Myself and Will Falk are currently fighting against a BLM attempt to fine us $49,890.13 for "unauthorized occupation and development of public lands" because we setup a 10-month protest camp at Thacker Pass and built a simple latrine so visiting native elders could use the bathroom.
We've appealed our case to the IBLA, the Interior Board of Land Appeals. The IBLA is basically a kangaroo court where the BLM is both judge and prosecutor. Among those poor souls who've had the misfortune to experience it, the IBLA is known as an absolute joke.
Recently, the BLM missed their own self-imposed deadline to submit documents in the case against us. Then, two weeks later, they retroactively asked for an extension of the deadline they had missed. Their explanation? They claimed to "mistakenly believe the Board had already extended the deadline."
The "Acting Deputy Chief Administrative Judge" of the kangaroo court noted that "BLM's motion is late" and also that the agency failed "to confer and establish compelling circumstances for its late-filed motion," but went ahead and GAVE THEM AN EXTENSION anyways.
Because of course the rules don't apply to the government agency. They only apply to us.
Meanwhile, the BLM and Lithium Nevada Corporation have violated NEPA, NHPA, APA, NAGPRA, and a slew of other federal laws with zero consequences whatsoever.
Our attorney Terry Lodge says about the matter: “The BLM leaped at the chance to hang a ridiculous $50,000 fine on my clients for building latrines on land where Lithium Nevada wants to build a 10-square-mile, 400-foot-deep pit mine. But now they don’t want to turn over internal records that will expose the hypocrisy and pettiness of their decision to prosecute. Only corporations are privileged to take a dump on public lands.”
And people wonder why I am a revolutionary who believes we need to overthrow the system to get justice and sustainability...
Photo: camp on February 25, 2021 — day 41 of the occupation.
#ProtectThackerPass #ProtectPeeheeMuhuh #ThackerPass
So sorry to hear you are going through this, Max. What a shameless example of one set of rules for the powerful, another for everyone else. Maddening. And you are correct, a revolution is required. All the best.