Glen Cove Occupation Faces Eviction Today [Updated]

Today is the fifth day of the ongoing occupation of the sacred burial site at Glen Cove, Vallejo, to prevent a major construction project from going forward. From Indybay:

For Immediate Release: Monday, April 18, 2011
Contact: Morning Star Gali (510) 827 6719 * Mark Anquoe (415) 680 0110 * Corrina Gould 510-575-8408 * Norman “Wounded Knee” Deocampo 707-373-7195

***URGENT***
Steve Presley of GVRD threatens spiritual encampment of removal tonight after agreements to meet tomorrow!

* Native Americans Continue Spiritual Ceremonies and Occupation of Burial Site
* Dozens of local residents visit and express support for protecting the sacred land
* GVRD’s Public Relations Fails to Mention Plans to Bulldoze Hill That Likely Contains Human Remains
* Participants Conduct Glen Cove Beach Cleanup & Remove Graffiti on Abandoned Mansion

Vallejo, California - The occupation of the ancient burial site at Glen Cove in Vallejo by Native Americans and supporters entered its fifth day on Monday, April 18, 2011 as dozens remain at the site to guard it against desecration by bulldozers.

On Sunday, Native Americans and their supporters conducted a cleanup of the beach at Glen Cove, and also painted over Nazi graffiti that the City had allowed to remain on the old Mansion at the site. Dozens of local residents visited the occupation over the weekend and expressed their support for protecting the burial site. Many expressed outrage that the City was wasting money fighting the Native Americans over this site when other City parks are dilapidated due to budget problems. Supporters brought food and supplies.

The Native Americans are highlighting the fact that public statements by the Greater Vallejo Recreation District in the last few days is very misleading, with GVRD representatives claiming they want to protect the burial site but failing to mention their plans to dig into a hill that likely contains human remains with bulldozers.

The U.S. Department of Justice met with the Native American leadership on Saturday to lay the groundwork for a possible mediation meeting with Greater Vallejo Recreation District on Monday or Tuesday.

The history and cultural value of the site has never been disputed. Native Americans continue to hold ceremonies at Sogorea Te just as they have for thousands of years. The Glen Cove Shell Mound spans fifteen acres along the Carquinez Strait. It is the final resting place of many Indigenous People dating back more than 3,500 years, and has served as a traditional meeting place for dozens of California Indian tribes. The site continues to be spiritually important to California tribes. The Glen Cove site is acknowledged by GVRD and the City to have many burials and to be an important cultural site, yet they are attempting to build a toilet and parking lot on this sacred site and to grade a hill that likely contains human remains and important cultural artifacts. SSP&RIT have asked GVRD to reconsider their plans to grade the hill and build toilets and a parking lot at the site.

[Update Monday 8:24 pm]: We just received the following news on the email:

A temporary agreement has been reached with GVRD, which allows the spiritual gathering at Glen Cove to continue for the next 24 hours without threat of arrest. More than 150 people responded to the call for support.

GVRD's plans to desecrate the sacred burial site have not been called off and we ask all our supporters to please remain on alert. We continue to invite all who will join us in prayer to stand with us at Glen Cove as we continue to work on all levels to protect the ancestors from further desecration.