In the wake of intense national debate over the Keystone XL Pipeline and in the midst of Standing Rock, a small group of climate activists executed a coordinated shut down of the five tar sands pipelines along the Canadian border.
Documentary GoFundMe Campaign
On October 11, 2016, they cut the locks at pipeline facilities across four states and closed emergency valves, stopping the flow of 2.8 million barrels of oil — approximately 15% of US daily consumption.
Reuters called it, “the biggest coordinated move on US energy infrastructure ever undertaken by environmental protesters,” an act that “shook the North American energy industry.”
"To your children and my children, I'd say... I'm doing everything I can.”
–Leonard Higgins, Valve Turner
The activists were charged with a total of 27 felonies and 15 misdemeanors. Huge financial losses were claimed by the oil companies.
Eighty-four members of congress signed a letter demanding that Attorney General Jeff Sessions make an example out of them.
In North Dakota, Valve Turner Michael Foster was sentenced to one year in prison for shutting off the Keystone Pipeline.
But rather than back down, they are using the trials as a way to flip the script.
They want to establish a precedent of self-defense for the planet.
The "Necessity Defense"
But in each of the previous trials, the courts have struck down the Necessity Defense. Until now.
This October, two of the Valve Turners, Emily Johnston and Annette Klapstein, will be the first to present the defense at a trial in Minnesota. It’s the final chance for the activists to put the Climate Crisis itself on trial.
But we need your support to film this final chapter in their story. We have very few resources and your donations are the only means we have.
We are so close to the finish line. This will be our final round of filming, and we already have more than 50 minutes of the edit completed. We have an experienced team of filmmakers on board, who can help us bring this story to big film festivals, Netflix, and television. We've set a goal of $50,000 to complete the film. This will cover the remaining editing, shooting and finishing costs.
But we can't do any of this without your help.
Large donors will be given perks such as tickets, producer credits, and special thanks.
This is our last chance. Whether it’s $5 or $500, any money you can give will go a long way towards helping us finish this story, and helping get Climate Change back into the national conversation.
$50
Name in Credits
We will include a SPECIAL THANKS in the credits with your name on it!
$500
Community
Screening
Awesome! When the film is complete we'll bring Valve Turners to your community for a screening!
$1000
Sneak Preview
You’re incredible! THANK YOU! We’ll invite you to a private sneak-preview party and screening in NYC!
$5000
VIP TICKETS
to Premiere
You’re amazing! You will get VIP tickets to the film’s premiere!! Plus all of the previous perks!
(travel and lodging not included)
You are our savior! We will sing your praises! We couldn’t have done it without you and you deserve the EXECUTIVE PRODUCER credit in the main titles for helping us get Valve Turners to the big screen!
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP
If you can't contribute, no worries — here are a few ways you can help out:
Please share this GoFundMe link on social media!
For updates follow along on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/ValveTurners/
Follow me on Twitter @Liptay for updates as well!