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News Advisory



Tribes and Environmental Groups Appeal Peaks Decision
Save the Peaks Coalition Prepares Caravan & Support Events


Flagstaff, AZ - On September 14, 2006 the legal battle to protect Arizona's sacred San Francisco Peaks from ski area expansion and snowmaking with wastewater will come to San Francisco, California at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals for oral arguments.
The Arizona Snowbowl Ski resort, located on the sacred Peaks, is attempting to expand its development, clear-cut acres of old growth trees, and make ar tificial snow from contaminated wastewater. A coalition of tribes and enviro nmental groups have filed lawsuits against the Coconino Forest Service, which leases the public land to the Snowbowl, to stop this proposed development.
The Save the Peaks Coalition, an all volunteer group which was formed in
2004 to protect the sacred mountain, along with youth and elders from Navajo, Hopi, Apache, Havasupai and other nations, will make the journey on September, 12 th 2006 in a caravan from Arizona to attend the court proceedings San Francisco, CA.
"We call on all people who value the protection of our cultural and natural heritage to join us." Said Kelvin Long, Executive Director of ECHOES. "We are offering our support for the protection of sacred sites, human rights and the restoration of balance with our environment, this is <= On September 13th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. a ceremonial gathering and welcoming of regional tribes, environmental groups and supporters of sacred sites protection, environmental justice and cultural survival will be held at Yerba Buena Park located at 3rd St. and Mission in San Francisco, CA. An evening dinner reception and discussion on sacred sites protection and environmental justice with tribal representatives, spiritual leaders and environmental advocates will also be held from 4:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. at the American Indian Friendship House in San Francisco (56 Julian Avenue).
A Candlelight Vigil with speakers to address cultural and environmental issues will also be held in Flagstaff, Arizona on September 13th at 5:30 p.m. in Heritage Square.
On September 14th in San Francisco, CA there will be a sunrise prayer gathering at 6:00 a.m. in Dolores Park (Dolores St. at 18thSt ) Circuit courthouse during the actual trial. There will also be limited space inside the courtroom for those interested in viewing the trial. After the court proceedings there will be a press conference on the steps of the 9 th Circuit Court of Appeals.
"We don't feel that it is coincidence that our journey for environmental and cultural justice will take us from the sanctity of the San Francisco Peaks in Northern Arizona to the Californian city named after the same Catholic Saint of ecology," Says Klee Benally, Save the Peaks Coalition volunteer. "Regardless of anyone's faith or beliefs, the outcome of this case will forever impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans, and we hope that no one would stand for that."
"Our voices are the voices of our ancestors, we are here to bring a message of hope for protection of our sacred sites and unification of people who have respect for life over money, for the future people - our children."; Said Kelvin Long.



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