respect the land of which we are dependent on and the people that the land has been stolen from. The only choice for us is to take action against those who threaten Indigenous cultures, the environment and our future. It’s frustrating that we had to do this in order to make this point clear.” stated Tomasello.

“For those of us who have chosen to fight the colonial strongholds, we have also chosen to fight for the minds that hold this power. If harmony is to prevail, all beliefs attempting to control nature must be liberated. We belong to the Earth; the Earth does not belong to us.” stated Tom Lang, who was part of the protest.

All 10 arrested were released within hours due to strong outpouring of community support.

17 people have been arrested during the week of action to “Protect the Peaks.” 23 arrests have been made since June when 6 people locked themselves inside the pipeline trench and to Snowbowl equipment.

“This was an autonomous action planned by those who took part. It was beautiful and powerful and very responsible. They took every measure to ensure their safety. Nobody was unwillingly put in the way. A crowd was not gathered.” stated Rudy Preston, police liaison for the protesters who was also arrested. “The Civil Disobedience roadblock on Snowbowl Road was not a family event or publicized with the rest of the legal actions planned for the ‘Week of Action.'”

“Today will be a day for families, elders, youth, and all people of conscience to come out and once again speak up!” stated Preston.

Since May 25, 2011, the owners of Arizona Snowbowl, with the support of the U.S. Forest Service and the Flagstaff City Council, have laid over five miles of a 14.8 mile wastewater pipeline and have clear-cut over 40 acres of rare alpine forest. A current lawsuit against the Forest Service, focusing on human health impacts of wastewater snowmaking, is still under appeal in the 9th Circuit Court. The individuals at today’s action are separate from the Coalition involved in the lawsuit.

The San Francisco Peaks are Holy to more than 13 Indigenous Nations.

They are a place of worship, a place where deities reside, a place where offerings are made, where herbs are gathered, where emergence has occurred, and more.

Monday’s blockade to protect the Peaks joins four decades of sustained resistance to desecration of the Holy Peaks. Over the past three weeks since Snowbowl began clear-cutting, dozens of protest camps have been established on the mountain and solidarity actions have occurred in Phoenix and Los Angeles.

Demonstrators invite everyone to join them on Tuesday, August 9, at 12:30PM to protest High Desert Investment, the private company in-charge of the current clear-cutting, located at 504 E Butler Ave. Afterward, there will be a gathering at the Flagstaff City Hall at 4:00PM to continue vocalizing opposition to Snowbowl’s destruction and desecration.

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Note to editors: Video & High Resolution Photos Available Upon Request.

Flagstaff Police Attack and Arrest Protect the Peaks Marchers

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News (Updated Sunday night)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Six people protecting San Francisco Peaks were targeted and arrested during a peaceful march for the protection of San Francisco Peaks. San Francisco Peaks defender Klee Benally, Navajo, was among those arrested.

In front of Macy’s Coffeehouse on Sunday afternoon, undercover police infiltrated the hundred person march in an attempt to squash the growing anti-Snowbowl movement.

The peaceful march by Native Americans and supporters was surrounded by police from the moment the march formed, marchers said.

An eye witness said, “They were just waiting to pounce. And they did!”

The six arrested were released on bail late Sunday. Klee Benally said in a message on Twitter: “Just released from jail. Protect the peaks. The struggle continues.”

Supporters protecting San Francisco Peaks said they will continue with a planned protest outside the US Forest Service on Monday at 12:30 p.m.

Native Americans are struggling to defend sacred San Francisco Peaks from snow to be made from sewage water at the Snowbowl tourist resort on the Peaks. The mountains are sacred to 13 Native American Nations. Medicine men gather plants on the Peaks and hold traditional healing ceremonies on the Peaks.

Already, the sewage water pipeline has resulted in clearcutting of grandmother trees.

Native Americans are urging tourists to boycott the Snowbowl Ski Resort, and join the support for American Indians upholding their traditions and sacred lifeways.

Further, supporters of the Protect the Peaks movement are urging an investigation of the Flagstaff police for the arrests of Native Americans and people of color. Already, the ACLU has released statistics revealing that Arizona police target American Indians during arrests.

For updates: Censored News

Snowbowl Protesters Lockdown for Second Time

Breaking News, Monday, August 8, 2011

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Eight Snowbowl Ski Resort protesters locked down to barrels at 5 am, protesting the destruction to sacred San Francisco Peaks.

Police are now cutting away the protesters. Peaks police liaison Rudy Preston arrested at the scene.

Native American are struggling to defend San Francisco Peaks, sacred to 13 area Native American Nations. The Snowbowl Ski Resort is already destroying the sacred mountain with the clearcutting of grandmother trees, as a pipeline is put in to bring sewage water to the ski resort for snowmaking.

Native American medicine men gather healing plants and conduct ceremonies on San Francisco Peaks. The healing herbs would be contaminated by sewage water snow.

Tourists are being asked to boycott Snowbowl Ski Resort. Many Flagstaff businesses use Native American images, jewelry and culture for profit. Flagstaff residents and businesses are asked to protect Native American sacred places and join the efforts to defend San Francisco Peaks.

Thanks to Alex Soto and Darrick Jay Hobbs for sending photos to Censored News, via cellphone.

Check back for updates.

More info: TrueSnow.org

San Francisco Peaks defenders continue actions after arrests

By Protect the Peaks

Posted at Censored News
(Francias/French)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — (August 7, 2011) More than one hundred people, including families with children and elders, marched through downtown Flagstaff on Sunday in protest of the destruction and desecration of the San Francisco Peaks by Arizona Snowbowl. Demonstrators first gathered at Wheeler Park where they were immediately ordered to leave the public park by the Flagstaff Police Department. As the march wound through downtown Flagstaff demonstrators were met with positive responses and support while dozens of police – many out of uniform — harassed the demonstrators. Police cars drove alongside the marchers. As the protesters passed out flyers and carried banners through Flagstaff’s Southside, police violently disrupted the march, grabbing those who were closest to the street and arresting them. As six marchers were handcuffed, the remaining demonstrators continued to yell demands for an end to the Peaks’ destruction.

“As long as Arizona Snowbowl, the Obama Administration’s Forest Service and the City of Flagstaff continue this ecocide and cultural genocide, we will not stop,” said Klee Benally (Dine’), one of the arrested marchers. “We will pray, march, protest, and take whatever action is necessary to ensure that our basic human rights, dignity and environment are safeguarded. Today’s unjustified force from the Flagstaff Police Department demonstrates that they are not on the side of justice or healthy communities. The Forest Service and City of Flagstaff are on the side of corporate interests that are destroying our communities.”

Since May 25, 2011, the owners of Arizona Snowbowl, with the support of the U.S. Forest Service and the Flagstaff City Council, have laid over five miles of a 14.8 mile wastewater pipeline and have clear-cut over 40 acres of rare alpine forest. A current lawsuit against the Forest Service, focusing on human health impacts of wastewater snowmaking, is still under appeal in the 9th Circuit Court. The individuals at today’s march are separate from the Coalition involved in the lawsuit.

Sunday’s march joins four decades of sustained resistance to desecration of the Holy Peaks. Over the past three weeks since Snowbowl began clear-cutting, dozens of protest camps have been established on the mountain.

“The Week of Action is a culmination of efforts to directly address the lack of political will of the Forest Service and City Council to safeguard the community, public health and cultural rights,” said Nadia Del Callejo who was arrested while simply video taping the incident.

“The same profit driven push that has desecrated the Peaks, is the same sickness that has lead to the militarization of the border and is now trying to desecrate South Mountain, which is sacred to all O’odham.” said Alex Soto (Tohono O‘odham ) who was also arrested, “Sacred sites are under attack, but today we said no. Our solidarity in these struggles is re-establishing our traditional networks of support.”

Demonstrators invite everyone to join them Monday, August 8, 12:30 pm at the United States Coconino National Forest Service Office at 1824 S. Thomson St, Wednesday, 12:30pm at High Desert Investment at 504 E Butler Ave and Wednesday, 4:00pm at Flagstaff City Hall.

Protesters vowed to not stop until the desecration of the Peaks stops. “I am not afraid of what will happen to me if I protest, what I am more afraid of is what will happen if I do not stand up for what the Peaks are,” Stated Del Callejo.

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Note to editors: High Resolution Photos Available.

CONTACT:
(928) 600-0856
protectpeaks@gmail.com

More updates:

• Protect the Peaks: City Hall Protest: Unstoppable after 17 Arrests!

• Photos: Peaks Supporters Blockade Snowbowl to Protect Sacred Mountain

• Can’t stop ’em now: San Francisco Peaks defenders protest at US Forest Service

www.truesnow.org

‘If A Tree Falls’ Screens in Durango, August 25-28

If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front explores two of America’s most pressing issues — environmentalism and terrorism — by lifting the veil on a radical environmental group the FBI calls America’s “number one domestic terrorism threat.” Daniel McGowan, a former member of the Earth Liberation Front, faces life in prison for two multimillion-dollar arsons against Oregon timber companies. What turned this working-class kid from Queens into an eco-warrior? Marshall Curry (Oscar®-nominated Street Fight, POV 2005) provides a nuanced and provocative account that is part coming-of-age story, part cautionary tale and part cops-and-robbers thriller. A co-production of ITVS. Winner of Best Documentary Editing Award, 2011 Sundance Film Festival. (90 minutes)

Screenings at 4PM & 7PM, August 25-28 at The Back Space Theatre, 1120 Main Ave. Ste.2 in Durango.

Earth First! Durango hopes to be there tabling, so look for us!