Eagle Rock community garden survives

Eagle Rock is now gated by Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co. (Photos courtesy Stand for the Land)

From Stand for the Land, by Rich and Catherine

EAGLE ROCK -- A friend and I traveled to Eagle Rock Sunday. I felt disheartened, approaching the road we would normally take to enter the encampment.

Turning onto the access off the Triple A, we saw a pile of wood dumped in the center of the road. "Hey, it’s our firewood!" I said. Stopping and exiting the car, we noticed two security guards in their vehicle on the opposite side of the fence. I greeted them politely. I have no quarrel with them.

Kennecott left this wood from Eagle Rock campers' woodpile in the middle of the access road that is now gated. Two Native Americans were arrested for "trespassing" on May 27 and others ordered to leave.

Passing the wood pile, a few of the pieces looked familiar. Wood that was cut for the cook stove, large chunks of ash and spruce and the poles that were cut for the Long House lay in a messy heap. This pile was the remains of the wood donated by supporters of the cause.

I approached the fence and saw a flower in full bloom at the base. Looking from side to side I noticed several others. A slight smile formed. Petunias ...

Replanted community garden, now outside Kennecott's fence.

Even with all the heavy equipment and man power moving back and forth erecting the final portion of fence, the garden survives just like the movement. With a little tender loving care, it will flourish and we will reap a harvest come autumn ...

Read more of this article by Rich and Catherine and see more photos on Stand for the Land ...

UPDATED: Citizen rallies to be held June 15 in Ishpeming, Marquette

MARQUETTE -- Concerned citizens will hold two rallies on Tuesday, June 15 -- one in Ishpeming and one in Marquette -- in support of sulfide mine opponents arrested for alleged "trespassing" near and on Eagle Rock.

IMPORTANT UPDATE -- TIME CHANGE:

Ishpeming -- A rally will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for Charlotte Loonsfoot and Chris Chosa’s pre-trial conference on the Ishpeming Courthouse steps. CARPOOLING from Marquette will depart at 8 a.m. from the Save the Wild UP (SWUP) office, 413 N. Third St. Please park in the rear parking lot or on Michigan or Arch side streets. The corrected times for their court meeting(s) are 9 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.

Marquette -- After the Ishpeming rally, participants will return to Marquette (SWUP office) and will walk down Third St. to the courthouse. The rally will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Marquette County Courthouse steps in support of Cynthia Pryor.

Pryor’s jury trial is set for 8 a.m. in District Court Room 215 with Judge Roger Kangas presiding if anyone is interested in attending.

Second UPDATE: Jury selection for Pryor's trial is at 8:30. The small courtroom may be crowded with 35 plus possible jurors; however after selection of the jurors the room should clear out for general public seating and the hearing to follow. Time frame is unknown. The public will not be allowed in for jury selection. The court does not want people coming and going at random points during the trial; people will be allowed to enter and exit courtroom during recesses.