Pipeline Opponents to Gov Reynolds: Appoint New IUB Member

June 14, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1:00 p.m. CT, June 14, 2017 Contact: Ed Fallon at 515-238-6404 or [email protected] Contact: Christine Nobiss at 319-331-8034 or [email protected] Pipeline Opponents to Gov Reynolds: Appoint New IUB Member July 1 action at the State Capitol announced Des Moines, Iowa — In light of Iowa Utilities Board member Richard W. Lozier, Jr.’s statement today that he is recusing himself from any votes or even discussion of the Dakota Access pipeline, Bold Iowa and Indigenous Iowa called on Governor Kim Reynolds to remove Continue reading →

DAPL reprimanded for failure to file detail on insurance

June 9, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4:00 p.m. CT, June 9, 2017 Contact: Ed Fallon: 515-238-6404, or [email protected] DAPL reprimanded for failure to file detail on insurance Des Moines, Iowa — Bold Iowa responded today to the order released this afternoon by the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) regarding Dakota Access’ failure to file “accurate, up-to-date information regarding the insurance for this pipeline,” according to the IUB’s order. Read the complete IUB order here. “At first, Dakota Access tried to get out of any meaningful insurance policy whatsoever,” pointed Continue reading →

Spies Validate Our Success

May 31, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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If you spend 20 minutes reading anything this week, let it be this incredible story by The Intercept. In an age when independent investigative journalism is rare and threats against our liberty are growing, this is a must read. The story reveals how a “shadowy international mercenary and security firm known as TigerSwan targeted the movement opposed to the Dakota Access Pipeline with military-style counterterrorism measures”. Spying and infiltration focused on pipeline opponents mostly in North Dakota and Iowa. The story exposes how “TigerSwan spearheaded a multifaceted private security operation Continue reading →

New IUB Conflict Revealed as DAPL Request Denied

May 18, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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To those who say, “The fight against the Dakota Access pipeline is over, so just move on,” we pipeline fighters and water protectors say, “Not so fast!” Tuesday, the Iowa Supreme Court sided with nine Iowa landowners and the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter, rejecting Dakota Access’ request to have the landowners’ lawsuit dismissed! The Court’s order reads: “Dakota Access contends this appeal should be dismissed because the appellant, Sierra Club Iowa Chapter, has failed to establish proper standing in this matter and the remaining appellants’ Continue reading →

Climate Justice Unity March: Day 8

April 30, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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Saturday, April 29, 2017 – Pleasant Hill to Iowa State Capitol (7 miles) It’s just under a seven-mile march from our church lodging in Pleasant Hill to the Iowa State Capitol for the People’s Climate Movement Rally. We set out on schedule and arrive at Sleepy Hollow for our break, just as it’s starting to rain. We know we won’t stay dry for long, but take this opportunity to sit under the facility’s patio roof for our half-hour break. There’s a car out front, suggesting staff Continue reading →

Climate Justice Unity March: Day 7

April 29, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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Friday, April 28, 2017 – Prairie City to Pleasant Hill (14 miles) Today promises to be the most difficult of the March: 14 miles in cold, rainy weather along a busy four-lane highway. We’re soaked both from above and below, as trucks barreling along spray us when they pass. It’s a testament to the commitment and perseverance of our group that ten marchers make it every step of the way in such conditions. At our rest stop at the 5.2 mile mark, we decide to break into two groups — one Continue reading →

Climate Justice Unity March: Day 6

April 28, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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Thursday, April 27, 2017 – Reasnor to Prairie City (11 miles) The weather has gone cold and damp, with temperatures 20 degrees below average. Days like this give fodder to the handful of people who completely deny climate change, with comments like, “Gee, we could sure use some global warming now.” Yet the vast majority of Iowans know the climate is changing, although there remains disagreement over the cause. My entirely unscientific estimate is that about half the people we’ve met on the March accept Continue reading →

Climate Justice Unity March: Day 5

April 27, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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Wednesday, April 26, 2017 – Sully to Reasnor (10 miles) We scramble out of our tents early today for the ride to Des Moines for Donnielle Wanatee’s trial. She was arrested for trespass at Governor Branstad’s office during the February 22 Day of Action Against DAPL. Donnielle pled “not guilty” and asked for a jury trial. The judge denied her request. Nevertheless, she persists. It’s a miserable morning. The wind and rain make it impossible for our cook, Chap Myers, to keep the stove lit. Continue reading →

Climate Justice Unity March: Day 4

April 26, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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Tuesday, April 25, 2017 – Searsboro to Sully (8.5 miles) As I pack up my tent this morning, Sarah informs me that she woke with a pit in her stomach, an odd sense of foreboding. She’s spoken with Shelley Buffalo and Fernando Manakaja as well, and they also have the same sense of unease — an intuition that someone or something may try to harm us today. I take their intuition seriously. Our marching column is tight, and we walk two-by-two on the gravel shoulder Continue reading →

Climate Justice Unity March: Day 3

April 25, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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Monday, April 24, 2017 – Montezuma to Searsboro (9.5 miles) Searsboro is one of those small, forgotten Iowa towns bypassed by the main highway. It’s a sprawling community of 142 people, built on hillocks tucked away in a valley along English Creek. I’ve driven by Searsboro dozens of times, wondering what it was like but never bothering to stop. From the highway you see only a few of Searsboro’s houses. Today, as our march winds its final mile over and around several steep, rolling hills, Continue reading →