Blue Lake Rancheria Says It Faces Disruption as Pro-Palestine Protesters Target Businesses Over Alleged Law Enforcement Lodging

Press release from Blue Lake Rancheria:

White peace dove in the air with wings open holding an olive branch in its beak.

While Pro-Palestine protesters continue to occupy Cal Poly Humboldt’s campus, they have also turned their attention to the economic enterprises that are operated by the Blue Lake Rancheria, a Federally Recognized Tribe located in Humboldt County, situated in far northwestern California. Protesters claim that some law enforcement officers are staying at the Blue Lake Hotel and have begun to utilize intimidation and harassment tactics against Blue Lake Rancheria (BLR) and their businesses. BLR wants to remind the protesters that it is important to express their concerns peacefully and within the bounds of the law.

There have been unsuccessful attempts to disrupt BLR’s websites, threatening calls made to front desk staff, threats to harm the physical buildings in and around BLR, derogatory comments made to staff and patrons, social media posts naming employees and more.  Understandably, these intimidating tactics have been unsettling to many of BLR’s hospitality staff who are members of Union Local 49 out of Sacramento.

Blue Lake Rancheria assures its patrons that these attempts have not been successful and that BLR has many safeguards in place to protect information and staff and ensure that the customer experience while at the Casino, Hotel, or other commercial operations across the property, will remain safe and enjoyable.
Blue Lake Rancheria recognizes and empathizes with the volatile circumstances between Palestine and Israel and desires a cease fire. They emphasize the importance of civil discourse (the practice of deliberating about matters of public concern in a way that seeks to expand knowledge and promote understanding) and localized peace. Ancestors of BLR Tribal Members experienced the genocide associated with Colonialism such as death, disease, loss of cultural practices, displacement and more, on a deeply personal and cultural level, BLR understands the significance of “Land Back” efforts, but they strongly discourage attempts to disrupt their business operations in the spirit of this movement. It is a direct contradiction to the movement.
Blue Lake Rancheria is committed to securing a better future for its people, protecting its sovereignty and heritage, and building a resilient, healthy economy and environment. They value community and education and work in service to support both. They have a history of progressive initiatives and actions. BLR is a Climate Action Champion that has been recognized by the White House for their innovative efforts to reduce the causes of climate change and has garnered attention and accolades for deploying the first-of-its-kind microgrid to build resilience in response to the climate crisis.
Further, BLR has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars in student scholarships, provides over 40,000 meals annually to Tribal Elders across Humboldt and Trinity Counties, leads restoration and monitoring efforts for the Batuwa’t (Mad River), deploys air quality monitors across the region, supports firefighting efforts across the Western United States, serves as a resilience hub in times of regional disasters, sponsors programs such as Toys for Tots, Pathmakers Program, Humboldt Aquaculture Symposium, SAFE (Smoke, Air, Fire and Energy) Symposium, and more. Over the years, Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal representatives have been instrumental in assisting Cal Poly Humboldt’s Foundation to significantly move their portfolio into green investing and real estate holdings and away from many concerning sectors including direct investment in defense-based companies. This has been a source of pride for both the University as well as BLR.

It is the Tribe’s belief that an orderly resolution is possible between the protesters and Cal Poly Humboldt in a manner that can afford the students of Cal Poly Humboldt the opportunity to complete this year with access to the ceremonies and experiences they deserve while recognizing the complex challenges experienced by so many across the globe. This graduating class has endured more than its share of hardships during their university tenure, including the many impacts associated with COVID-19, death of fellow students, 6.4 Magnitude earthquake of 2022, regional climate crisis effects such as wildfire, air quality, sea level rise and more.

It is for these reasons the Blue Lake Rancheria calls for a swift and peaceful resolution to the protests, an end of the occupation of buildings on the Cal Poly Humboldt campus as well as an immediate end to the harassment and threats of unlawful activity currently being experienced by Blue Lake Rancheria’s Tribal Government and their commercial enterprises.

For more information, contact:
[email protected]
https://www.bluelakerancheria-nsn.gov

Earlier:

• Pro Palestinian Protesters Occupy Siemens Hall at Cal Poly
• From Campus to Courthouse: Pro-Palestinian Protesters Demand Release of Activists After Clashes at Cal Poly Humboldt
• Protestors Continue to Occupy Cal Poly Humboldt Buildings
• Anti-War Protestors Continue Occupation of Cal Poly Humboldt Building: Campus Closure Extended
• Letter From Student Urges Cal Poly Humboldt Leadership to Rethink Campus Closure and Facilitate Peaceful Protests
• Cal Poly Humboldt Extends Campus Closure Amid Ongoing Protests
• Anti-War Protestors Continue Occupation of Cal Poly Humboldt Building: Campus Closure Extended
• Cal Poly Humboldt Responds to Protesters Demands as Students Continue to Occupy Seimens Hall (Almost Five Days)
• Breaking News: Cal Poly Humboldt Announces Campus Closure and Shift to Remote Operations Until Semester’s End
• Safe Exit Offer: Cal Poly Humboldt Provides Opportunity for Occupants to Leave Buildings Without Immediate Arrest
• Sheriff Honsal Visits CPH as Protestors Opt Out of Safe Exit Offer; Siemens Hall Opens
• Cal Poly Humboldt Campus Sealed Off Amid Law Enforcement Buildup and Student Protests
• Student Unrest 54 Years Apart: Cal Poly Humboldt Protests Echo Historic Campus Activism
• ACLU in Humboldt County: Monitoring and Advocating for Rights at Cal Poly Humboldt
• The Convergence: Reports of Large Numbers of Law Enforcement Ramp Up Protest on Cal Poly Humboldt Campus
• Letter to the CSU Administration From Community Leaders Calls for Dialogue