Stop Border Wall Construction on Native American Land (Kumeyaay Land)

Stop Border Wall Construction on Native American Land (Kumeyaay Land)

Started
July 16, 2020
Petition to
Signatures: 3,628Next Goal: 5,000
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Why this petition matters

Started by Cheyenne Lira

As of July 10th 2020 the Kumeyaay people (some of the first inhabitants of Southern California) face illegal action by a private company hired under the Trump Administration to desecrate and destroy sacred land. They were not given permission from any tribal leader or representative to start the construction process.  It is speculated that the funding for the construction of the wall has been done so illegally and that the companies are privately contracted under the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The company plans on breaking grounds by using explosives on sacred ancestral sites.

This action is a direct violation of section 106 of National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Subpart B of the act states, "When Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations attach religious and cultural significance to historic properties off tribal lands, section 101(d)(6)(B) of the act requires Federal agencies to consult with such Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations in the section 106 process..."

In addition to this, the act also states, "The agency official should coordinate the steps of the section 106 process, as appropriate, with the overall planning schedule for the undertaking and with any reviews required under other authorities such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, the Archeological Resources Protection Act and agency-specific legislation..."

The Kumeyaay people have rightfully challenged the demolition project by asking for their own soil tests to be taken along with cadaver canine units to be deployed, only to have these requests denied.

The Kumeyaay people are now taking it upon themselves to get the soil testing and cadaver dogs on their own through private agencies. To accomplish this however, demolition and construction must be halted. Unfortunately the construction company has still proceeded and have ignored the voices of the Kumeyaay people. We ask for your support to get this serious matter onto the agenda of the San Diego City Council and brought to the attention of the Borders Committee (also know as SANDAG) to slow down and ultimately cease further destruction and construction.

We, the Kumeyaay people, are not unfamiliar to broken treaties and are exhausted of being dismissed by the government. With your help and support we hope that this will not be a repeat of history and that our people, (especially our children), traditions and land can thrive for centuries to come.

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Signatures: 3,628Next Goal: 5,000
Support now
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Decision Makers

  • Kevin Faulconer
  • Kevin FaulconerMayor of San Diego
  • Sandag Board of Directors
  • Monica MontgomeryCouncil Member District 4
  • Vivian MorenoCouncil Member District 8