Author Archives: Emma Schmit

Jury finds two protesters guilty of trespass during pipeline construction

October 24, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: http://thegraphic-advocate.com/content/jury-finds-two-protesters-guilty-trespass-during-pipeline-construction Coverage by The Graphic-Advocate, Rockwell City, Iowa, October 24, 2017 A six-person jury deliberated more than two hours Thursday evening before finding a Rockwell City woman and an Omaha man guilty of trespassing on a pipeline construction easement. Emma Schmit, of Rockwell City, and Tosun Mahmud Fitil, of Omaha, said they were disappointed with the verdict, which their attorney plans to appeal. “This is a clear case of the 1 percent versus the 99 percent,” Schmit said, referring to descriptions Continue reading →

Pipeline protester convicted of trespassing

October 4, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: http://thegraphic-advocate.com/content/pipeline-protester-convicted-trespassing Coverage by The Graphic-Advocate, Rockwell City, Iowa, October, 4, 2017 A second person who was arrested last fall for protesting the Dakota Access pipeline has been convicted of trespassing on the work site. A jury convicted Kriss Wells, 65, of Minneapolis, on the misdemeanor charge after a brief deliberation. Five witnesses, including Wells, took the stand in the trial – three were law enforcement officers who testified about how Wells stepped on to the disturbed soil within Dakota Access pipeline’s Continue reading →

Anti-pipeline activists across the country unite to #StopETP

September 11, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: www.wagingnonviolence.org/2017/09/anti-pipeline-activists-stopetp-energy-transfer-partners/ Coverage by Waging Non-Violence, September 11, 2017 The company behind the Dakota Access pipeline and many other damaging fossil fuel projects — Energy Transfer Partners — was the focus of nearly 20 actions spanning 10 U.S. states last week. The #StopETP protests, which took place on Friday and Saturday, included a flotilla on a Louisiana bayou, a blockade of pipeline construction equipment in Pennsylvania and a demonstration outside the Texas home of CEO Kelcy Warren. “It’s been impressive to see Continue reading →

Sierra Club, Bold, vandals all named in ETP lawsuit

August 23, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: www.messengernews.net/news/local-news/2017/08/sierra-club-bold-vandals-all-named-in-etp-lawsuit/ Coverage by The Fort Dodge Messenger, Fort Dodge, Iowa, August 23, 2017 The Sierra Club is one of several environmental groups named in a lawsuit filed Tuesday by Energy Transfer Partners, the firm that developed the Dakota Access pipeline that crosses Iowa. However, while the club is listed as part of an alleged “criminal enterprise” ETP says worked against it, it’s not named as a defendant in the suit. “Sierra Club is not named as a party defendant, just as Continue reading →

Iowa protest groups accused in federal lawsuit by Dakota Access pipeline developer

August 22, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2017/08/22/dakota-access-pipeline-federal-lawsuit-iowa-groups/590538001/ Coverage by The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, August 22, 2017 The developer of the Dakota Access pipeline has filed a sweeping federal lawsuit that includes allegations of participation in a criminal enterprise against three Iowa activist groups, including the Sierra Club, Bold Iowa, and Mississippi Stand. Energy Transfer Partners of Dallas, Texas, listed the lawsuit’s defendants as Greenpeace International, Earth First!, BankTrack, and other organizations and individuals. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in North Dakota and seeks damages of not less than $1 billion. Continue reading →

Activists: $1M rally insurance policy puts First Amendment rights ‘in peril’

August 15, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: http://www.kcci.com/article/activists-oppose-rule-mandating-dollar1m-insurance-for-rallies/12014028 Coverage by KCCI, Des Moines, Iowa, August 15, 2017 Activists in Des Moines are pushing back against a rule by the Iowa Department of Administrative Services requiring groups to obtain a $1 million insurance policy before rallying at the Statehouse. Groups are afraid that if monetary restrictions are put on who can rally at the Statehouse, smaller groups with important messages will get lost. “If they really want to push this there’s going to be a huge fight on their Continue reading →

Environmentalist Ed Fallon weighs in on EPA

August 13, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original video: whotv.com/2017/08/13/the-insiders-august-13th-edition-environmentalist-ed-fallon-weighs-in-on-epa/ Coverage by WHO, Des Moines, Iowa, August 13, 2017 DES MOINES, Iowa — Scott Pruitt’s EPA plans have their critics, and environmentalists question whether he’ll put interests and profits for big corporations over Mother Nature. Dave Price discusses this topic with Ed Fallon, the former Democratic state legislator and state director of Bold Iowa.

Dakota Access Pipeline protester found guilty: Court takes judicial notice of DNR position on climate change

July 7, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: http://www.messengernews.net/news/local-news/2017/07/dakota-access-pipeline-protester-found-guilty/ Coverage by The Fort Dodge Messenger, Fort Dodge, Iowa, July 7, 2017 A pipeline protester has been found guilty of trespassing after a jury trial in Calhoun County Thursday. Heather Pearson, of Logan, was one of the protesters who entered land being worked on by Dakota Access LLC on Oct. 29, 2016, as the company was building an oil pipeline across four states, including Iowa. Although she admitted being on the land, Pearson and her defense attorneys claimed she was Continue reading →

Dakota Access Pipeline opponents to rally Saturday at Iowa State Capitol

June 29, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: http://wnax.com/news/180081-dakota-access-pipeline-opponents-to-rally-saturday-at-iowa-state-capital/ Coverage by WNAX, Yankton, South Dakota, June 29, 2017 Dakota Access Pipeline opponents are gearing up for rally in Des Moines on Saturday. The event is co sponsored by BOLD Iowa and the Indigenous Iowa Network. BOLD Iowa Executive Director Ed Fallon says while a recent North Dakota Judge’s decision stopped movement of the pipeline there, other moves to oppose the project are continuing including a call to action at the rally. He says eminent domain concerns of Iowa landowners Continue reading →

Dakota Access Pipeline reprimanded by Iowa regulators for lack of liability insurance

June 12, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/06/12/dakota-access-pipeline-failed-to-provide-iowa-regulators-proof-25-million-liability-insurance/388651001/ Coverage by The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, June 12, 2017 The Iowa Utilities Board has reprimanded the Dakota Access Pipeline for failing to comply with a state order to show that at least $25 million in general liability insurance is in place to protect the public from possible oil leaks and spills. A Dakota Access spokeswoman said over the weekend  the company has the required insurance in hand. But a pipeline opponent complained Monday that intervention by Iowa regulators should not have been needed Continue reading →