Sogorea Te Sacred Site Protest - Day 7

American Indian Protest Leaders Call for an Indigenous Peoples Earth Day and Interfaith Gathering at Sogorea Te

by Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Challenges. Discussion »

VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA - American Indians from the San Francisco Bay area have spent seven days at the Sogorea Te sacred site, commonly known as Glen Cove, to protest their opposition to a proposed park at the site.

SSP&RIT is now calling the protest, turned occupation, a “spiritual encampment and vigil.”

The Greater Vallejo Recreation District wants to spend $1.5 million on the proposed park that, if constructed, will have 15 parking spaces and two toilets at the site.

Sogorea Te Sacred Site Protest - Day 7

The Sacred Sites Protection and Rights of Indigenous Tribes (SSP&RIT) organization opposes the proposed construction of the park and has led the week-long occupation.

SSP&RIT is now calling for an Indigenous Peoples Earth Day and Interfaith Gathering for this coming Saturday, April 23 from 1 pm - 5 pm at the Sogorea Te sacred site.

With the call for an Interfaith Gathering, SSP&RIT leadership welcomes non-Indians to come to Sogorea Te to voice their support of its stance. Local residents of Vallejo have been stopping by all week to voice their opposition to the proposed park.

Sogorea Te Sacred Site Protest - Day 7

“Tribal members are inviting the general public to come to Glen Cove for this gathering that will bring together people from many faiths, cultures and religions in support of the struggle to protect Glen Cove from desecration and destruction,” wrote SPP&RIT leaders in a news released send out last night.

At any given time, there are 35 - 50 American Indians at Sogorea Te. At times crowd of supporters has grown to 200 of American Indians and non-Indians, who come to lend their support and even bring those who stay at Sogorea Te food and other supplies.

Sogorea Te was a Ohlone village that dates back 3,500 years. American Indians from various tribes from throughout the United States gather there for ceremonies at various times throughout the year.