Statements from Tohono O'odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris, Jr. and U.S. Representative Raúl Grijalva on ruling in Amber Ortega case
News Releases
Tohono O'odham Nation
Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee
Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris, Jr. issued the following statement regarding yesterday’s ruling in the case of tribal citizen Amber Ortega:
“Construction of the border wall inflicted permanent damage to Quitobaquito Springs and other sacred sites for the O’odham. We appreciate that the court corrected its earlier error and recognized that protesting this great harm met the requirements for defense under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This desecration should not have happened and can never be allowed to happen again.
The Nation will continue to advocate for stronger legal protections of sacred places for the O'odham and all tribes.”
(Image: Tohono O’odham Nation - Office of the Chairman and Vice Chairwoman)
U.S. Representative Raúl M. Grijalva pushed out a tweet on the recent Not Guilty verdict for Amber Ortega:
Amber Ortega’s ‘not guilty’ verdict is welcome news. I support her for demonstrating her right to protest the construction of an illegal, wasteful border wall and the Trump administration’s abuse of power in order to protect a sacred site integral to the Tohono O’odham Nation. We have a responsibility to native tribes and must protect their sacred sites and cultural heritage to preserve the shared history of America.
– Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva
(Image: Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee)
