Bold Iowa Establishes "No Dakota Access" Encampment With Landowner Whose Property Was Seized via Eminent Domain for Pipeline

Bold Iowa Establishes "No Dakota Access" Encampment With Landowner Whose Property Was Seized via Eminent Domain for Pipeline

At the invitation of a Calhoun County farmer whose land is being torn-up to build the Dakota Access pipeline, Bold Iowa announced it is setting up an encampment on her property to rally pipeline fighters to monitor and slow down construction, with some participants willing to risk arrest.
"My land was taken by eminent domain, which I totally object to," said Shirley Gerjets, the farmer who is hosting the encampment. "Our options are zero. We're down to protesting, and that's all we can do. After Dakota Access was given the power of eminent domain and they took my property, I had no rights. They could kick me off my own land, even have me arrested for walking on my own land."
"I find it appalling that our elected officials are so willing to sell-out Iowans' property rights to a private corporation for an export pipeline," said Heather Pearson, a resident of Logan, Iowa who is participating in the encampment and has been arrested twice blocking construction. "The people of America's heartland should not have to take on the risk to our water and soil just so a large corporation can fatten its bottom line. I stand in solidarity with all Iowa landowners and everyone who is fighting to stop this pipeline."
To date, more than 2,500 people have signed the Bakken Pipeline Pledge of Resistance, which is supported by Bold Iowa, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, CREDO Action, and 100 Grannies for a Livable Future.