January 29, 2013 by Leslie Amsterdam.
The rapid introduction of a mining bill in the new 2013 legislative session has brought a swift response from the anti-mining community. Activists, fueled by the energy of sovereignty of #IdleNoMore, came together quickly at hearings and protests to call attention to the one player in this struggle with no voice: Our Mother Earth and her clean, clear water.
The bill in question, SB1/AB1, would change current environmental standards in Wisconsin allowing for the world’s largest iron ore mine near some of the region’s most pristine natural resources, and polluting the headwaters of the Bad River. The lifestyle and cultural traditions of the Bad River Tribe of the Lake Superior Chippewa will be particularly affected as their testimony at a public hearing on the proposed mine clearly shows. This collection of images and videos documents the passion that our community brings to this issue.
Water Is Life #IdleNoMore 1/13/13
Overpass Light Brigade #IdleNoMore Madison WI 1/13/13
Protect the Earth #IdleNoMore Madison WI 1/13/13
Governor Walker presented iron ore mining as viable job creation during the 2013 State of the State 1/15/13.
Gogebic Taconite presents their case to legislators and citizens at a public hearing on 1/23/13. Here Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) asks about environmental concerns.
A packed house observes and waits to give testimony at the public hearing for SB1/AB1 1/23/13.
Activists in the rotunda outside the public hearing on SB1/AB1 1/23/13.
A large turnout for the Solidarity SingAlong on public hearing day for SB1/AB1 1/23/13
The main message from the Protect Wisconsin’s Waters rally 1/26/13.
Frank Koehn from Save the Water’s Edge in Ashland at Protect Wisconsin’s Waters rally 1/26/13
Ken Fish from Menominee talked about the Wolf River and kicking Exxon out of Crandon 1/26/13.
Fran Van Zile and Fred Ackley from the Mole Lake Sokoagon Ojibwe community, also veterans of the fight against the Crandon mine, make a tobacco offering in front of the crowd 1/26/13.
Lake Superior Chippewa Bad River Tribe member Esie Leoso-Corbine, “Genocide is alive and well in Wisconsin” and “If one shovel goes into that earth it will destroy my people” from #NoMine rally 1/26/13.
Solidarity from the Madison-Sister City Arcatao project with Marc Rosenthal of the Midwest Coalition against Lethal Mining, “”Solidarity, it is a message that builds one link in the chain that we are building to say No to mining, Yes to life, Yes to water.”
“Million-gallon manure ponds, high-voltage power lines, strip mines and Supermax prisons – these are the ONLY ideas for economic development that Scott Walker has to offer.”-John Peck, Family Farm Defenders 1/26/13
Water is Life from Protect Wisconsin’s Waters rally 1/26/13.
#Idle No More at Protect Wisconsin’s Waters rally 1/26/13
Boundaries from Protect Wisconsin’s Waters 1/26/2013
Peace. Water reserved since 1787 from Protect Wisconsin’s Waters rally 1/ 26/13.
The Protect Wisconsin’s Waters rally marched down to Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce who have lobbied heavily in favor of the legislation that would make mining a reality in Wisconsin 1/26/13.
Patricia K Hammel MC’d the Protect Wisconsin’s Waters rally at the Capitol and later burned sage at WMC 1/26/13.
Andy Heidt, President of AFSCME Professionals 1871, sent a loud and clear message at the Protect Wisconsin’s Waters rally 1/26/13: “Not on our land, not in our lifetime.”
All images and videos Copyright Leslie Amsterdam 2013. All rights reserved.
Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative 
Leave a Reply