#4Necessity #ActOnClimate #ValveTurners
"There’s hope in the world when lots of people are working to protect our relationship with the earth and to try to live in right relationship with creation.” - Brenna Cussen Anglada
In a recent article by Anna Keating, published in America magazine, three faithful women are asked about their response to climate change, including our own Brenna Cussen Anglada. Read more here!
Hi friends, it's been a little while. We are so grateful for your support and care over the last year. On February 4th, we were again together praying and thinking about the trial coming up on June 2nd in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, northwest of Duluth. We made an altar in our space to remember and re-ground ourselves in the action we took, and the journey we've been on together since. Every day, the news confirms our conviction that there must be urgent action taken.
Preparation for trial is different, but no less elaborate, than preparation for civil disobedience. The court room we have been meeting in has no windows, which at times seems metaphorical for the lack of concern the law has for the impact of fossil fuels on the climate and our future. But not only the climate has changed in this past year. We, also, have undergone a transformation through this process. And so we ask your prayers as we discern how we want to mark the time from now until the trial, and from the trial to the sentencing. Particularly, how shall we celebrate with you all the time we have left? And how can we support you in this moment of climate catastrophe?
Two things we do know, right now: you are so very welcome to join us in June, and the world desperately needs you.
So please plan to join us in Northeastern Minnesota. There will be free and public events, but these do cost money for us to host. We are so grateful for the support you've shared so far, which powers this website, our legal team, and other necessary expenses. We are hopeful that some will feel called to support these events to allow us to share experience, food, and fellowship as we prepare for court. Our donate page has the latest details on how we can receive donations.
Panel Discussion with the Valve Turners
6:30 - 9:00 pm Friday, May 30th, 2020
Peace Church, Duluth, MN
Welcome Table with the Valve Turners
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Monday, June 1st, 2020
TBD Grand Rapids, MN
Evening Prayer & Song
8:00 - 9:00 pm Monday, June 1st, 2020
Camp Hiawatha, Deer River Township, MN
Trial Begins
8:30 am Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020
Itasca County Court House, Grand Rapids, MN
(court scheduled Tuesday through Friday, but may adjourn before then)
The Four Necessity Valve Turners, Brenna Cussen-Anglada, Michele Naar-Obed, Allyson Polman, and Daniel Yildirim, appeared at the Itasca County Courthouse in Grand Rapids MN on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 before Judge Chandler to confirm their plea of 'Not Guilty” to Count 1 felony: Aiding and abetting attempted damage to pipeline property, and Count 2 misdemeanor: Aiding and abetting criminal damage to property. The group also confirmed a joint trial, and waived their rights to a speedy trial (this was necessary in order to obtain a fixed trial date to facilitate the travel plans of out-of-town counsel).
With that, a trial date with jury is now set for Tuesday, June 2, 2020 beginning at 8:30am. The group expects a 3 day trial.
The Four Necessity Valve Turners will be preparing pretrial events and are available for speaking engagements. Even though the Necessity Defense will not be formally allowed in the trial, the group will engage with expert witnesses in the climate crisis to educate, raise awareness, and develop solutions in the months leading up to the trial.
Financial contributions are still needed for covering costs for pretrial events. Donations can be sent through PayPal, or checks made out to St. Isidore Catholic Worker Farm with Four Necessity in the memo line can be sent to:
St. Isidore Catholic Worker Farm,
2752 Clay Hollow Road
Cuba City WI 53807
