The Apache Stronghold, mostly members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, traveled 2,000 miles from Arizona to Washington, D.C. for a protest at the U.S. Capitol on July 22, 2015. Photo by Indianz.Com

Arizona Republic columnist E.J. Montini doesn't think Congress will do the right thing and pass H.R.2811, the Save Oak Flat Act, to prevent a sacred Apache site from being harmed by a mining development:

The protesters journeyed from Arizona's San Carlos reservation to Washington, D.C., where they are this week.

They want Congress to reverse the offer of land in Tonto National Forest, called Oak Flat, to foreign mining conglomerates. The Apache people for generations have considered the land sacred.

Beneath the property, however, is copper.

And last year, Republican Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake and Republican Rep. Paul Gosar added a rider to the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act allowing for a land swap that would hand over the property to Resolution Copper, a subsidiary of international mining company Rio Tinto. Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick also supported the deal.

Supporters cite economics. Jobs. Tax revenue.

This is more or less what representatives of the United States government say every time they are doing something to land that native people believe to be holy.

Money wins.

Get the Story:
E.J. Montini: Tribal beliefs v. big business (Yeah, we know who wins) (The Arizona Republic 7/24)

More Opinions:
Stephen Boyd: The Apache are coming to DC (The Hill 7/21)
Dave Johnson: Oak Flat: The Latest Land Grab From Native Americans (The Huffington Post 7/22)

Also Today:
iting Religious Freedom, Native Americans Fight To Take Back Sacred Land From Mining Companies (Think Progress 7/24)
Apaches Rally At Capitol, Vowing To Continue Fighting For Sacred Oak Flat (The Huffington Post 7/22)
Apache activists call on Congress to reverse deal that gave sacred land to mining company (Free Speech Radio News‎ 7/23)
Tribe vows to fight Arizona lawmakers over land swap (Cronkite News 7/23)
Resolution Copper: 6 Egregious Examples of Parent Rio Tinto's Rights Violations Worldwide (ndian Country Today 7/23)
Native Americans protest $6bn Arizona copper mine plan in front of US Capitol (Reuters 7/21)

Related Stories:
San Carlos Apache Tribe clashes with Rep. Gosar after rally (7/23)
San Carlos Apache Tribe lands in DC to rally for sacred site (7/22)
Interview: San Carlos Apache Tribe fights mine at sacred site (7/20)
Ernie Stevens: Support sacred Oak Flat and the Apache Stronghold (07/08)
Company pushing mine at sacred site gives $10K to Apache youth (07/08)
House adds sacred sites amendment to Interior appropriations bill (07/08)
Save Oak Flat caravan exits Arizona for journey to nation's capital (7/7)
Sen. McCain deemed responsible for land swap at sacred Oak Flat (7/2)
Save Oak Flat caravan plans journey to DC to protect sacred site (7/1)
Bill repeals land swap for mine on sacred Apache site in Arizona (06/19)
Supporters open national prayer days to protect sacred places (6/19)
March planned in nation's capitol over mine at sacred Apache site (06/04)
Steve Russell: Take fight over sacred Apache site to higher court (6/3)
Lydia Millet: Selling off sacred Apache land to foreign interests (5/29)
Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick to challenge Sen. John McCain in 2016 race (5/27)
Wendsler Nosie: US government approves theft of sacred land (02/20)
San Carlos Apache Tribe leads 40-mile march for sacred site (02/06)
San Carlos Apache Tribe to hold spiritual march to sacred site (2/3)
Michael Paul Hill: Saving sacred Apache land from exploitation (2/3)
Opinion: Tribal sovereignty ignored when it becomes unprofitable (01/19)
White House responds to petition against mine at sacred site (01/13)
Steven Newcomb: Sacred lands are Christmas gift for mining firm (12/29)
Apache Messenger: Crowd protests copper mine on sacred lands (12/22)
Congress passes bill with mine on sacred Apache land in Arizona (12/15)
Senate heads to final vote on package with mine on sacred land (12/12)
Rep. Gosar won't apologize for calling Native Americans 'wards' (12/11)
Jon Kyl: Land swap for mine on sacred Apache land isn't unusual (12/11)
Terry Rambler: Defense measure raids sacred places for one mine (12/10)
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians join fight against mine deal (12/9)
Great Plains tribes call for removal of land swap from defense bill (12/8)
Senate expected to approve defense bill for mine on sacred lands (12/8)
Opinion: No sacred Apache lands in swap for copper mine project (12/8)
House approves bill to authorize mine on sacred site in Arizona (12/4)
Apache Messenger: Younger generation returns to sacred site (10/10)
San Carlos Apache Tribe testifies against land swap measure (11/21)
Tribal lobbying halts measure for copper mine by sacred site (11/14)