Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI - A rally was held at Peabody Coal Headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday April 3, in conjuntion with Big Mountain Mobilization 2001. That was where Traditional Hopi and Navajo addressed Lehman Brothers Holding in New York City (Lehman is the parent company of Peabody Group which recently announced a proposed IPO). Activists held a rally to voice concerns regarding the relocation of traditional Dineh (Navajo) in the former Joint Use Area.

The U.S. Government has spent more than $560 million to relocate 10,000 native people. Traditional Hopi and Navajo believe that Big Mountain is sacred land and have long spoken out against the relocation and the mineral exploitation they believe to be linked to the relocation and livestock impoundment.

Tom Bedonie, a traditional Dineh (Navajo), spokesman from Big Mountain, Arizona and six local activists met with a Peabody officer and with the general counsel for the corporation. The group presented letters from Traditional Dineh in the "Former Joint Use Area and petitions from supporters containing hundreds of signatures gathered during the last week in St. Louis area. The letters asked Peabody to help stop the relocation, cease using the water from the "N" aquifer for the coal slurry pipeline and consider the effects of mining on future generations.

The activists believe that Black Mesa Mine's pollution to the surrounding air, land and water is enormous and would not be tolerated in a more affluent less marginalized community. The meeting lasted for approzimately 2 hours.

Group spokesperson, Byron Clemens said, "I appreciate Peabody's taking talking to us. I hope this can be the beginning of a dialogue."

Local activist David Silverhawk addressed the rally and said the talks were "a positive step." Tom Bedonie said, "We will wait and see if they listened."

Byron Clemens can be contacted by phone, 314-725-9965.