Billionaire Industry Versus Human Rights
Fighting persecution as one of today's ultimate underdogs
During a 2021 peaceful protest against a pipeline going through indigenous land, protesters in Minnesota were hit with rubber bullets, violently arrested, and charged with crimes.
One of those protesters was Mylene Vialard, a Colorado resident who had traveled with her daughter to back an indigenous-led effort to block Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline construction. She climbed up into a bamboo structure, adorned with signs reading “Love” and “Peace”, that stood in the path of the pumping station. As she sat in its small canopy, she said she was doing it for her family, and the generations that would come after them.
“I’m here for my daughter and my daughter’s daughter...I’m here because that’s the only thing I can do right now. I have to show up, and I have to defend this land, and I have to defend the rights of the people who have been on this land forever.”
As a result, Vialard faced a 10,000 dollar fine and up to 5 years in prison for her role in the protest. She was one of nearly 1000 people taken to task for her first amendment activity, and she was charged with a life-changing felony as part of a nation-wide crackdown on environmental activism.
Vialard’s lawyer explained how many state legislatures have been pushing extreme punishments for peaceful climate protesters that requires violators be charged with felony domestic terrorism.
Again, not taking the easy way out and not settling for injustice, Vialard refused a plea deal that would have lessened her sentence. To her, it was clear: Enbridge is enacting violence, they are in the wrong, and the harm they are doing will kill. She was standing up against all they represent.
“I could not sign the paper saying that I was guilty, because I am not the guilty party here.”
Vialard was convicted in a 2023 trial that was far from conventional. Prosecutors and law enforcement breached protocol throughout the trial without consequence, and there were a myriad of conflicts of interest underlying her case. As a result, she faced a year in prison.
Today, the Guardian reported that the conviction was overturned by an appeals court. Vialard awaits a new trial, and is still up for the fight.
“It is everyone’s role to resist bullies and protect the only world we have that can feed and provide for all of us humans and non-humans.”
This case is one of many ongoing challenges that tests the power and pervasiveness of billionaire corporate interests in our democracy. This news story is a boost to those of us who at times can feel small in a system that seems rigged against us. Vialard and those she stands with are so inspiringly brave, and they can turn the tide of injustice.
With love and hope for the future,
Stephanie
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Great article on witnessing with courage of conviction. First, on mail-in voting. Republicans need to lead the way and BOYCOTT. Republicans must set the example laid out by Trump for others to follow. That is their duty. By boycotting mail-in voting, Republicans will create a groundswell and muster other Republicans to vote only on election day, thereby showing their allegiance to and conviction for their leader. I think it is important for Republicans to back up Trump’s words with actions. Real Republicans Vote In Person on Election Day!
https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/protest-sign-sign-everywhere-a-sign
Thanks for standing up for all of us