{"id":2339870,"date":"2024-09-11T17:02:01","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T21:02:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/apache-group-asks-supreme-court-to-take-case-with-broader-implications-for-religious-freedoms-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-09-11T17:06:34","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T21:06:34","slug":"apache-group-asks-supreme-court-to-take-case-with-broader-implications-for-religious-freedoms-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/apache-group-asks-supreme-court-to-take-case-with-broader-implications-for-religious-freedoms-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Apache group asks Supreme Court to take case with broader implications for religious freedoms &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">34<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fapache-group-asks-supreme-court-to-take-case-with-broader-implications-for-religious-freedoms-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2339870&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Apache Stronghold, a Native American coalition from Arizona, is\u2062 urging the Supreme Court\u200d to hear their case concerning Oak Flat, a\u200c sacred site that is under threat from a\u2062 mining \u200dproject. The Apache \u2064argue that the planned transfer of this land to Resolution Copper, a mining company, would violate their religious rights as they have worshipped there for generations. \u2063Despite previous federal protections and the site&#8217;s significance, a 2014 legislative action allowed the transfer,\u2063 leading to the \u200dcurrent \u2062legal battle.<\/p>\n<p>Following a recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, which denied further hearing of the case, supporters held a prayer circle outside the Supreme Court, hoping to influence the justices to take on this matter. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty represents the Apache, emphasizing that destroying such \u200ba revered site equates to a \u2064burden on their religious practices. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/supreme-court-mulling-briefs-from-trump-allies-and-ex-officials-in-immunity-bid\/\" title=\"Supreme Court reviewing requests for immunity from Trump allies and former officials in pending cases\">case raises critical questions<\/a> about the application\u200b of the\u200d Religious Freedom \u2064Restoration Act and could set significant precedents for indigenous and religious rights regarding sacred lands.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Apache group asks Supreme Court to take case with broader implications for religious freedoms<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1757012\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Members and supporters of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/native-americans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Native American<\/a> coalition from Arizona gathered outside the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/supreme-court\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Supreme Court<\/a> on Wednesday to hold a prayer circle, hoping to compel the justices to hear their case, which could have significant implications for religious freedom in the United States.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The case, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.becketlaw.org\/case\/apache-stronghold-v-united-states\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Apache Stronghold v. United States\">Apache Stronghold v. United States<\/a><\/em>, centers on Oak Flat, a sacred site in Arizona where the Apache people have worshipped for generations. The land is currently at risk of being transferred to a foreign mining company, which plans to destroy it in search of copper, a move the Apache argue would violate their religious rights.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Supporters of the Apache Stronghold case to protect Oak Flat gather outside the Supreme Court on Sept. 11, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Kaelan Deese)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Oak Flat has been protected by the federal government for decades, allowing the Apache to conduct their religious ceremonies there. However, a land transfer deal in 2014, facilitated through a last-minute legislative rider, opened the door for Resolution Copper, a mining company jointly owned by companies based in Australia and the United Kingdom, to take ownership of the land and start mining operations. The company&rsquo;s plan would create a massive crater, effectively destroying the sacred site.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The government&rsquo;s position in the case is it can do whatever it wants on what&rsquo;s now federal land,&rdquo; said Luke Goodrich, senior counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which is representing Apache Stronghold.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;And as long as it&rsquo;s government land, nobody can say a word about it,&rdquo; Goodrich added.<\/p>\n<p>The legal battle has been ongoing, and most recently, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit denied the Apache&rsquo;s request for a full hearing by the court&rsquo;s 29-judge panel. Five judges dissented, leading Apache Stronghold to turn to the Supreme Court as its last hope.<\/p>\n<p>As part of an effort to convince the Supreme Court to take up this case, around 100 activists in opposition to the copper mine plan gathered outside the building in Washington, D.C., to say a prayer just before attorneys with Becket filed the petition.<\/p>\n<p>Apache Stronghold, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/2000-mules-offers-bold-claims-about-the-2020-election\/\" title=\"\u20182000 Mules\u2019 Offers Bold Claims About the 2020 Election\">nonprofit organization based<\/a> in San Carlos, Arizona, has led the legal and grassroots battle to save Oak Flat. The group began a prayer journey across the country on July 12, visiting religious sites and gathering support for its cause. This journey culminated in Washington, D.C., outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday, where it hoped its prayers and demonstration would move the justices to hear its case.<\/p>\n<p>Mark Rienzi, CEO of the Becket Fund, recently emphasized during a press call the importance of Oak Flat to the Apache people, comparing it to a cathedral or holy site.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It is outrageous for any court to claim that blowing up a sacred site does not burden the religion of the Apaches,&rdquo; Rienzi said, criticizing the lower court rulings. <\/p>\n<p>He pointed out that under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, the courts should weigh whether the government has a compelling reason to destroy the site, but instead, they have ruled that it presents no burden at all.<\/p>\n<p>If the Supreme Court decides to hear the case, it could set a precedent for claims under RFRA, particularly for indigenous groups or religious groups seeking to protect their lands or worship sites.<\/p>\n<p>In <em>Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Ass&rsquo;n<\/em> (1988), the Supreme Court ruled that the Free Exercise Clause does not grant religious groups the legal authority to prevent government activities related to sacred sites. This decision came during a period when, following <em>Sherbert v. Verner<\/em> but before <em>Employment Division v. Smith<\/em>, the high court interpreted the Free Exercise Clause as offering a presumptive right to religious exemptions from generally applicable laws. However, a long-standing debate remains over whether RFRA should be interpreted as upholding the principles established in <em>Lyng<\/em> or as overturning them, along with other rulings from the <em>Sherbert<\/em> era.<\/p>\n<p>Becket&rsquo;s CEO said he believes the case will challenge how RFRA is applied in situations where religious rights clash with economic and governmental interests.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s outrageous, frankly, for the federal government to claim, or any judges to claim, that it is not a burden on the religion of the Apaches to blow up their sacred site,&rdquo; Rienzi said.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Supreme Court typically receives thousands of petitions every year, and in recent years, it has taken up an average of around 60 cases each term.<\/p>\n<p>However, the justices have shown an interest in taking more religious liberty cases and have ruled in favor of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/religious-freedom-advocates-celebrate-after-scotus-sides-with-catholic-group-on-gay-couple-foster-parents\/\" title=\"Religious Freedom Advocates Celebrate After SCOTUS Sides With Catholic Group On Gay Couple Foster Parents\">religious freedom advocates<\/a> in disputes surrounding a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2878752\/supreme-court-hands-first-amendment-victory-to-praying-football-coach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>public school football coach praying<\/a> at the mid-field and a former U.S. Postal Service worker who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2574332\/supreme-court-sides-with-christian-ex-mailman-who-sought-to-avoid-sunday-shifts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>faced pushback from his former employer<\/a> over his objections to working on Sundays.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1757012\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1757012\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Apache group is urging the Supreme Court to consider a case that could have far-reaching effects on religious freedoms. On Wednesday, members and supporters of a Native American coalition from Arizona assembled outside the Supreme Court for a prayer circle, aiming to persuade the justices to take up their case. This case, Apache Stronghold v. United States, revolves around Oak Flat, a sacred site in Arizona where the Apache have practiced their faith for generations. The land is currently threatened by plans from a foreign mining company that intends to destroy it in search of copper, which the Apache argue infringes upon their religious rights.<\/p>\n<p>For decades, Oak Flat has been federally protected, allowing the Apache people to perform their religious ceremonies there. However, a 2014 land transfer deal\u2014passed through last-minute legislative measures\u2014opened up ownership of this land to Resolution Copper, a mining company owned by Australian and British firms. Their proposed operations would create an enormous crater at Oak Flat, effectively obliterating this sacred site.<\/p>\n<p>Luke Goodrich from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty stated that the government&#8217;s stance is that it can act freely on what is now federal land without regard for objections. The ongoing legal struggle recently saw the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit deny an appeal from the Apache community for an extensive hearing by its full panel of judges; five judges dissented in this decision.<\/p>\n<p>In hopes of persuading the Supreme Court to hear their case as a final recourse, approximately 100 activists opposed to mining at Oak Flat gathered outside in Washington D.C., praying just before Becket attorneys filed their petition. The nonprofit organization Apache Stronghold has spearheaded both legal efforts and grassroots campaigns aimed at preserving Oak Flat since July 12 when they began traveling across America visiting various religious sites and rallying support.<\/p>\n<p>Mark Rienzi from Becket emphasized how crucial Oak Flat is to Apache spirituality by likening it to a cathedral or holy place and criticized lower court decisions claiming destruction wouldn&#8217;t burden their religion under current laws like RFRA (Religious Freedom Restoration Act). He argued that courts should assess whether there\u2019s compelling justification for destroying such sites but noted they ruled otherwise instead.<\/p>\n<p>If accepted by the Supreme Court, this case could establish important precedents regarding RFRA claims made by indigenous or other religious groups seeking protection over sacred lands or worship locations\u2014a significant issue given past rulings like Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Association (1988), which limited protections under Free Exercise Clause concerning government actions affecting sacred areas.<\/p>\n<p>Rienzi expressed outrage over any assertion that demolishing such sites does not impact Indigenous beliefs while highlighting how RFRA&#8217;s application may be challenged when economic interests conflict with religious rights.<\/p>\n<p>The Supreme Court typically reviews thousands of petitions annually but has shown increasing interest in cases related to religious liberty recently favoring advocates involved in disputes about public expressions of faith<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2339871,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MixCollage-11-Sep-2024-02-50-PM-671.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[25367,32285,40675,32275],"class_list":["post-2339870","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-apache","tag-legal-case","tag-religious-freedoms","tag-supreme-court"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MixCollage-11-Sep-2024-02-50-PM-671.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2339870","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2339870"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2339870\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2339871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2339870"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2339870"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2339870"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}