Protect Chuk Shon, Rio Nuestro NOT Rio Nuevo - Sophie Kazis

Last Saturday, activists and community members gathered at Verdugo Park in Barrio Kruger Lane to oppose the Rio Nuevo Board and its attempt to develop the Chuk Shon land––the sacred birthplace of Tucson––for private profit. This land has a very long history, as Chuk Shon is the longest continuously inhabited land in North America. It has been farmed and inhabited for over 4,000 years––holding within its desert soil the heritage of indigenous folks, Chicano/as, and working class people for years and years. What the Rio Board wants to do is develop and gentrify this land, which would disrespect the land’s heritage, displace the local residents in the surrounding neighborhoods (one of which is Barrio Kruger Lane), and ecologically destroy the land. Tucson activist and Barrio Kruger Lane resident, James Patrick Jordan, explains, “What the Rio Nuevo Board wants is not only displacement, but a new colonialism.”

The Rio Nuevo Board, which is unelected by the public, was appointed by Governor Jan Brewer and Senator Russell Peirce––both advocates of SB1070. The board’s chair, Jodi Bain, is a lawyer for Munger Chadwick and Associates, a firm of NAFTA lawyers. To add insult to injury, John Munger, of Munger Chadwick, has been a loud opponent of Ethnic Studies, a position antithetical with the values and wishes of community members in areas surrounding Chuk Shon. The board also includes SB1070 supporter Jonathan Paton and Rosemont Copper lobbyist and Republican candidate for mayor, Rick Grinnell. This group wants to sue the City of Tucson not only for the ownership of the Chuk Shon land, but also for $47 million––taxpayer’s money nonetheless.

Everything the Rio Nuevo Board stands for goes against the values of those for whom the land is sacred. The board has only its own profiteering interests in mind, and cares nothing of the site’s indigenous, Chicano/a, and working class history. In opposing the Rio Nuevo board, we are also resisting the militarization, criminalization, and dehumanization of the community. As I am a Tucson implant, and cannot claim Chuk Shon’s history as my own, I join in solidarity with those directly affected by the actions of the Rio Nuevo Board in saying: “Our land, our community, and our freedom is NOT for sale! So thank you very much.”

On our Protect Chuk Shon – Rio Nuestro NOT Rio Nuevo Facebook page, you will find this statement:

"Thousands have taken to the streets all over in the Occupy Movement and the world watches with many people answering the calls to take a stand. We in the occupied city of Tucson live under an increased atmosphere of colonized oppression through private prisons, border militarization, deaths in our desert, police brutality, and hate laws like SB1070 and HB2281. These measures that attack our communities, destroy our schools, and ruin our health have been financed by large corporations and banks who have also contributed to the collapse of housing markets and unemployment in Arizona. We in Arizona are motivated to act in support of the Occupy movement, but seek to do this through addressing the need for systemic change in our local community. Fighting against the AZ State appointed and unelected RIO NUEVO Board while making an alternative solution for this ancestral land that respects historical, cultural, and indigenous values is our way to make this local struggle in solidarity with the global fight against capitalist oppression and economic inequality all over the world. JOIN US!!"

The Nov. 12 unity event/teach-in was very successful. The day started with a land beautification/earth-decolonization effort, in which people pulled up buffalo grass at the Chuk Shon site. Buffalo grass in a non-native invasive species that has displaced many native species, like the Mexican poppy. Then there was a blessing on the land, and a procession from Chuk Shon to Verdugo Park across the river, lead by the powerful dancers of Danza Cuauhtémoc. The day proceeded with speakers and teach-ins by indigenous activists, Barrio residents, local musicians, and many other people/groups as well. There was food and festivities, and activities for children. The event concluded with a community discussion to decide on a plan of action and talk about where we want to go next in our fight to reclaim and renew the Chuk Shon land for the community, NOT for the private interests of the Rio Nuevo Board. The event last Saturday was just the beginning of our fight to protect and decolonize Chuk Shon. Rio Nuestro, NOT Rio Nuevo!