Center for Biological Diversity
BECAUSE LIFE IS GOOD

Protecting endangered species and wild places through
science, policy, education, and environmental law.

News Advisory

For Immediate Release: Andy Bessler: 928-774-6103 or 928-380-7808
July 8th, 2002 Bryn Jones: 520-795-6562
More Information: Zuni Salt Lake Coalition

Tribal Runners Join Zuni Leaders to Stop
SRP's Fence Lake Coal Strip Mine

Runners from many SW tribes will let their feet do the talking when they offer prayers and support as a send-off to Zuni leaders who are on their way to testify in Senate hearings in Washington DC.

Zuni, NM-- From Thursday July 11th to Monday, July 15th, native runners will begin a 260-mile traditional run from the Hopi, Navajo and Phoenix area reservations, to the Pueblo of Zuni in Western New Mexico. The runners are providing their support and offering prayers of protection to the Zuni Salt Lake Coalition and the Zuni Tribe in their efforts to stop the proposed Fence Lake Coal Strip Mine. Despite protests by tribal leaders and the Zuni Salt Lake Coalition, the Department of Interior recently approved the proposed mine.

The Zuni Salt Lake Coalition brings together diverse groups seeking environmental justice that have joined with the Zuni tribe. Coalition members include these grassroots and environmental group: The Center for Biological Diversity, the Citizens Coal Council, Sierra Club and the Water Information Network. Hopi, Navajo, Yaqui, and Xicano runners will converge with Zuni runners at the New Mexico/ Arizona border at 7AM PST and 8AM MDT. The runners will then be arriving at the A:shiwi A:wan Museum for a gathering with the Zuni Governor; Malcolm Bowekaty and members of the Zuni Salt Lake Coalition at noon MST.

The traditional runners will help bring support and strength for the Zuni Governor and other tribal leaders as they leave for their appearance before the US Senate Hearings on Sacred Sites Protection in Washington D.C on July 17th. The Governor will testify about the federal government's failure to uphold its trust responsibilities to Native tribes and to protecting sacred sites across the country.

What: Traditional Run and Gathering
Who: Tribal Runners from Navajo, Hopi, Xicano, Apache, and Yaqui will run into Zuni to rally with Zuni Governor Malcolm Bowekaty, Zuni Salt Lake Coalition members, and Zuni Tribal members.
When: Run- Friday, July 12th thru Monday July 15th
Gathering- Noon (MDT), Monday July 15th
Where: Run- Call for information on run routes and specific locations.
Gathering- A:shiwi A:wan Museum on Hwy 53 Zuni Pueblo, NM

(end)


more press releases. . .

Go back