A rally outside the Capitol Wednesday night drew activists and citizens to protest proposed mining legislation which would limit regulations and streamline the process for building sand mines in the state.

There was also a strong presence at the rally from several Native American tribes from Wisconsin, including the Bad River Band and Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the Sakaogon Mole Lake Community.

Bad River tribe member Joe Rose spoke at the protest, giving a history of the Native American population in Wisconsin and saying the legislation threatens the natural environment of the state.

“[At one time] native leaders were considered servants of the people, rather than absolute monarchs, and if they voted against the wishes of the people, then they could be recalled,” Rose said.

Rose said the resources his people discovered hundreds of years ago would be threatened by the mine in the Penokee Hills, and that it simply could not happen.

Wisconsin Secretary of State Doug La Follette also spoke against the bill at the event, as well as the consequences that arose from past mining projects in the state.

La Follette, who is the founder of the environmental advocacy group Clean Wisconsin, said the currently abandoned mine in Ladysmith, Wis., a project originally started in the 1990s, is now polluting the water in the Ladysmith area.

“The state of our state is not good,” La Follette said. “One of the reasons for that is the assault on our environment, of which this mining proposal is one of the biggest.”

George Meyer, former director of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, said the current mining law in Wisconsin would not have allowed a company to mine in the Penokee Range, due to the surrounding waters, Indian reservation and state park.

“This bill totally violates our state constitution, and it’s going to harm our waterways,” Meyer said.

Glenn Reynolds, attorney for the Sakaogon Chippewa Community, said mining companies in Wisconsin often try to argue for the economic benefits of opening mines.

He said many mining companies argue they create jobs and boost the economy in areas that need the assistance.

Many mines are not safe, with 94 percent causing pollution, despite mining companies promising they would not, Reynolds said.

Reynolds said the mine proposed for the Penokee Hills would be 1,000 to 1,500 feet deep, and would extend up to Blue Mound State Park.

“Once that hole is dug, and once those wetlands are gone, and the streams are running backwards into a cesspool of pollution, there’s no way to reverse it,” Reynolds said.

The turnout at the rally extended to citizens and students as well as those directly involved with the mining bill.

University of Wisconsin student Girard Gorelick said he came to the rally because he believes it is extremely important to protect the environment.

“I think it goes beyond political boundaries, and it’s a human issue and a world issue,” Gorelick said. “It’s not just happening in Wisconsin, it’s happening all over the world and this is just one way to chip in.”

The Assembly will vote on the bill today.