American Indians Plan to Occupy Glen Cove Sacred Site to Prevent Park Construction

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

VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA - By six o’clock Thursday evening, two dozen American Indians, from various tribes, had already gathered at the Glen Cove sacred site to monitor and to show solidarity to prevent the Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD) from starting construction for a proposed park.

A Full Occupation is to Begin this Morning at 8 am pdt.

The Glen Cove sacred site - known as Sogorea Te to American Indians - is slated to be a park. Sogorea Te is a 3,500 year-old Ohlone village. Glen Cove is located near the intersection of South Regatta and Whitesides Drive in Vallejo.

Grey Eagle - Diné

“It’s time for Indians and non-Indians to show solidarity,”

“I want to thank all the people who are coming to support us with our fight against GVRD and the city of Vallejo.” commented Henry “Grey Eagle” Padilla (Diné), one of the organizers of the occupation, on Thursday evening from Sogorea Te.

The purpose of the gathering Thursday was to have American Indians who will participate in the occupation understand the rules of the protest. “We want those who support us to understand we don’t swear and we want a peaceful protest,” continued Grey Eagle.

“The history and cultural value of the site has never been disputed. Human remains have been consistently unearthed as the area around the site has been developed. 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,” according to a posting at the website: ProtectGlenCove.org »

The $1.5 million planned park project is slated to be a parking lot, a two-stall restroom and improved trails. Additional construction involves the demolition of two buildings on the site.

Wounded Knee - Me-wuk

“We are gathered to show unity and to protect the sacred site,”

said Norman “Wounded Knee” DeOcampo (Me-wuk).

On Wednesday, members of the Ohlone Indians field a civil rights complaint to the California state Attorney General Kamala Harris to block the park.

Wounded Knee said earlier this week, he would get in front of a bulldozer to stop the construction and is prepared to go to jail if need to be fight for the sacred rights of American Indian people.

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