Apache Stronghold heads to Supreme Court to save Oak Flat Apaches and their supporters host day of prayer outside Court on day of landmark appeal

WASHINGTON – A coalition of Western Apaches, other Native peoples, and non-Native allies will host a day of prayer outside the Supreme Court next week as they ask the Justices to protect their sacred site at Oak Flat from destruction by a multinational mining giant. In Apache Stronghold v. United States, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals refused to stop the federal government from transferring Oak Flat to Resolution Copper, a foreign-owned mining company that plans to turn the site into a massive mining crater, ending Apache religious practices forever (Watch this short video to learn more). The Apaches are now seeking to save the spiritual lifeblood of their people at the Supreme Court.   

Since time immemorial, Western Apaches and other Native peoples have gathered at Oak Flat for sacred religious ceremonies that cannot take place anywhere else. Known in Apache as Chi’chil Biłdagoteel, Oak Flat is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and has been protected from mining and other harmful practices for decades. These protections were targeted in December 2014 when a last-minute provision was inserted into a must-pass defense bill authorizing the transfer of Oak Flat to the Resolution Copper company. Apache Stronghold—a coalition of Apaches, other Native peoples, and non-Native allies—initially filed this lawsuit in January 2021 seeking to halt the proposed mine at Oak Flat.  

Next week’s day of prayer concludes Apache Stronghold’s journey across the United States to Washington, D.C., that began on July 11. It will feature remarks from members of Apache Stronghold and their allies. 

What:  

Apache Stronghold day of prayer at the Supreme Court with guest speakers 

Who: 

Members of Apache Stronghold, other Native peoples, non-Native allies 

Luke Goodrich, Becket attorney representing Apache Stronghold before the Supreme Court

When:  

Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET  

Where:  

Supreme Court of the United States
1 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20543 

In addition to Becket, Apache Stronghold is represented by Erin Murphy of Clement & Murphy PLLC, Professor Stephanie Barclay of Georgetown Law School, and attorneys Michael V. Nixon and Clifford Levenson. 

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Ryan Colby at media@becketlaw.org or 202-349-7219.