INDIANS BLOCKADE
ILLEGAL SEWAGE SLUDGE FACILITIES
Thermal, CA. -- Tribal leaders and members from the Torres-Martinez
Desert Cahuilla Indian Tribe of Southern California have begun a non-
violent blockade of the illegal sewage sludge facilities on their land.
At 9:30 a.m., following a ceremonial blessing, tribal members and
supporters began fencing off the entrance to the facilities and
established a human blockade to keep trucks out. Additional barriers
are being constructed from railroad ties and barrels.
In response to the fire that burned for a week at the sludge facility, and
the failure of federal agencies to enforce federal environmental law
and shut down the illegal sludge opperations, the tribal members have
begun a dramatic escalation of their protest to protect their land,
environment, and sovereignty.
Los Angeles and Orange Counties continue to send sewage sludge to
the illegal facilities located on the reservation, in violation of tribal
Cease and Desist orders and federal law. The City of San Diego
refuses to remove half a million tons of transported from city facilities
and illegaly dumped on the reservation.
We, the tribal members of the Torres-Martinez Reservation are taking
a stand to stop the sludge dumping on our Reservation, said Alec
Dominguez. The government never lifted a finger to help us, so we
have no alternative but to exercisse our sovereignty and enforce tribal
and federal law.
Joining the protest and blockade are supporters from many Southern
California reservations, Dine C.A.R.E., from the Navajo (Dine)
Nation, U.N. Observers from the International Indian Treaty Council,
Elders from the Colville Reservation of Washington State,
Greenpeace, California Communities Against Toxics and others.