Vallejo Native Americans To Protest Proposed Park
VALLEJO (BCN) - Native Americans plan a peaceful protest Saturday of a proposed recreational development on what they consider a sacred burial site in Vallejo's Glen Cove.
The Greater Vallejo Recreation District plans to demolish a 3,000-square-foot mansion and 1,000-square foot caretaker's residence, and install picnic tables, a small restroom, a parking lot and two trails on a 15-acre site, district general manager Shane McAffee said.
Construction of the $1.2 million project has not started, but the intention is to preserve the Glen Cove Shellmound site, McAffee said.
Bradley Angel, spokesman for Greenaction, said the site is a burial ground that also contains Native American artifacts.
He said the proposed project amounts to "digging up graves and putting toilets on them."
The Native Americans have protested at the site before. Angel said Saturday's noontime event is a spiritual gathering and ceremony.
McAffee said the Native American groups have not yet submitted a proposal on how to resolve the issue.
"We need to know what they will accept (at the site). We'll be happy to discuss it if they have a unified voice," McAffee said.
Angel said the "unity proposal" will be submitted this week, but Vallejo officials broke an agreement to meet with the indigenous groups.
"We have no faith in them," he said.
Angel said plans to "truncate" the hill are "ridiculous."
McAffee said the shellmound will be preserved and the recreation district wants to stabilize and protect it.
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