The nonprofit Apache Stronghold has submitted its writ certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court in a bid to overturn a lower court’s ruling over Oak Flat earlier Wednesday.
The group dropped off its petition in person, marking the end of a two-month prayer journey to the nation’s capital.
Organizers hoped their cross-country trip would drum up support from tribes and religious institutions to save the Apache sacred site called Oak Flat — 60 miles east of Phoenix — from mining by Resolution Copper.
Apache Stronghold has argued that the proposed mining site is subject to federal laws protecting religious freedom, like the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978.
However, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected that claim in March.
But now, Apache Stronghold founder Wendsler Nosie Sr. and the rest of his group are praying for the spirit of God to “touch the hearts of all those appointed to the Supreme Court.”
They wish for the justices to “act justly to enact laws to protect Oak Flat, Apache religion, Mother Earth and all Creation.”
In a statement, Resolution Copper told KJZZ News this case “doesn’t present any question worthy of Supreme Court review,” adding that its dialogues with local tribal communities will continue to shape the project.
