The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians joined opposition to a controversial quarry mine in Riverside County, California.

Chairman Marc Macarro spoke at a public hearing last night on Liberty Quarry. He said the mine will hollow out a mountain that plays a key role in the tribe's creation story.

"And this mine would literally destroy it, change it forever," Macarro said, The Riverside Press-Enterprise reported.

Over 1,000 people attended the seven-hour hearing, the paper said. Most in the audience appear to oppose the project due to concerns about health and traffic

Supervisors in Riverside County will determine whether to approve the mine.

Get the Story:
QUARRY: Pechanga chairman opposes Liberty project (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 4/27)
QUARRY: Hearing fuels cheers and jeers (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 4/27)
Planners to hear quarry dispute (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 4/24)