Tag Archives: Climate Justice Unity March

First Nation – Farmer Climate Unity March

March 31, 2018 by Emma Schmit
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September 1 – 8, 2018 Landowners who had their property taken by force for the Dakota Access Pipeline have joined with the Iowa Sierra Club in a lawsuit against the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB). They allege that the IUB illegally allowed Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) to use eminent domain to build the Dakota Access Pipeline. Their case is strong and has potentially historic significance. To raise awareness of the importance of this lawsuit, Bold Iowa and Indigenous Iowa are organizing an eight-day, 90-mile march. Fifty Continue reading →

“Stop Eminent Domain Abuse” Roadshow

March 30, 2018 by Emma Schmit
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Bold Iowa and its partners are bringing a community forum to many towns across Iowa. Scroll down to see dates and locations. The community forums will highlight two items: First, learn about the historic eminent domain lawsuit before the Iowa Supreme Court, filed by landowners along the route of the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Iowa Sierra Club. For detail on the case, see Supreme Court No. 17-0423. Second, view “Crossing the Divide”, a documentary by Ralph King. The documentary is about the 2017 Climate Continue reading →

Wanted: Bold Iowans

October 19, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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Dear Friends, I’m writing with an urgent appeal. Since March of 2016, Bold Iowa has been a key leader on climate change and eminent domain. In fact, our work is recognized not just in Iowa but across the country. Yet for Bold Iowa to continue, we need your help NOW! We’ve built a powerful rural-urban network of environmentalists, farmers, Indigenous communities, landowners, and property-rights advocates. But our funding is perilously tight, and we truly need your support NOW! If even 10% of those receiving this message contribute $25, that would 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 →

How a confrontation with a Confederate flag compelled two Iowans to find common ground

April 29, 2017 by Emma Schmit
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Link to original article: www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2017/04/29/he-had-confederate-flag-they-called-cops/307780001/ Coverage by The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, April 29, 2017 All Darrin Ehret knew was that a group of environmentalists planned to march through Deep River Township and camp overnight in Silverman Park, directly behind his property. “We just didn’t know who they were,” he said. “It could have been anybody.” Word about the march was spreading around town. But details were scarce. And some feared the Saturday evening event would recruit radicals into town who planned to 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 →