Save the Knoll March to City Hall, Santa Cruz

Demand that Santa Cruz City Council Respect the Rights of Indigenous People

When: Thursday, August 25th at 10:00am
Where: Pacific & Laurel, Downtown Santa Cruz

It has been over three weeks since KB Home contractors unearthed the skeletal remains of a young Ohlone child at the Branciforte Creek construction site in Santa Cruz. The City Council has yet to meaningfully address this situation or take action to honor Ohlone requests to protect the area by halting KB Home's planned development.

This Thursday morning, Santa Cruz City Council will be holding a special closed meeting at City Hall. The Branciforte Creek development is NOT on their agenda. However, this is an opportunity to address the council, asking them to take action around this urgent issue.

We will march through downtown Santa Cruz to City Hall, distributing educational flyers. At the beginning of the 11:00 council meeting, a representative of Save the Knoll Coalition will speak briefly during the public comment period and deliver a large stack of signed petitions to the mayor.

Ohlone descendants have asked for a halt to any earth movement or development on the 6,000 year old village and burial site. Hundreds of Santa Cruz residents have rallied in support of the Ohlone people who are asking that the area be protected before any more of their ancestors are disturbed.

The City has stated repeatedly that they are following state law regarding the treatment of Native American burial sites. State law, however, does not currently provide adequate protection--we will be demanding that the City show leadership in respecting the rights of Native Americans, as outlined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Please join us at 10:00am on Thursday to deliver a strong message to City Council.