Author Archives: Ed Fallon

Pipeline opponent “guilty,” but trial sets precedent for justification defense

June 7, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2017 Contact: Kriss Wells: 563-289-3635, [email protected] Carolyn Raffensperger: 515-450-2320, [email protected] Ed Fallon: 515-238-6404, [email protected] Pipeline opponent “guilty,” but trial sets precedent for justification defense Boone, Iowa — Kriss Wells (pictured below), a long-time resident of the Quad Cities and a retired social worker, received a verdict of “guilty” in a jury trial today at the Boone County Courthouse. Wells was one of thirty pipeline opponents charged with trespass on August 31, 2016 while blocking vehicles from leaving or entering a 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 →

June 30: Jury Trial for Iowa Woman Arrested in Dakota Access Protest on Farmer’s Land

May 19, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2017 Contact: Ed Fallon, Bold Iowa: 515-238-6404, [email protected] Jessica Fears, Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition, 515-450-9627, [email protected] Iowa Woman Arrested Stopping Dakota Access Construction on Iowa Landowner’s Property Taken by Eminent Domain to Plead “Not Guilty,” Citing “Climate Emergency” Justification for Trespassing Bold Iowa’s “Farmer Defense Camp” was established with permission on eminent domain holdout landowner Shirley Gerjets’ property, a first of its kind in Dakota Access pipeline fight Rockwell City, IA — Heather Pearson, a resident of Logan, Iowa and 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

May 1, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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Dear Friends, To build momentum for the People’s Climate Movement, Bold Iowa and its partners are organizing an eight-day, 80-mile Climate Justice Unity March. Marchers will set out from Indigenous Iowa’s Little Creek Camp near Millersburg on April 22 and arrive at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines at 1:00 p.m. on April 29 for a huge rally. The People’s Climate Movement is gaining momentum for a landmark day of action on April 29, marking the 100th day of the Trump Presidency. The major Continue reading →

Toilet paper provided; bring your own towel

April 30, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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Dear Friends, Q: What’s more challenging than marching ten miles a day for eight days? A: Organizing the logistics to make such a march possible. Seriously. Shari Hrdina, Sarah Spain and I have done this before, organizing the coast-to-coast Great March for Climate Action in 2014. Did we learn our lesson? Apparently not. Here we are again, organizing the Climate Justice Unity March reminded on a daily basis just how complex are the logistics of a march of 25 people. One example: Check out these pictures of 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 →

Stepping Forward for Climate Unity

April 29, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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Dear Friends, As we build to the big rally on April 29, I am all kinds of excited about the upcoming Climate Justice Unity March! We have 20 people planning to march each day, and if you’d like to participate for one day, or the entire week, there’s still time to sign up. Click here to sign up. Within the past 24 hours, I’ve spoken with mayors of two of the small towns we will stay in. What they are most excited about is the 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 1

April 28, 2017 by Ed Fallon
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Saturday, April 22, 2017 – Little Creek Camp to Deep River (12.8 miles) Today saw three notable “firsts,” none of them good. Our troupe of 25-30 marchers were flipped off three times by passing drivers. I’ve walked 700 miles along Iowa’s highways and gravel roads and never had someone do that to me. Also today, as we were taking a break on a gravel road, I walked a short distance across a field to talk with a young farmer who was watching us. I introduced myself, explained Continue reading →