"Loop 202" freeway project was proposed by the government and traffic managers because of growing urban area in Phoenix, USA [1]. However, for Native people and activist Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Pee-Posh (Maricopa) tribes, the demolition of 33 acres of desert peak due to the freeway project represented the loss and desecration of a sacred place. In fact, the mountain is Indigenous cultural and historical heritage, including petroglyphs or Indigenous rock carvings, sometimes referred to as “The Teaching Rocks”, from several hundred to more than 7,000 years of age [1-2]. Moreover, it is place for rituals, ceremonies, or gathering, and collecting medicinal plants [2]. |
Gila River Community against Loop 202 freeway project, South Mountain, Phoenix, USA
Tribal members consider South Mountain Park to be sacred. They fought to preserve the area from the expansion of the Loop 202 freeway since 2012. However, the damaging project has been approved in 2021.
Description:
Basic Data
| Name of conflict: | Gila River Community against Loop 202 freeway project, South Mountain, Phoenix, USA |
| Country: | United States of America |
| State or province: | Arizona |
| Location of conflict: | Phoenix |
| Accuracy of location | HIGH (Local level) |
Source of Conflict
| Type of conflict. 1st level: | Infrastructure and Built Environment |
| Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Urban development conflicts |
| Specific commodities: | Land |
Project Details and Actors
| Project details | The Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway) adds 22 miles of freeway to the existing Phoenix metropolitan transportation system. The freeway now connects the east and west valley in Phoenix. |
| Level of Investment: | 469,398,7222 |
| Type of population | Semi-urban |
| Affected Population: | 14,000 |
| Start of the conflict: | 01/01/2012 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | Connect 202 Partners LLC |
| Relevant government actors: | The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) - construction public company |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Gila river Community: Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Pee-Posh (Maricopa) tribes http://www.gilariver.org/ Resistance to the Freeway https://nosouthmountainfreeway.wordpress.com |
Conflict & Mobilization
| Intensity | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
| Reaction stage | PREVENTIVE resistance (precautionary phase) |
| Groups mobilizing: | Indigenous groups or traditional communities Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Pee-Posh (Maricopa) tribes |
| Forms of mobilization: | Artistic and creative actions (eg guerilla theatre, murals) Development of a network/collective action Land occupation Media based activism/alternative media Public campaigns Street protest/marches Occupation of buildings/public spaces |
Impacts
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Air pollution, Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Noise pollution |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Loss of landscape/sense of place |
Outcome
| Project Status | In operation |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Court decision (failure for environmental justice) |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | No |
| Briefly explain: | Because the mountains where the project was proposed was outside the tribal [legal] boundaries, court decided in favor of the freeway construction. |
Sources & Materials
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| Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network |
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Meta information
| Contributor: | Ksenija Hanacek ICTA-UAB |
| Last update | 14/09/2021 |
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