by Christopher Sanchez
Daily Lobo
UNM student Tobias Major did not go the extra mile to protest the extension of Paseo Del Norte - he went eight miles.
Major and ten students walked from UNM to Pubelo Monta§o to show their opposition to the extension of Paseo Del Norte, which will cross over a portion of the Petroglyph National Monument.
At Pueblo Monta§o, just east of Coors Boulevard, Major and his peers assembled with about 200 protesters to participate in the March to Give Homage to the Petroglyphs. The march began at Pubelo Monta§o and ended at the future site of Paseo Del Norte's extension.
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In November 2004, Albuquerque voters approved a bond package that included the extension of Paseo Del Norte by 1.6 miles through portions of the national monument.
The march was a good chance to express the importance of the monument, Major said. He said the monument is sacred to its people, and building a road across it is equivalent to bulldozing the Vatican.
"The city thinks they are just a bunch of rocks they could build a road over," he said.
According to the National Park Service Web site, the national monument stretches 17 miles along the West Mesa of Albuquerque and is more than 12,000 years old. There are an estimated 25,000 images carved by American Indians and Spanish settlers, the Web site states.
The American-Indian community did not have its voice heard at the time of the proposed bond, said Laurie Weahkee, executive director of the Sacred Alliance for Grass Roots Equality Council.
"There was a lot of falsehood in terms of seeking tribal comment," she said.
Weahkee, an organizer of the march, said tribes did not have funds to advertise against the bond so they were not able to educate the community.
She said even if they only destroy a few of the petroglyphs, the road would still go over sacred land. Many people believe there are more petroglyphs and other cultural artifacts buried beneath the site, she said.
Not everyone was opposed to the extension of Paseo Del Norte. Vicky Dalby, a resident near the road, said she has to deal with traffic every day, and the extension is needed even if it goes through the monument.
"It's just a part of progress," she said. "The West Side needs more access."
She said the protesters were trying to separate the city.
"They're trying to keep the west from going to the east," she said.
UNM student Roxanne Olguin said no one has the right to take the petroglyphs away from the people of Albuquerque.
"They are a recording of history for the Pueblo people," she said. "You can't just get rid of them because they have been here before Rio Rancho was developed."
Olguin, an American Indian, said it was nice to see a diverse group of people marching.
"We need to support each other no matter who we are or what culture we are all from," she said.
Weahkee said there was a good turnout, but the march will not stop the construction.
"We feel we've done everything we can in a peaceful manner," she said.
The $8.7 million road extension is expected to begin in December.
