Amah Mutsun tribe leads five-mile pilgrimage from San Juan Bautista to threatened ceremonial land on September 8, 2019
Help protect Amah Mutsun sacred site from a proposed sand and gravel pit mine
“For well over 100 years our members kept a very low profile and trusted no one as we struggled for our survival as a Tribe. Today we fully recognize that the efforts to destroy and dominate our peoples never ended, it just evolved to the laws, rules, and regulations that we live with today. These laws prevent Universities and other governmental organizations from returning the remains of our ancestors, from having Tribal lands, and these laws allow the continued destruction of our cultural and sacred sites.
Currently there is a proposal to allow sand and gravel extraction on our most sacred site, Juristac. There are very few cultural and sacred sites left in Santa Clara County, most have been destroyed by development. We are asking you to stand with us to protect Juristac and to oppose this mining proposal.”
We hope you will read the information on the Protect Juristac website, sign our petition and consider other "How to Help" steps that are needed for our success.
Find more info about the project at Protectjuristac.org
Follow Protect Juristac on Facebook and Instagram @protectjuristac for more updates on the campaign.
Current updates on the campaign…
City of Santa Cruz to consider resolution in support of protecting Juristac on Tuesday February 11th at 12:15 p.m.
On Tuesday, February 11, the Santa Cruz City Council will consider a resolution that opposes a planned sand and gravel mining operation at Juristac, also known as Sargent Ranch. The Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, for whom Juristac is a sacred grounds of the utmost historical significance, is asking the City of Santa Cruz to adopt the resolution.
Members of the public are invited to gather in front of Santa Cruz City Hall at 1pm on Tuesday, to show their support and witness the proceedings. We will enter the Council chambers together with tribal members at 1:30pm. Amah Mutsun Chair Valentin Lopez will address the Council, asking them to adopt the resolution. Afterwards, we will gather in front of City Hall for a photograph and closing prayer.
Join us at 12:15 p.m.
Tuesday, February 11
Santa Cruz City Hall
809 Center St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
UPDATE: The city of Morgan Hill unanimously passed the resolution to protect Juristac!
ACTION ALERT: Rally and Press Conference - Morgan Hill City Hall
Wednesday, January 15, 2020 6:00pm, Morgan Hill City Hall, 17555 Peak Ave., Morgan Hill, CA 95037
The Amah Mutsun Tribal band is hosting this rally to protect their sacred sites, wildlife, and open space. The Morgan Hill City Council will vote on a resolution opposing the proposed destructive mine at Juristac. All are welcomed and encouraged to stand with the Amah Mutsun at the rally, press conference, and city hall meeting.
Agenda:
6:00 Gathering
6:30 Program
7:00 Head into Council Chambers
As stated in the San Jose Inside article published November 28, 2019 titled: Fight over Proposed Sargent Ranch Quarry is Shaping Up to be Silicon Valley’s Standing Rock
“Approval of the Sargent Quarry Project is contingent on a number of pending factors. There’s an ethnographic study taking place, along with a draft environmental impact report being undertaken by the county Department of Planning and Development. The EIR was expected in November, but county planner Rob Eastwood said this week, “We found a few things that are going to take a little more time to look at” and that the report’s new expected release date is early next year.
Environmental groups have come out against the proposed mine because of the adverse impact it would likely have on iconic species such as the American badger, puma and California red-legged frog.
After the draft environmental review is issued, opposition groups will likely have somewhere between 45 to 75 days to submit questions or objections to the county Planning Commission, which will then vote on the mine.
It’s likely that their findings will be appealed either way, leaving the final decision to the county Board of Supervisors.”
Photo by Derek Neumann