Dear Friends,
Over the past three days, we’ve marched from Des Moines to Ames — slogging through thirty-two miles of the wettest, stormiest September the Iowans on the March have ever witnessed. It’s been an intense experience. Yet our unity of purpose in this historic fight keeps us going.
Beyond the weather, another challenge is that we still need to raise thousands of dollars to finance this March! Thank you to all who’ve donated. If you haven’t, please take a few minutes to help. Click here to donate. We need you!
There is so much to talk about, so many stories and images to share. Regrettably, I haven’t had time to write a daily blog. But our March community is rich with writers, photographers, and videographers.
Here’s live stream from our press conference at the Iowa Utilities Board at the start of the March on Saturday. (Christine Nobiss)
https://www.facebook.com/SeedingSovereignty/videos/306783730126774/
We’re grateful for the hospitality of the Griffieon family at the end of our first day’s march. Because of severe weather and torrential rain, many marchers chose to sleep inside the farm’s machine shed. Some of us slept in our tents. I’ve spent over 200 nights in my tent and have never experienced such fierce rain. Here’s a short video from day two as we set out from the Griffieon farm. (Matthew Lone Bear).
https://www.facebook.com/matthew.l.bear/videos/10156842165052122/
We arrived in Huxley to find the park where we were supposed to camp flooded. On very short notice the kind members of Fjelberg Lutheran Church gave us their entire building to use for the night. Check out Jeff Kisling’s blog for some excellent photos and reflections.
On our third day, marchers stop to reflect and pray at one of three crossings of the Dakota Access Pipeline in Story County, bringing tears to the eyes of some of us. (Fintan Mason)
This March has been difficult. The rain and storms have been relentless. We’ve had other unexpected challenges as well, including the gear truck shelving mysteriously collapsing. Yet we remain strong, united, and committed to building a stronger network of people committed to persevering in the fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline. That fight comes before the Iowa Supreme Court on September 12.
Until then, we march for our water, our land, our rights, and our planet.
Ed Fallon