Back

Mennonites join #ApacheStronghold on #PrayerJourney to Supreme Court

Anabaptist World
September 6, 2024

"#Mennonite congregations and individuals from the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery are supporting Apache Stronghold’s two-month prayer journey across the United States to deliver their appeal directly to the #USSupremeCourt.

"The #SanCarlosApache and their allies argue that a land swap tucked into a defense spending bill that gave away their sacred location of Oak Flat to create a copper mine violates their religious freedom. The journey culminates Sept. 11 in #WashingtonDC.

"The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Apache Stronghold earlier this year in a 6-5 ruling. The group is represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which will petition the high court to hear the case.

"'Obliterating the birthplace of #WesternApache religion would be a tragic betrayal of our nation’s promise of #Religious Freedom for all,' said Luke Goodrich, Becket vice president and senior counsel. 'We will ask the Supreme Court to take this case, #ProtectOakFlat and ensure that #IndigenousPeoples receive the same protection for religious freedom that all other faith groups enjoy.'

"Mennonites congregations involved in supporting the journey through prayer and hospitality included First Mennonite Church of San Francisco, Pasadena Mennonite Church in California, Shalom Mennonite Fellowship in Tucson, Ariz., Albuquerque Mennonite Church in New Mexico, Joy Mennonite Church in Oklahoma City, Raleigh Mennonite Church in North Carolina and Hyattsville Mennonite in Maryland. Acts of solidarity with the Apache ranged from preparing food to offering space to sleep to arranging public gatherings of prayer.

"'I asked myself: what does it mean to Dismantle the #DoctrineOfDiscovery? I have learned that the Apache Stronghold is not just fighting for Oak Flat, but for #MotherEarth, the greatest gift we have received. They are fighting for all of us,' said Frances Loberg, a member of Salem Mennonite Church in Oregon and the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery. She has been on the prayer journey for its full course. 'I am being healed as I have seen how Mother Earth is alive. We have seen the pain and struggles all across the country. This fight for mother earth is for all of us.'"

Read more:
https://anabaptistworld.org/mennonites-join-apache-stronghold-on-prayer-journey-to-supreme-court/