In the spring of 1975, a 1,500-year-old Indigenous cemetery on Lee Road in Watsonville, California, was threatened by a development project. Members of the local Native American community with ties to this sacred site occupied the construction site in protest of the development. The local Sheriff called upon the newly formed well-armed County SWAT force, leading to an armed confrontation. They were quickly joined by allies, including representatives from the San Jose AIM office, local Vietnam Veterans against the War / Winter Soldiers, and representatives from the Indigenous run Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Association from Humboldt County. Fortunately, a compromise was made and violence was averted. This incident is one piece of a larger book project looking at similar grass roots, Indigenous led movements to protect sacred spaces in California in the 1970s and early 80s.

Martin Rizzo-Martinez is an Assistant Professor in the Film & Digital Media department at UCSC. He is a historian and media maker, author of We are not Animals, which explores the history of Indigenous peoples of the Santa Cruz area, as well as co-producer of the podcast Challenging Colonialism. He has worked closely and collaboratively with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, and other local Tribes.

Winter 2026 COLLOQUIUM SERIES

THE CENTER FOR CULTURAL STUDIES hosts a weekly Wednesday colloquium featuring work-in-progress by faculty & visitors. We are pleased to announce our Winter 2026 Series. Sessions begin promptly at 12:15 PM and end at 1:30 PM (PST) in Humanities Building 1, Room 210.

Staff assistance is provided by The Humanities Institute.