Fellow activists and friends,

Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) and allied activists have invited hundreds of tribal and non-tribal friends, students, and supporters in north central Idaho, the Treasure Valley, and beyond to the following events.  Please participate and contact WIRT at wild.idaho.rising.tide@gmail.com and/or 208-301-8039 to arrange carpools from the Moscow/Pullman area to Bellingham, Boise, Helena, and Lapwai.

Sign the Stop the Megaloads Petition (Ciarra Greene)

A third anti-megaload petition, addressed to Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest Supervisor Rick Brazell, the U.S. President and Congress, the Idaho governor and legislature, and four regional county commissioners, urges the Forest Service to enforce its jurisdiction over megaload shipments across the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest.  Warning of the long-lasting effects of environmental and social injustices in the Highway 12 and Alberta tar sands regions, which cannot be repaired through financial settlements, the petition encourages Forest Service adherence to the scientific process and a complete assessment of the possible impacts of megaload transportation through the Wild and Scenic River corridor, before megaload transit authorization.

On behalf of WIRT’s 2000 members, our signature and comments on this petition added 5500 signatures, by incorporating the 3500 online and in-person signatures of the Petition to Deny Permits for Transport of Massively Oversized Equipment on U.S. Highway 12, submitted to the Idaho Transportation Department and Governor Otter, and the approximately 2000 online and in-person signatures of the currently circulated Petition to Deny Permits for Massively-Oversized Transports in the Northwest and Northern Rockies, addressing elected and appointed officials in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

Please add your name and comments to the petition to Stop the Megaloads’ 700 signatures, and request that all of your associates do the same, via facebook, email, Twitter, and other social media.

Saturday, September 7: Human Rights Day at the Market (City of Moscow)

The annual Human Rights Day information booth near the Friendship Square fountain at the Saturday, September 7, Moscow Farmers Market will feature displays, brochures, children’s activities, and a gallery of pictures and information about Moscow women (including a core WIRT organizer) representing different areas of work, to depict this year’s theme, Women and Work: Supporting Progress toward Equality.  Stop by this and the WIRT table between 8 am and 1 pm and take part in community discussions.

Sunday, September 8: Nimiipuu Against Megaloads Teach-In (Nimiipuu Activists)

Nimiipuu Nation community members who are concerned about the recent tar sands megaload protests that occurred on August 5 through 8, 2013, encourage and welcome youth, elders, and people of all ages to participate in a community discussion at the Lapwai City Park and the Pi-Nee-Waus Community Center in Lapwai, Idaho, from 4 to 6 pm on Sunday, September 8.  The teach-in aims to provide the Nimiipuu Nation and community information and background about the megaloads and the history of Nimiipuu activism, including the perspectives of nation members who wish to share their knowledge on this topic.  Along with dialogue about why the Nimiipuu Nation wants to stop the megaloads and support other indigenous communities in their struggles against tar sands exploitation, facilitators will host a community forum on this issue.  The teach-in will also offer updates on the federal court case and legalities, in preparation for the hearing on Monday, September 9, in Boise, Idaho.  Please bring an open mind, positive attitude, and ideas for next steps.  For further information, contact Ciarra Greene at 928-266-6527 or ciarrag@nezperce.org.  Moscow/Pullman area carpools depart the WIRT Activist House at 3 pm.

Monday, September 9: Rally for Indigenous Environment (Nimiipuu Activists)

Nez Perce tribal activists and allies are gathering in solidarity on the West Jefferson Street steps of the Idaho Capitol in Boise between 1 and 4 pm Mountain time on Monday, September 9.  Please join this anti-megaload rally before the associated federal court hearing, to send a clear, strong, unified message to elected Idaho officials that the Highway 12 corridor is not for sale to corporate America.  Participants will protest Omega Morgan’s transport of General Electric megaloads to tar sands extraction sites in Alberta, Canada, to speak out against massive water contamination, environmental degradation, and the rape of Mother Earth.  Bring your spirit of resistance, voice, signs, banners, and moccasins to stomp on Governor Butch Otter’s plan to stifle tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. Continue reading →