Author Archives: Shari Hrdina

The Intersection of the Longest Climate March and Black Lives Matter

I met Ed Fallon when we were both in our early 20s. I was looking for a third roommate in my run-down, three-story, sloped-floor apartment in Somerville, Massachusetts, on the border of Cambridge. He was an itinerant musician, believer in all causes to save our planet, and general nice guy. We campaigned against nuclear power together, and I followed his trajectory as he grew from farming his family property in Ireland, to winning a seat in the Iowa house of representatives, to hosting a radio talk-show and, in the past few years, to organizing the longest climate-change march in history.

Tom Steyer

Monday, January 13, 2020 Home of Channing Dutton West Des Moines, Iowa Bird Dogs: Kathy Byrnes and Ed Fallon Bold Iowa supporter and long-time climate activist, Channing Dutton, hosted a meet-and-greet event for Tom Steyer at his house. Climate bird dogs Kathy Byrnes and Ed Fallon attended, along with about 75 other people. See video below as Kathy asks Steyer a question about farmers and the climate crisis. ******* Sunday, January 5, 2020 Newton Bird Dogs: Shaun Ahern Bold Iowa Climate Bird Dog Shaun Ahern Continue reading →

Climate Refugee Penguins Cut Down by Fossil Fuel Reaper

With the recent collapse of the second largest Emperor Penguin colony, Bold Iowa’s Climate Refugee Penguins greeted presidential candidates at the entrance to the Polk County Steak Fry with a poignant message about the tragedy of extinction in the New Climate Era. Penguins danced to R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World as We Know It” as the Fossil Fuel Reaper cut them down one by one with his sickle. The Reaper then began to take out humans, with the message that climate change threatens all of us with extinction.

Protesters Arrested Outside Republican Fundraiser Attended by Trump

We Are Iowa TV Channel 5 Excerpt: Those arrested are from a group called “Bold Iowa” that is protesting the denial of climate change. West Des Moines police say the group marched onto private property at Hy-Vee’s corporate offices. Officers asked them to leave and the five that didn’t were taken into custody. Ed Fallon, the director of Bold Iowa, explained the group’s mission. “None of us want to go to jail,” said Fallon. “But given the severity of what scientists are telling us about Continue reading →

5 protesters arrested outside Trump fundraiser in central Iowa

Des Moines Register Excerpt: “None of us want to go to jail,” said Ed Fallon, the group’s director and a longtime liberal activist who was one of those arrested Tuesday. “But given the severity of what scientists are telling us about the climate crisis, we feel it’s important to try to stop this fundraising event from happening.” “We’re justified for being here because of climate change,” Kathy Byrnes, 57, told the captain. “We’re here for the children — your children … and the children of Continue reading →

Protesters, supporters wait for Trump outside WDM fundraiser

KCCI Channel 8, Des Moines Excerpt: A contingent from the group Bold Iowa held a sign reading, “Climate denier in the White House scare the s— outta you? It does us.” West Des Moines police later arrested the diaper-clad protesters on trespassing charges after they went on the property. Members of Bold Iowa said getting the message out was worth the possibility of being arrested. Opponents of the president said they want their voices heard. “Climate change is the number one issue,” Clive resident Susan Pohl Continue reading →

With so many candidates here, Cedar Rapids becomes epicenter for causes

Sioux City Journal Excerpt: Greenpeace was working with Bold Iowa, a group also fighting for climate change. “Climate has already gone from not on the radar to being the No. 1 concern of Iowa caucusgoers,” Director Ed Fallon said. “We just need to keep pushing and pushing and pushing.” Shortly after an interview, Fallon chased after New York Sen. Kristin Gillibrand to ask about her climate stance. Continue reading →