For Immediate Release:
On Monday, March 6th, Milford District Court Judge Prevett found activist and former state representative Chris Balch not guilty on two counts of criminal mischief and two counts of timber trespass. These charges were levied by the State of NH in May of 2022 for allegedly spiking trees and posting warning signs to prevent the logging of state forest lands during a time of accelerated climate change.
Balch reflects, “The arresting Forest and Lands Officers repeatedly told me, “We’re not as far apart on this climate change thing as you might think. But in reality, we were worlds apart.” Balch notes that Law enforcement protects logging operations despite the science that illuminates that deforestation and logging are second only to burning fossil fuels in contributing to climate change.”
Balch’s not guilty verdict comes at a pivotal moment. Currently, 45 million trees are “harvested” every single day. This totals about 15 BILLION trees per year. At the same time,the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued warnings that current models illustrate a +4°C warming of the earth will reduce the planet’s carrying capacity for human life to below 1 billion. As the current population is over 8 billion, human populations would decrease by a shocking 87% over about a decade.
During the trial, the prosecution argued their case from a technical, legal standpoint. In contrast, Balch argued for the future. He states, “I explained that it is the “legal” stuff that has gotten us all the way to where we are today. A today where humans lay waste to forests, jungles, farmland, oceans, rivers, seas and lakes. A today where lands, water and air are poisoned by chemicals and pesticides, and choked with plastics. A today where the quality of life for survivors will be very uncertain.”
On March 22, Balch again stood trial, this time for charges of trespass for his alleged involvement in the Oct 3 2021 No Coal No Gas action at Merrimack Station. Together with Theo Talcott, Balch argued that “changing a paradigm that has endured for hundreds of years is difficult. How is it done? I’ve come to believe it takes courage. And this courage is not found amid the partisan bickering of legislative sessions. It doesn’t come from those with dollar signs in their eyes, lobbying for an ever-increasing dependence on fossil fuels.”
He added, “Your honor, our protest was entirely non-violent and peaceful, yet our dozen or so unarmed, kneeling protesters were surrounded by 50 state police officers in full riot gear. They surrounded us and then stood silently, weapons ready, maintaining a darkly menacing presence while we were taken away one at a time….Who are the real criminals? And who are the real heros? Your honor, I ask for you to have the courage to help create positive change.”
In this trial, Balch and Talcott were both found guilty and sentenced to a $150 fine suspended for one year of good behavior. In his closing statements for each trial, Balch asked the judge to “consider that I am only guilty of caring. I am only guilty of defending my family, my children and grandchildren. I am only guilty of being part of the growing effort to protect the planet and all life on it. I am only guilty of being a moral person.”
