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Indybay Feature

March to Santa Cruz City Hall to Save the Knoll

by ~Bradley (bradley [at] riseup.net)
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.

On August 25th, 75 people marched in downtown Santa Cruz from Laurel and Pacific to City Hall on Center Street in an action organized by the Save the Knoll Coalition. One person maintained an indigenous chant throughout the march, many people carried signs and banners, and several distributed educational flyers.

The march was urgently organized for 10am on a Thursday because the Santa Cruz City Council was holding a special closed meeting, but the Branciforte Creek development was not on their agenda. However, prior to the closed meeting, twenty minutes were allocated for public comments about the pending Branciforte Creek development.
respect-ohlone-burial-sites_8-25-11.jpg
Charlene Sul, a representative of the Save the Knoll Coalition, was one of the people who made impassioned public comments. Santa Cruz Vice Mayor Don Lane reported that he has been talking with KB Home representatives in an effort to protect the Knoll. Councilmember Tony Madrigal inquired with city attorney John Barrisone about holding another city council meeting soon to discuss the Knoll. Tony's inquiry was backed by Councilmember Katherine Beiers, who said she was misinformed regarding the public comment period, and had told about 15 people that there would not be time for public comment.

At a rally outside city hall following the public comment period, Save the Knoll organizers stated that they felt the response from City Council was positive overall. But this is no time for people to let their guards down, rather it is important for people to continue putting pressure on KB Home and the Santa Cruz City Council.

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 anymore of their ancestors are disturbed.
§Join the Movement
by ~Bradley
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§Respect Sacred Sites
by ~Bradley
respect-sacred-sites_8-25-11.jpg
§STOP KB
by ~Bradley
terra-nativa-stop-kb_8-25-11.jpg
§Save the Knoll
by ~Bradley
save-the-knoll_8-25-11.jpg
§KB Home Sucks
by ~Bradley
kb-home-sucks_8-25-11.jpg
§Flyer & Parking Citation
by ~Bradley
flyer-parking-citation_8-25-11.jpg
§Talk With Us
by ~Bradley
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§KB Home Ethics
by ~Bradley
kb-home-ethics_8-25-11.jpg
Call them at: 800-304-0657
§Protect the Ancestors
by ~Bradley
protect-the-ancestors_8-25-11.jpg
§All Cemeteries Are Sacred
by ~Bradley
cemeteries-are-sacred_8-25-11.jpg
§No Cultural Genocide!
by ~Bradley
no-cultural-genocide_8-25-11.jpg
§Respect
by ~Bradley
respect_8-25-11.jpg
§Ann Marie Sayers
by ~Bradley
ann-marie-sayers_8-25-11.jpg
Ann Marie Sayers, an Ohlone native, has been designated as the "Most Likely Descendent" of peoples who have been dug up during the construction which has already begun at Branciforte Creek.
§Charlene Sul
by ~Bradley
charlene-sul_8-25-11.jpg
Charlene Sul, an Ohlone native, is an artist, activist and newly-appointed professor at CSU Monterey Bay.
§Santa Cruz City Council
by ~Bradley
santa-cruz-city-council_8-25-11.jpg
Add Your Comments

Comments (Hide Comments)
Although the details in this article need some clarification before I can start celebrating, it seems they have come to an agreement not to build. Thank you all who are fighting the good fight. If it was not for all the voices of descent, KB would of had their way without any public opinion.

http://www.mercurynews.com/central-coast/ci_18931239
by KB Home Problems
Unfortunately, given our KB Home experience and the research we've done on KB Home it seems that KB Home doesn't really seem to care. I've heard they'll also build on toxic sites, they build in flood zones, where the drinking water is contaminated and will slip release of liability into the lengthy contract so you don't have any recourse. For more information about our own KB Home experience visit KB Home Problems
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