A group of Native American protesters seeking to protect land that is sacred to them have gathered this morning for a second time to block construction and say prayers for the water, the land, and future generations at Peehee Mu’huh, also known as Thacker Pass.

Thacker Pass, which is known in the Paiute language as Peehee Mu’huh, is sacred to Native American tribes because of two massacres that took place there in the past, as well as a long history of camps, hunting, and gathering. In late February, the Federal Government recognized tribal arguments that Thacker Pass is a “Traditional Cultural District.” But that didn’t stop construction, which began just one day before the Bureau of Land Management made that recognition.

Multiple protestors entered the active construction site this morning, erected a teepee, and began a ceremony. They include Dean Barlese, an elder and spiritual leader from the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe who has diabetes and is confined to a wheelchair.

This action is ongoing. A previous action on April 25, 2023 also blocked construction for the day.