CounterSpill

On July 26, environmental activist Tim DeChristopher was sentenced to two years in federal prison.

The verdict comes nearly two and a half years after he disrupted a government auction of oil and gas leases. As bidder number 70, DeChristopher made bogus bids on over 22,000 acres of national parks in an effort to save them from degradation. 

"My intent both at the time of the auction and now was to expose, embarrass and hold accountable the oil and gas industry, to the point that it cut into their $100 billion profits," DeChristopher said.

At the hearing, DeChristopher commented that he would cooperate with the sentencing, but his convictions would remain unchanged.

"This is what hope looks like from now on. This is what patriotism looks like. This is what love looks like," he said.

U.S. District Court Judge Dee Benson did not agree. He commented that allowing civil disobedience to go unpunished would result in "chaos."

"Mr. DeChristopher had many other lawful ways to express his disapproval with the oil and gas leasing process," said Benson.

Outside the courthouse, the verdict inspired acts of civil disobedience from his supporters. Activists broke out in song and tied themselves to the courthouse railing using plastic zip-ties. 

Police intervened when some formed a human chain to block traffic on the street, resulting in 26 arrests.  

Lindsy Floyd, an activist who was arrested at the scene, told KSL that she wanted to carry on DeChristopher's legacy. 

"Judge Benson said he was trying to deter other activists from following in Tim's footsteps and I wanted to show him that he's wrong," she said.

Rallies and protesting actions have taken place frequently over the past year. In March, a school bus driver was fired for taking children on an unscheduled detour to see a rally in support of DeChristopher.