Dear Friends,
In 2017, Bold Iowa organized the Climate Justice Unity March. Thirty marchers walked 90 miles from Little Creek Camp in eastern Iowa to Des Moines, representing a mix of Native and non-Native allies united in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).
Climate Justice Unity March, April 2017
Unfortunately, on the first day of the march, we were met with severe opposition from local residents, who had been fed lies by a pro-pipeline group associated with DAPL. (Click here to watch the hateful video the group circulated.) Cars buzzed us along the highway. We were repeatedly flipped off. When we arrived at our campsite in Deep River, we were greeted by a confederate flag. During the night, we heard what we thought were gun shots.
Filmmaker Ralph King and his crew joined us for the entire march. Incredibly, through a willingness to reach out and connect with each other’s basic humanity, the opening conflict evolved into acceptance, understanding, and an awareness of common concerns. Ralph’s film, Crossing the Divide, documents that transformation.
At a time when political polarization has gone from bad to worse, the message of Crossing the Divide is even more relevant today. I’m excited to tell you that it’s one of four short films selected for the Green Film Festival, to be screened live in San Francisco on October 9.
There’s also a virtual screening. Click here to register. Kathy and I are going to make a date night out of it. There might even be wine and popcorn. If you do watch it, I’d be interested in your impressions.
Thanks for reading, listening, and taking action. — Ed
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Here’s what we’ve got for you this week:
(01:47) Crossing the Divide, with Ralph King;
(20:02) Libertarian candidate for Iowa governor, Rick Stewart;
(38:50) Why farmers are double cropping, with Matt Russell, USDA;
(54:02) October Garden Q & A, with Kathy Byrnes, Birds & Bees Urban Farm.
You can also catch the Fallon Forum on these local affiliates:
– KHOI 89.1 FM (Ames, Iowa)
– KICI.LP 105.3 FM (Iowa City, Iowa)
– WHIV 102.3 FM (New Orleans, Louisiana)
– KPIP-LP, 94.7 FM (Fayette, Missouri)
– KCEI 90.1 FM (Taos, New Mexico)
– KRFP 90.3 FM (Moscow, Idaho)
– WGRN 94.1 FM (Columbus, Ohio)
– KKFI 90.1 FM (Kansas City, Missouri)
Please support the local businesses and non-profits who make this program possible. Click on their logos on the Fallon Forum website and in our weekly email, and visit Dr. Drake Family Psychiatry, Story County Veterinary Clinic, Bold Iowa, and Birds & Bees Urban Farm. Thanks for supporting the civil alternative to the shock jocks!
Ed Fallon