opinion

Dakota Access pipeline vandals took real risks to defend Iowa air, water, land

A briar patch of thorns to The Des Moines Register for its utterly predictable condemnation of the two Catholic Worker women who claimed they sabotaged the Dakota Access pipeline [Thistle: Vandals undermine thoughtful protesters, Aug. 6].

Jessica Reznicek and Ruby Montoya's alleged actions stand squarely in the historical tradition of the faith-based antiwar movement and the biblical call to "beat swords into plowshares." Their alleged actions harmed no one, and they have allowed themselves to be held publicly accountable for them.

The Dakota Access pipeline is a weapon of mass destruction. Unlike most of us, who "fought" the pipeline without any real commitment to do what was necessary to protect the state of Iowa and the rest of the planet from catastrophic climate change, these young women put their bodies on the line and took real risks in defense of our air, water, and land.

RELATED: Dakota Access pipeline: Land restoration, cleanup 100% done in Iowa

Dorothy Day and the Berrigan brothers would be proud of them — and we should be, too.

— David Goodner, Iowa City