Tim DeChristopher Protest photograph collection
Collection
Identifier: P1999
Scope and Contents
The Tim DeChristopher Protest photograph collection consists of 1 box containing 49 color photographs documenting DeChristopher's protest at a 2008 Bureau of Land Management auction and the protests sparked by his 2011 sentencing to federal prison for his protest.
Dates
- 2008-2011
Creator
- Fryer, Irene (Person)
Language of Materials
Collection materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Tim DeChristopher Protest photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator.
Permission to publish material from the Tim DeChristopher Protest photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator.
Biographical Note
Timothy Mansfield “Tim” DeChristopher (1981-) was born in West Milford, West Virginia. He grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and attended Arizona State University. DeChristopher moved to Utah in 2005, working as a wilderness guide for troubled and at-risk youth. Always interested in environmentalism, working as a wilderness guide inspired DeChristopher towards activism. He began to study economics at the University of Utah, graduating in 2009; during his studies, DeChristopher deepened his understanding of climate change and became increasingly involved in environmental activism.
On December 19, 2008, DeChristopher disrupted a United States Bureau of Land Mangement oil and gas lease auction. After he bid $1.8 million to win bids on parcels near Arches and Canyonlands national parks and drove up prices on several others, BLM agents removed him from the auction. DeChristopher acknowledged his false bidding, saying it was an act of civil disobedience in protest of George W. Bush administration policies that he insisted were worsening the global climate crisis. On January 17, 2009, U.S. District Judge Ricardo Urbina temporarily halted the sale of 77 parcels, finding that the BLM had violated certain environmental protection laws pertaining to air quality and historical preservation. On April 1, 2009, a federal grand jury handed up a two-count felony indictment against DeChristopher that accused him of violating the terms of the auction he promised to observe when he signed up to bid.
Through his act of civil disobedience, DeChristopher became increasingly connected with other environmental activists, cofounding Peaceful Uprising, a volunteer-based climate action group. On March 3, 2011, a jury convicted DeChristopher of two federal felonies. On July 26, 2011, Judge Benson sentenced DeChristopher to two years in prison, imposed a $10,000 fine, and ordered him into immediate custody. The court's decision resulted in popular protest in Salt Lake City and other cities across the United States. DeChristopher was released on April 21, 2013, after two years in federal prison. After his release, DeChristopher attended Harvard Divinity School. He has continued his environmental activism, cofounding the Climate Disobedience Center, which provides legal resources and support to climate activists who engage in civil disobedience.
On December 19, 2008, DeChristopher disrupted a United States Bureau of Land Mangement oil and gas lease auction. After he bid $1.8 million to win bids on parcels near Arches and Canyonlands national parks and drove up prices on several others, BLM agents removed him from the auction. DeChristopher acknowledged his false bidding, saying it was an act of civil disobedience in protest of George W. Bush administration policies that he insisted were worsening the global climate crisis. On January 17, 2009, U.S. District Judge Ricardo Urbina temporarily halted the sale of 77 parcels, finding that the BLM had violated certain environmental protection laws pertaining to air quality and historical preservation. On April 1, 2009, a federal grand jury handed up a two-count felony indictment against DeChristopher that accused him of violating the terms of the auction he promised to observe when he signed up to bid.
Through his act of civil disobedience, DeChristopher became increasingly connected with other environmental activists, cofounding Peaceful Uprising, a volunteer-based climate action group. On March 3, 2011, a jury convicted DeChristopher of two federal felonies. On July 26, 2011, Judge Benson sentenced DeChristopher to two years in prison, imposed a $10,000 fine, and ordered him into immediate custody. The court's decision resulted in popular protest in Salt Lake City and other cities across the United States. DeChristopher was released on April 21, 2013, after two years in federal prison. After his release, DeChristopher attended Harvard Divinity School. He has continued his environmental activism, cofounding the Climate Disobedience Center, which provides legal resources and support to climate activists who engage in civil disobedience.
Extent
49 Items (1 box)
Abstract
Timothy Mansfield “Tim” DeChristopher (1981-) is an environmental and climate activists who was arrested and sentenced to two years in federal prison for disrupting a United States Bureau of Land Mangement oil and gas lease auction December 19, 2008, in Salt Lake City, Utah. This collection contains color photographs documenting DeChristopher's protest and sentencing.
Arrangement
Arranged by subject
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Irene Fryer in 2013.
Separated Materials
See also the Tim DeChristopher protest collection (ACCN 2739)in the Manuscripts Division of Special Collections.
Processing Information
Processed by Special Collections staff.
Creator
- Fryer, Irene (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Tim DeChristopher Protest photograph collection, 2008-2011
- Author
- Finding aid created by Claire A. Kempa
- Date
- 2022
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid encoded in English in Latin script.
Repository Details
Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository
Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu