Peaks Trial Concluded - No Ruling Yet.

On November 15th Judge Paul Rosenblatt recessed the trial initiated by the lawsuit brought forth by tribes & environmental groups to protect the environmental and cultural integrity of the San Francisco Peaks from Arizona Snowbowl's plan for expansion & snowmaking with wastewater. There is currently no word on when a ruling will be made.

The Arizona Snowbowl Ski resort, located on the San Francisco Peaks in Northern AZ, is attemping to expand its development, clear-cut 74 acres of wilderness, make artificial snow from contaminated wastewater and more. The Peaks are sacred to over 13 Native American Nations and home to threatened species. A coalition of tribes and environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the Coconino Forest Service to stop this proposed development.

The Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai, Havasupai, Yavapai-Apache, White Mountain Apache, Sierra Club, Flagstaff Activist Network, Southwest Center for Biological Diversity, Dine' Medicine's Association, and a Hopi Traditionalist have filed the lawsuit against the Coconino Forest Service to prevent the federal agency from allowing Snowbowl's expansion and snowmaking with wastewater. The tribes and environmental groups challenge that the Forest Service has violated the National Environmental Policy Act and that the approved plan will violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

"This is a critical and historic trial that will determine the future of Native American Religious Freedom & the health of our communities," says Kelvin Long of ECHOES. "We are calling on all peoples of all faiths and walks of life to join us and stand up for respect for the environment and the diverse cultures in our community."

Support and prayers are needed!

November
Tues. Nov. 1st - 5:00 p.m. - Save the Peaks Candlelight Vigil with updates about Peaks trial, March through downtown Flagstaff and Rally on the front steps of City Hall! Starts at Heritage Square in Downtown Flagstaff, AZ at 5:00 p.m.
Dress warm and bring a candle and/or a sign! (come to the banner making party on Oct 26th!)

Download and print the flyer here!

8.5x11 (just the march - 270kb Jpg)
Handouts (280kb PDF)
11x17 (more info - 380kb PDF)

October

Wed. Oct. 26th - Banner Making Party at the Sierra Club 408 office (408 Rt. 66, Flagstaff, AZ) 4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Come make banners for the trials and upcoming march and rally!

The Vigils will happen at the SE corner of the downtown Sq. (corner of Cortez St. and Goodwin St.)

Visit the Catalyst Infoshop at 109 N. McCormick St, Prescott www.arizona.indymedia.org


Urge McCain to Support the Tribes!
There has also been a call to urge U.S. Senator John McCain to support the efforts of the tribes in protecting their religious freedom and human rights by taking a standing and letting the Forest Service know that Snowbowl's plan is only creating division and furthering the wounds that exist in our communities. Send a personal letter or call him today!
Senator John McCain
Phone: 202-224-2235
Fax: 202-228-2862
Email Contact: http://mccain.senate.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=Contact.Home

Visit our new section on Bruce Babbit: www.savethepeaks.org/babbittwatch

PROTEST BABBITT AND HIS ROLE IN DESECRATING THE SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS!
Bruce Babbitt, former Sercretary of the Interior and Governor of AZ will be touring and signing his new book around the country. Babbitt is now serving as the lawyer for Arizona Snowbowl and will be representing them in court in Prescott in a case that will decide the fate of Native American Religious freedom.