Galindez writes: "For many Iowans including some landowners in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline #DAPL, its a done deal. In Iowa the Governor and most government officials are fully on board and doing the bidding of the out of state companies who will profit from the pipeline. hundreds of miles of pipe has already been buried in the ground."
Opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline gathered in Iowa calling for an end to construction of the pipeline through four midwestern states. (photo: Iowa CCI)
24 September 16
or many Iowans in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline (#DAPL), including some landowners, it’s a done deal. The governor of Iowa and most government officials are fully on board and doing the bidding of the out of state companies who will profit from the pipeline. Hundreds of miles of pipe have already been buried in the ground.
For other Iowans, the resistance in North Dakota has renewed their hope that no oil will ever flow through the pipe. Damage has already been done to the earth, but if the pipe is not allowed to cross the Missouri and potentially other waterways, no oil can flow through the pipeline. Many felt that the Keystone XL Pipeline was a done deal. Pipe was being laid in many states. But no oil is flowing through those pipes, the movement against Keystone was successful, and now the oil from Canadian Tar Sands has to find another route. Many fear that route could be the Dakota Access Pipeline.
The Keystone Pipeline needed permission from the Obama administration to cross the border. The Dakota Access Pipeline already crosses the border and currently is planned to carry oil through four states. Many fear that it is the first leg of what will eventually be the new Keystone, snaking its way to the refineries on the Gulf.
In Iowa, the governor allowed the use of eminent domain after successfully making the case that the pipeline has “public benefits.” They needed that classification because Iowa has a law doesn’t allow eminent domain to be used for private gain. The oil will not be used in Iowa, so the nine landowners are suing with the claim that eminent domain was illegally used to access their land.
Unfortunately they won’t get their day in court until November. The pipe will be laid by then, but there is still hope that no oil will flow through it. On Thursday, September 22nd, 200 activists from all over the Midwest met at the Boone County Fairgrounds to plan a direct action on the pipeline route. That afternoon they traveled by caravan to Pilot Mound, Iowa. Most of the vehicles parked on the shoulder of the road, while a dozen cars stopped in the road, effectively blocking an access road to a pipeline construction site.
Jess Mazour, an organizer with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI), was one of those who left her car in the road. Her car was towed, and she was given a $200 ticket. Mazur told RSN that she is “taking risks, because the risks of this pipeline are so great that I feel I need to do whatever it will take to stop this pipeline.”
Adam Mason, also of Iowa CCI, said, “Folks around the country can join us here in Iowa, stand with our brothers and sisters in Standing Rock, North Dakota. Join us all along the pipeline path and call and email President Obama and let him know we need to shut this pipeline down.”
This weekend, pipeline opponents are gathering at a camp near Sandusky, Iowa, a town on the Mississippi River. Last week 15 people were arrested for trespassing on a pipeline construction site. Dozens have been arrested in recent weeks. Groups opposing the pipeline vow to continue nonviolent resistance to the pipeline and are organizing what they are calling Bakken Action Teams.
Scott Galindez attended Syracuse University, where he first became politically active. The writings of El Salvador's slain archbishop Oscar Romero and the on-campus South Africa divestment movement converted him from a Reagan supporter to an activist for Peace and Justice. Over the years he has been influenced by the likes of Philip Berrigan, William Thomas, Mitch Snyder, Don White, Lisa Fithian, and Paul Wellstone. Scott met Marc Ash while organizing counterinaugural events after George W. Bush's first stolen election. Scott will be spending a year covering the presidential election from Iowa.
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