The fight to protect a sacred site from development is once again back in court as defenders of Oak Flat try to stop a huge copper mine on Apache territory.

The Biden administration is facing a major test of its commitment to sacred sites as citizens of the San Carlos Apache Tribe head to court to protect one of their most important places.

A federal judge is refusing to halt to the proposed Resolution Copper Mine at Oak Flat in Arizona, on land sacred to the Apache people.

“This is what this fight for Oak Flat is revealing,” said Wendsler Nosie Sr. of the Apache Stronghold. “Why can’t all Americans know they’ve met an angel at a holy place?”