The Department of Justice is mediating a dispute over development at a sacred site in northern California.

A group called Sacred Sites Protection and Rights of Indigenous Tribes is occupying a park at Glen Cove. The Greater Vallejo Recreation District ordered protesters to leave or be arrested by Monday evening.

That didn't happen due to intervention by DOJ, The Vallejo Times Herald. About 100 people are taking part in the occupation.

"We've been battling the city of Vallejo for 12 years," said Vallejo resident Norman "Wounded Knee" DeoCampo, a descendant of the Miwok Indians. "All we want to do is protect this site and preserve it."

"We've been battling the city of Vallejo for 12 years," Norman "Wounded Knee" DeoCampo, who is Miwok, told the paper. "All we want to do is protect this site and preserve it."

Ohlone, Miwok and other Indian descendants don't want a 3,500-year-old settlement disturbed. Plans call for the city to put restrooms on top of a burial site.

Get the Story:
No arrests in dispute over Glen Cove burial site (The Vallejo Times Herald 4/19)
Native American Protest Over Park Plan Continues (KTVU-TV 4/18)
Sacred Land or Parking Lot? (NBC Bay Area 4/18)
Native Americans ordered end Glen Cove occupation, call for support (Human Rights Examiner 4/18)

Related Stories:
California attorney general pressed to protect sacred site (4/14)