Growing up in the heart of the San Jose area, I've seen firsthand the struggles that the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe faces. As a student, it has been inspiring to see the interest the youth community has taken in the plight of the Muwekma Ohlone. There are over 120+ students in the Bay Area working to support the tribe, but at the end of the day its up to our local legislators such as Ro Khanna, Eric Swalwell, Adam Grey, and more. It's a profound injustice that stems from an historical oversight—a census error that wrongly labeled them as extinct. This misclassification has perpetuated a cycle of poverty, undermining their legitimate claim to federal recognition and access to indispensable resources.

Being denied federal recognition has far-reaching implications. The tribe faces relentless gentrification, as their voices are muted by political powers swayed by external influences, including the gambling industry lobbyists who oppose their cause. This systemic inequity has obstructed the community's access to cultural heritage sites, vital educational programs, and restoration of their ancestors' remains.

Without federal recognition, the Muwekma Ohlone are excluded from assistance programs that are offered to other tribes, such as paid tuition assistance in the University of California system, which is crucial for nurturing potential and providing new opportunities for future generations.

Join us in our fight for justice. Stand in solidarity with the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe and demand their rightful place in the pages of history and the legal framework of our nation. Sign this petition today and help us make a powerful statement that justice and truth must prevail over errors and external influences. Let's give the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe their deserved acknowledgment and rights to pursue brighter futures.