Fellow megaload resisters,

Friday, September 13, 5 pm: Megaload Meeting

Nez Perce tribal and non-tribal activists are holding a gathering at 5 pm this Friday, September 13, at Lapwai City Park in Lapwai, Idaho, to discuss ideas and plans for protester court cases and next megaload movements on Highway 12.  Judge Winmill today granted a preliminary injunction against only Omega Morgan megaloads using Highway 12, in response to the Monday, September 9 federal court hearing that the tribe and Idaho Rivers United brought against the Forest Service.  Attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Boise will attend this meeting, to assist the 28 tribal members who were arrested while protesting the last Omega Morgan megaload shipment in early August.  At no cost, ACLU representatives may also provide a training to advise the tribe and community about the legal aspects of conducting civil disobedience.  They could also coordinate on-site legal observers to document protests, if and/or when the next tar sands module currently parked at the Port of Wilma or other megaloads pursue passage on regional highways.  This precautionary activist practice and legal protocol assures better protections and outcomes for arrested protesters, who should talk with attorneys before making any statements or decisions about charges.  Contact the Boise office of the ACLU at 208-344-9750, extension 1202, with your questions.  Nez Perce T-shirts printed at the start of anti-megaload struggles three years ago will also be available at this convergence.  Participants invite everyone attending to bring cold water or drinks in anticipation of high temperatures.  Palouse area carpools depart the WIRT Activist House at 4 pm.

Sunday, September 15, 4 pm: Megaloads Teach-In

Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) 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 Cave, 118 Main Street in Lapwai, Idaho, from 4 to 6 pm on Sunday, September 15.  The teach-in aims to provide the Nimiipuu Nation and community with 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.  This second teach-in will also offer updates on the federal court case and legalities, in the aftermath of the September 9 hearing in Boise and the September 13 temporary injunction.  Please bring an open mind, positive attitude, and ideas for next steps.  For further information, see the Caywaaspoo Megaload Teach-In Flyer 9-15-13 and contact Ciarra Greene at ciarrag@nezperce.org.  Moscow/Pullman area carpools depart the WIRT Activist House at 3 pm.

Federal Judge Orders Injunction Blocking Highway 12 Megaloads (September 13 Spokesman-Review Eye on Boise)

Sacrifice zone activists opposing alternative tar sands supply routes are always leery when our regional allies proclaim victory while we continue frontline resistance.  Like the Montana court decision on ExxonMobil loads, Judge Winmill’s ruling applies only to Omega Morgan transports.  Another hauler, Contractors Cargo Company, “wants to ship three massive refinery vessels from the Port of Lewiston to Great Falls, Montana, by November”.  But Judge Winmill’s memorandum decision implies that the Forest Service should enforce Highway 12 closure, ironically beyond the Nez Perce Reservation, until the agency has conducted its corridor review and consulted with the tribe.  His order states, “In accordance with the memorandum decision set forth above, now therefore it is hereby ordered that the motion for preliminary injunction is granted.  It is further ordered that the Forest Service issue a closure order to Omega Morgan pursuant to the Forest Service’s authority under 36 U.S.C. § 261.50.  The closure order shall close Highway 12 between mileposts 74 and 174 to any Omega Morgan megaload, and shall remain in place until the Forest Service has conducted its corridor review and consulted with the Nez Perce Tribe.  It is further ordered that the parties may contact the court’s clerk to set up an evidentiary hearing if necessary.” Continue reading →

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 →

Hi all,

In lieu of a more extensive, late-August Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) newsletter with plenty of positive news and updates, here is another quick note about upcoming events over the next week.  Please check the WIRT Events Calendar frequently and join us!

Tribal Activists Meeting (Tuesday, September 3)

Nez Perce, Idle No More, WIRT, and allied activists are gratefully anticipating hearing and sharing tribal activists’ insights at a gathering at Lapwai City Park in Lapwai, Idaho.  The 6 pm meeting on Tuesday, September 3, may be moved indoors to the nearby Pi-Nee-Waus Community Center if it rains.  Listen to the following KRFP interview of tribal activist Julian Matthews by citizen journalist Brett Haverstick, describing the last (first) such convergence.

Nez Perce Hold Community Meeting in Lapwai City Park on Megaloads (August 21 KRFP Evening Report, between 11:41 and 3:14)

National Weather Service Forecast for Lapwai

IRAGE at The Liquid Forum (Wednesday, September 4)

At the next, first Wednesday of every month Liquid Forum, activists of our partner grassroots group, Idaho Residents Against Gas Extraction (IRAGE), will describe what is happening with and how citizens are fighting oil and gas drilling and looming fracking in Payette County.  Deserving much more public attention, these processes threaten land, water, residents, agriculture, dairies, and sustainability in Idaho.  Please join the discussion and enjoy music by Breakdown Boulevard (as experienced at the Community Progressive III), between 5:30 and 7:30 pm MDT on Wednesday, September 4, at the restaurant/bar Liquid, 405 South Eighth Street in Boise, Idaho.

Weekly WIRT Potluck Meeting (Thursday, September 5)

Wild Idaho Rising Tide is holding potluck gatherings at 7 pm on Thursdays at the WIRT Activist House in Moscow, setting organizational goals, brainstorming strategies, devising tactics, establishing roles, delegating tasks, and mobilizing our collective.  Please see the WIRT alert about the last meeting for further information about upcoming and ongoing projects. Continue reading →