Quakers, social justice and revolution

After setting up the tent and getting things ready for bed while it was still light out (lesson learned) we gathered for dinner in a huge shed on the farm of Craig and LaVon Griffieon, Craig and LaVon spoke about their year’s long struggle to prevent the expanding city of Ankeny. The city wants to rezone their farm land and force them to leave. So far they have held the city off.

Then Regina Tsosie spoke. First she thanked the Griffieon’s for their hospitality.  Then she spoke about the parallels with the theft of Native lands in the United States.  Regina expressed sympathy for the Griffieon’s situation, and said all of us would be willing to do what we could to help and support them. Regina said she hoped they would not lose their land.

We had prolonged, severe thunderstorms for much of the night. Lots of lightening and thunder. Again I was surprised at how well the tent held up, keeping the water out. There were times when the intensity of the rain could only be described as a downpour. I did get a little concerned when for about a 15 minutes the wind was blowing so strongly that side of the tent bowed inward. I was thinking of escaping to the farm’s shed, but was afraid without me weight, the tent might blow away.

After a quick visit to the solar shower (more on that later), and an awesome breakfast including French toast with strawberry/blueberry toping, we’re preparing to leave for a 9 mile trek today. The sun is shining!

The disorganization of the first night continued to be present the first morning. I wanted to write a blog post before we started, but that put me behind in getting packed up and ready to go. It started to blow and rain by that time, so I had the new experience of taking the tent down in those conditions.

After loading our gear in the gear truck, we carpooled to the Iowa Public Utilities board, which was responsible for using eminent domain incorrectly to force farmers to allow the Dakota Access pipeline to be built on their land. We gathered there this morning to highlight the case that will be heard soon in the Iowa Supreme Court, to challenge the improper use of eminent domain. Should the case be settled in our (the environmentalists) favor, that should stop the flow of oil through the pipeline. A number of friends met us there. There were also reporters from the Des Moines Register and the local NBC television station.

Then we drove to Birdland Park to begin the March. We gathered in a circle for prayers. Soldier Boy sang a ceremony song for us.

I mentioned some Quakers were going to be praying for us from 8:30-9:00 am daily, and everyone gave thanks and appreciation for that.

It was no longer raining as we set out to walk 13 miles today. The sun soon came out and it felt hot with temperatures in the mid 80’s and very high humidity.

March begins

After 13 miles we arrived at the Griffieon farm. A teepee had been setup. We setup our tents, then had dinner. We have been having strong thunderstorms all evening. Looks like another wet night.

More photos can be found here:

https://1drv.ms/f/s!Avb9bFhezZpPiaxruSxvL0I7XbA6Qg

People slowly gathered last night for the beginning of the First Nation-Farmer Climate Unity March. Tents popped up on the hill near the shelter at Union Park.

Dinner was served around 7:00 pm, followed by introductions and discussions of the logistics of the March. That included interesting information presented by Soldier Boy, who has provided security for numerous marches and runs. He actually organized the runs of Native youth.

Many of the Native Americans who will be marching with us were at Iowa Citizens For Community Improvement creating the art, signs and banners, for the March (example below).

Another lesson I learned was to have everything setup for the night while it is still light out. Our meeting ended around 9:15 by which time it was completely dark. I spent a lot of time searching through the two duffel bags for things.

Even though a brought a pad to put under the sleep bag, I could definitely feel the ground beneath me. It took a while to fall asleep. I was enjoying being out in nature, bringing back memories of camping with the family each summer as we were growing up.

As expected, rain and thunder arrived. I was awoken at 3 am, and that continued for most of the rest of the night. Awakening, I began to re-pack everything for the first time. I hope this will go more smoothly with practice.

Next on the agenda is the press conference at the Public Utilities Board on the State Capitol grounds at 9:30.

People are beginning to arrive for the start of the First Nation-Farmer Climate Unity March. We will spend the first night in Union Park in Des Moines, Iowa. I don’t know Des Moines that well, but had been here earlier this year for a Poor People’s Campaign event.

Already here were Peter Clay, IYMC Quaker, and Miriam Kashia. I know Miriam from the Climate Walk from Scattergood Friends School to Iowa City, about 12 miles, in 2013.

The forecast is for rain every day this coming weekend and week, and it did begin to rain soon after I arrived. Peter was setting up his tent, and Mom helped me set up mine. This is only the second time I had setup the tent, the other time in the downstairs at home. But things went pretty well…The first time. After the tents were up we discovered they were in the wrong location in the park, so we had to move them. I learned you can move the assembled tent. Everyone pitched in to move each tent, building community in more ways than one. 🙂