 Sat., May14, 2016 |
| Photo: Israel's Elbit Systems, responsible for apartheid security in Palestine, has targeted Tohono O'odham burial places with US/Israeli spy towers |
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is accepting critical comments until May 16, 2016, on a project of vital concern to the Tohono O'odham Nation. Your support is welcome and may be significant.
By Ofelia Rivas, O'odham
O'odham VOICE against the WALL
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| Ofelia Rivas Photo by Brenda Norrell |
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is accepting critical comments until May 16 on a project of vital concern to the Tohono O'odham Nation. Your support is welcome and may be significant.
The CBP currently proposes building 15 surveillance towers near the United States – Mexico border on the Tohono O'odham Nation. These towers would be built by Elbit Systems, an Israeli corporation responsible for apartheid security in Palestine.
Seven of these towers would be in the district of Gu-Vo (Big Pond), the westernmost district of the Tohono O'odham Nation. The Gu-Vo Governing Council said No to the proposed construction of these Integrated Fixed Towers (IFT) in the Gu-Vo District, respecting its members desire to preserve and protect Gu-Vo District sacred burial sites and ancient community sites, as well as its current communities and future generations.
Six of the proposed towers are in or near communities. Of the two that are adjacent to the United States/Mexico International border, one is on a sacred burial place and ancient village site and the other is in Ali Jegk (Little Clearing) community.
The other five are along the western boundary of the Tohono O'odham Nation and Organ Pipe National monument which is not along the International Boundary, as can be seen from the map in this article: http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/09/us-israeli-pact-targets-traditional.html.
We urge you to leave comments opposing the building of these IFTs at this website: http://www.cbp.gov/about/environmental-cultural-stewardship/nepa-documents/docs-review. (Click on “Draft Environmental Assessment for Integrated Fixed Towers on the Tohono O’odham Nation in the Ajo and Casa Grande Stations’ Areas of Responsibility, U.S. Border Patrol Tucson Sector, Arizona” for directions to properly register comments.)
There are four main points to make in your comments:
Respect the Gu-Vo District position of NO IFTs whatsoever.
Respect the Gu-Vo District's actions to protect and preserve sacred places, ceremonial places and burial place and ancient village places.
Respect the authority of Gu-Vo District as O'odham authority, voice of O'odham Communities and community members.
Respect the Gu-Vo District's efforts to protect future generations.
Remember that the deadline is May 16, so please act quickly. UPDATE 5/20/16: the deadline has not been extended but comments should continue to be submitted.
Thank you!
O'odham VOICE Against the WALL
Ofelia Rivas
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