Christian Churches, Religious Groups Gather in Pasadena Supporting Apache Stronghold’s Efforts to Save Sacred Mining Site

[Updated]  A coalition of Christian churches and religious groups, including members of the Pasadena Mennonite Church, plan to gather Tuesday morning in Defender’s Park in West Pasadena to support Apache Stronghold’s efforts to save Oak Flat, a site east of Phoenix, Arizona that the group considers sacred, from use by a mining company. 

The demonstrations would come ahead of the morning’s review by a full 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel of 11 judges of a previous outcome in Apache Stronghold v. United States.

“We are here supporting Apache Stronghold, an indigenous group seeking to protect their sacred site from a copper mining company, and coming together with many other faith communities and religious groups, to support the Apache people as they seek to protect sacred land,” said a demonstrator from the Fresno area.

The case has been ongoing for almost two decades, with a coalition of tribes, environmentalists, and recreationists on one side and the U.S. government and the mining company on the other. 

After being dismissed by an Arizona judge, Apache Stronghold took the case to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel heard arguments in October 2021 and ruled against them. However, the appeals court recently announced that it would rehear the case “en banc,” with all 11 judges set to review the appeal on Tuesday.

Apache Stronghold’s attorney, Luke Goodrich, emphasized in an interview with Fox News that the case goes beyond Oak Flat, stating, “This isn’t just about Oak Flat, but about all cases involving American Indian sacred site litigation.”

The case is being closely watched as it could set a precedent for future cases involving religious freedom and Native American rights.