“We are in this fight together, as we are one drum, one circle, one prayer.”
11th Annual Chi’chil BiŁdagoteel Oak Flat March/Run
On December 20, 2014, when U.S. lawmakers transferred 2,400 acres of Apache sacred land to foreign mining companies, a decade-long spiritual journey culminated all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States to protect Chi’chil Biłdagoteel, also known as Oak Flat, from a backdoor land exchange.
Today the crux of the matter before SCOTUS lies in determining whether the government imposes a substantial burden on religious exercise under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or is subject to heightened scrutiny under the free exercise clause of the First Amendment, when it specifically targets a sacred site for complete physical destruction, thereby permanently ending site specific religious rituals.
“Destroying sacred sites is a major human rights violation. ”
For more about respecting sacred sites, human rights, and religious freedom visit: Apache Stronghold
The 11th Annual March to Save Chi’chil BiŁdagoteel / Oak Flat
Schedule
Thursday, Feb 20, 4pm Holy Ground Blessing & Dinner @ Old San Carlos Monument. Run will follow after blessing.
Friday, Feb 21, 8am March/Run will begin @ the New Skate Park (Sport Complex) and will end in Miami, AZ at the Shrine.
Saturday, Feb 22, 8am Run will begin @ the Shrine in Miami, AZ to Oak Flat.
If camping, please bring warm clothes, camping gear, chairs, and sanitation supplies. Meals will be provided. For more information visit Apache Stronghold.