This is outrageous. Oak Flat in Arizona, an Apache holy place where coming-of-age ceremonies have been performed for many generations and is a sacred place for prayer, has been handed over to an Australian-British firm, Resolution Copper Mining company. They predict that the mining will result in a two-mile wide, 1000 feet-deep crater. Read the op-ed piece in the New York Times today and then do something. Contact your congressional representative and/or senator and ask them to repeal this law. Had this been a holy site for any other major religion, this would not be happening.
http://www.nytimes.com/...
Oak Flat was originally protected by Eisenhower and then Nixon. In December, 2014,
the giveaway language was slipped onto the defense bill by Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake of Arizona at the 11th hour. The tactic was successful only because, like most last-minute riders, it bypassed public scrutiny.
Go below the orange infinity symbol for more quotes from the op-ed author, Lydia Millet.
The parent company of Resolution is Rio Tinto. This from Ms. Millet:
It’s worth noting that Rio Tinto affiliates have been McCain campaign contributors, and that Mr. Flake, before he made it to Congress, was a paid lobbyist for Rio Tinto Rössing Uranium (a huge uranium mine in Namibia).
Ms. Millet ends her column with these words:
The deal is an impressive new low in congressional corruption, unworthy of our country’s ideals no matter what side of the aisle you’re on. It’s exactly the kind of cynical maneuvering that has taught the electorate to disrespect politicians — a disdain for government that hurts everyone. If ever there was a time for Congress to prove its moral mettle to the public, this is that time. The rider should be repealed
There have been about 300 Apache camping, demonstrating at Oak Flat since February. We should help their cause.
