Bidder 70

Six Organizations Cited for Outstanding Work Receive Funding

Telluride, Colorado (June 8, 2012) –Mountainfilm in Telluride held its 34^th annual festival over Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-28. The event aims to educate and inspire audiences on subjects that range from outdoor adventure and exploration to critical environmental, cultural and social issues, and the program was packed with guest speakers and roughly 90 films, many of which featured the work of diverse nonprofit organizations.

Looking back at 2011, this has certainly been the year of the protester, something that Time Magazine crystalized with its Person of the Year issue. Of course the magazine rightly mentions the Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street movements, but they neglected to write about one of the most significant protesters of the year: Tim DeChristopher. DeChristopher is currently serving two years in prison for disrupting a federal auction of land for natural gas and oil drilling.

From Festival Director David Holbrooke:

Tim DeChristopher's trial came to a close on Thursday, yet the outpouring of support continues. Many have cited this trial as a key turning point of the climate change movement. "We know that now I’ll have to go to prison," DeChristopher said. "If we’re going to achieve our vision, many after me will have to join me as well."

From the Salt Lake Tribune:

Tim DeChristopher was found guilty today on both counts. Sentencing has been set for June 23, 2011.

From our Festival Director, David Holbrooke:

We are not surprised -- but are deeply saddened -- to hear of the guilty verdict of Tim DeChristopher. Mountainfilm celebrates indomitable spirit and Tim embodies that as much as anyone who has come through the festival. Tim has also been part of the inspiration of our festival theme this year: Awareness into Action. Our thoughts go out to Tim and his family on this difficult day.

A great quote in response to the verdict from Bill McKibben:

Tim entering court on Wednesday, March 2, 2011.

Is a "spur of the moment desire for hope" a federal crime? That is what the jury will have to decide in Tim DeChristopher's case, according to Defense Attorney Ron Yengich.

Live updates can be found here.

Tim leaving courtroom on Monday.

By Alex Chadwick

The trial of climate activist and Mountainfilm friend Tim DeChristopher goes to the jury today, with a verdict possible before day's end.

Tim, a festival guest for the last two years, is being tried on two federal felony counts that could get him ten years in prison for disrupting an oil and gas leases auction in the last days of the Bush Administration. He is charged with - and does not dispute - placing winning bids on parcels that were being auctioned for development by the Bureau of Land Management, which controls huge ranges through the west. Tim said he acted because the reality of climate change is growing, and because time is running out, and because he didn't think there was any legal means to challenge the Bush energy policies.

As day three of Tim DeChristopher's trial wraps up, there's still an outpouring of support; visible on the ground and virtually.

DeChristopher testified today, in which he emphasized that his purpose for going inside the auction was to "have a louder voice."

That morning I had realized that the protest wasn’t really going to have much of an impact, and this auction deserved more than just holding a sign. I wanted to go inside and take stronger action to really raise a red flag as to what was going on there.

If you want to read Tim's entire testimony, the Salt Lake Tribune has the full version on their website.

There has been a flurry of social media around Tim DeChristopher's trial. Here is a roundup of some of the most poignant quotes that have made their way round the web in the past few days:

From Terry Tempest Williams' Facebook page:

Last day of DeChristopher trial. I keep writing "trail" instead of "trial." Whatever happens today in terms of verdict, this conversation will continue. Tim remains calm, cool, and centered. He is carrying the burden. Proof is our beautiful, broken planet.

From Bill McKibben:

Thinking of @DeChristopher as trial hour nears. And thinking of Ed Abbey, who's standing up in his grave, fist raised

From Jamie Henn, 350.org Co-founder and Communications Director:

Support for Tim DeChristopher has stayed strong in Salt Lake City, both in and out of the courtroom.

Emily Long says of day one:

Regardless of the fact that most of the protestors outside had been up since before dawn and rallying for 10 or 12 hours, Tim was greeted by a huge crowd of supporters still holding ground on the front steps -- a crowd I was told had earlier sung happy birthday to one of the cops who were making sure order was intact -- singing "Stand" in solidarity with Tim. He was deeply moved by the huge outpouring of support.

That support has continued since Monday, in many forms.

From David Holbrooke on day two: