Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

"STOP THE DESECRATION! 90+ burials (at present) being disturbed in the development of the Mexican Cultural Center at LA Plaza/Olvera St. They have attempted to not follow the law at the discovery of remains. Please support and help - call, write letters, emails. Voice your disgust...Tongva people tired and in pain." - Tongva Elder

The developer is denying the burials are Native; however, one of them includes an obsidian blade and beads.

Cindi Alvitre further commented (via Angela Mooney D'Arcy):

"We have some very sad news...there is ongoing desecration of graves going on at the L. A. Plaza (Olvera Street)...it never f****in ends. As the New Mexican cultural center is being put in our relatives are being literally yanked out of the ground! We seek support!!

"The Native American Heritage Commission has been involved in this with little cooperation from the Los Angeles County Coroner. The forensic anthropologist claims that these are no Indian burials, although burial goods reveal otherwise--close to 100 burials impacted to date!!!

"...it's about respect of all people. This cemetery is not limited just to native people, and destroying a massive cemetery in a historic district to put in a fountain for a NEW cultural institute is obscene."

Call for action: From AIM Santa Barbara: Your VOICE HAS POWER- It only takes 5 minutes to make a phone call & save a sacred site- and piss off the people that need to put in check- STOP THE DESECRATION. Call- Gloria Molina office, (213)- 974-4111-or email molina@bos.lacounty.gov or call the Mayor Villaraigosa, 213 978-0600

More: Statement of Facts/Call to Action Re: Burial Site by Members of the Gabrielino (Tongva) Communityy| | American Indian Airwaves (1-11-11)

Update: "GOOD NEWS!!! LA Plaza has stopped further work at site where remains disturbed. Tongva woman, Desiree Martinez provided documentation of the burials that we were told did not exist, and that proved that Native Americans were in that cemetery." -- Gloria Arellanes, Tongva Elder

February 1, 2011: Despite the cessation of excavating, Cindi Alvitre explains why the issue is far from over: American Indian Airwaves.

Update (June 2012): The remains were finally reburied at that site in April of this year. Desiree Martinez, a Tongva involved in this issue, was upset by how the ancestors were treated prior to reburial. Many of them were wrapped in toilet paper or newspaper (and consequently parts were separated and had to be reassembled prior to reburial) or not fully removed, left in place, and covered with tarps. She described this disrespect as "the most painful experience" she has endured.