Hundreds Flood Berkeley City Council Meeting in Support of the Shellmound

On May 29, hundreds of Berkeley leaders and residents, indigenous leaders and shellmound supporters packed the council chambers after holding a press conference on the steps of city hall in Berkeley.  Representatives of the Confederated Villages of Lisjan, the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, and other tribal nations were present to voice their opposition to any further desecration of the Bay Area’s oldest sacred site.

Vincent Medina, a Muwekma tribal councilman, spoke on behalf of the Medina family clan. “We stand united because we know that this is bigger than any one of us.  Developers ask us,  They say, ‘why?  It’s a parking lot?’  They don’t understand the depth and the history that’s underneath that pavement.” 

“In Chocheyno language there is an expression,” Vincent continued. “It’s ‘the ground had turned to stone but below the world is still alive.’ We know this is a sacred site because we know our direct ancestors.  We know our direct family members. Our direct ancestors are buried there.”

Ohlone leaders continue to call on the public to express support for the protection of the West Berkeley Shellmound site. Please take a moment to call or email City of Berkeley officials such as City Planner Tim Burroughs [tburroughs@cityofberkeley.info], City Manager [manager@cityofberkeley.info] and the City Attorney [attorney@cityofberkeley.info]. 

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