Blanding Antiquities Raid Response Date: Wednesday, July 15 @ 08:42:58 Topic City Council The following are a compilation of the Mayor’s responses to media, to the federal government and to elected officials – relating to the antiquities raid in Blanding on June 10, 2009. • It is unacceptable that those conducting the raid should excuse their strong-armed tactics as “following protocols.” The invading officers did not take the time during their 2 ½ year investigation to learn the nature of the community. Blanding is not a white supremacist militia camp, which is how we were treated. • It is being alleged that the level of force used was not allowable under prevailing rules of engagement, and it was necessary to “presume” there were drug violations inherent within the antiquities trafficking. If true, such a subterfuge would be an abuse of power. • Blanding is not a racially divided community. We are a racially diverse community whose character is captured by the phrase inscribed above the traditional healing facility in front of our new Blue Mountain Hospital – “As One with Pure Hearts.” Our new hospital symbolizes the partnership between our several communities. • The majority of our citizens are not guilty of the crimes alleged against some of our citizens. To the extent that there are violations of the Antiquities Act, the least effective way to change behavior is to launch a military-style strike against our community every twenty plus years. The way to bring about long-term change is through education. A good first step in that regard would be to repatriate to the Edge of the Cedars Museum all antiquities legally trafficked out of San Juan County and held in storage at universities and museums around the world. These need to be returned with a parallel investment in developing curricula. • The federal government’s interest in enforcing the law is selective. A deaf ear has been turned to the City’s request for assistance in dealing with the flow of illegals through our community. In my opinion a much stronger case can be made that the trafficking in illegals is tied to drug trafficking, than antiquities trafficking is tied to it. In the national debate it is too risky for politicians to offend large voting blocs. Blanding on the other hand was a politically inconsequential target. This article comes from Blanding City http://www.blanding-ut.gov/ The URL for this story is: http://www.blanding-ut.gov/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=26