On September 14th, over 100 members of the Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition, land owners, and other Iowans rallied outside of the U.S. Courthouse in downtown Des Moines calling on President Obama and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deny the Bakken Pipeline once and for all.
Iowans gather in Des Moines in opposition of pipeline. Photo: Kari Carney
Previously, three federal agencies announced they would temporarily maintain a halt on construction at one segment of the pipeline route. This is not enough. The Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition is demanding President Obama and the Army Corps to fully deny the Bakken Pipeline.
“The entire process for approving this pipeline has been flawed from the beginning – from the Army Corps’ failure to require an Environmental Impact Statement to the Iowa Utilities Board allowing construction to begin before the company had its permits,” stated Kari Carney, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Iowa. “Our water, land and climate are being threatened and we need the President to step in and say no.”
Photo: Kari Carney
Standing in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition delivered over 33,000 petition signatures today in Des Moines, IA demanding President Obama and the Army Corps deny the pending permits, rescind the existing permits, honor the treaties with the tribes, and deny the Bakken Pipeline.
“The American people are paying attention to the disaster that would be the Bakken Pipeline,” said Matt Ohloff, Iowa organizer with Food & Water Watch. “We have over 30,000 petition signatures to deliver today from Food & Water Watch supporters around the country calling on President Obama and the Army Corps to deny the Bakken Pipeline. It is time for the President to act and secure his legacy as a champion on climate justice issues.”
You can add your name to the petition here.
“Right now in Iowa and North Dakota we have the best opportunity ever to stop the fossil fuel extraction frenzy and turn the tide of climate change,” said Miriam Kashia, member of 100 Grannies for a Livable Future. “And we are here to add over 2000 petition signatures from Iowans calling on the President and the Army Corps to reject the Bakken Pipeline.”
Pipeline destruction underway in Boone, County Iowa
“The Dakota Access Pipeline is the legacy Iowa’s Governor Branstad has chosen to leave for future Iowans; President Obama don’t let the DAPL become your legacy—order the Army Corps to revoke all Dakota Access permits both in Iowa and North Dakota and stop this pipeline!” said Ross Grooters, member of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement.
Following the rally, the 100 people marched 1 block to the US Court House to deliver the 33,000 petitions. The coalition also called on the Department of Justice to investigate potential violations and injustices created by the faulty process.
Carolyn Raffensperger, executive director of the Science and Environmental Health Network stated, “The Department of Justice must investigate and rectify the environmental injustices that have happened.”
Join us in our call to shut down this pipeline! Sign the petition here.
Photo: Ross Grooters speaks at rally Photo: Kaylynn Strain