Arizonans’ voices are being heard about the destruction caused by mining.
Photo from community meeting in Sahuarita regarding Hudbay’s planned copper mine.
On April 22, 8-11 a.m., join with other Arizona communities impacted by mining in a civil protest against the manipulation of public opinion by mining corporations and University departments that support the mining industry. The Arizona Mining Reform Coalition (AMRC) is calling the University of Arizona to task for hosting its April 22-24 Mining Social License Summit on Earth Day and for excluding community and Tribal voices.
Key speakers at the event include Faraday/Redhawk and one of their major financial backers, the Lundin Group. The peaceful outdoor protest is supported by partners Patagonia Area Resource Alliance, Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Center for Biological Diversity, LSPWA, and Concerned Citizens and Retired Miners Coalition.
The University’s Summit focuses on building public buy-in for mining, while cutting out those who bear the greatest social and environmental costs from the boom-and-bust cycles of mining—namely, affected communities and Tribal nations, as well as conservation groups working to protect and preserve Arizona’s water resources, its ecological integrity, and the rich cultural heritage of indigenous people.
Concerned citizens from our communities are welcome to join a civil demonstration organized by AMRC, Tuesday, April 22 from 8-11 a.m., outside the Tucson Marriott University Park (where the Summit will be held). Other Arizona communities impacted by mining from Patagonia, Superior, and Tucson will be present. Participants are asked to be respectful of others, including summit attendees and members of law enforcement. Sign-making supplies will be available, but feel free to bring your own.
Logistics:
Demonstrators will meet up on the east side of 2nd Street and Euclid Ave. Groups may also gather in front of the Marriott and on the corner of 2nd Street and Park.
The nearby Main Gate Parking Garage is located at 926 Euclid. For a list of available garage spaces, click here. For a map of other area parking garages, click here.
There is also a limited amount of metered street parking on Tyndall Ave. and 1st Street, as well as free parking at Pima Community College’s Downtown Campus, from which a bus or streetcar can be taken to Speedway and Park Ave.
What is social license? In the mining industry, a "social license to operate" (SLO) refers to the level of acceptance and approval a mining operation receives from local communities and stakeholders. It's essentially an informal social contract where a mining company gains trust and legitimacy in the eyes of the community, allowing it to continue operations without significant opposition.
Contact us if you have any questions.