Former Iowa legislator walks for peace

With almost 4,000 miles of marching under his belt, activist and talk show host Ed Fallon has started another endeavor - a five-week, 300-mile walk through Iowa called the Save America March.

Started on Monday, Sept. 29, Fallon has stopped in places such as Des Moines, Waukee, Greenfield, Orient, Murray and Creston during his trek. The Save America March is meant to start dialogue with Iowans with various political view about peacefully preserving democracy.

“Our democracy is being supplanted by authoritarian rule,” Fallon said. “We’ll never address the existential threats of climate change and nuclear weapons, or any other pressing issue for that matter, without a functional democracy. Violence isn’t the answer. The approach of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez and Dorothy Day is what will save us.”

Fallon stopped in Creston Wednesday, Oct. 15 to speak about the current political climate and how it’s changed from previous years.

“Like a lot of you, I was troubled for a long time about the divisiveness of the government. This is even pre-Trump,” Fallon said. “We’ve seen all these things that have happened and we’re moving toward a more authoritarian government. I think it started back under Reagan when AFCC eliminated the fairness [doctrine].”

While Fallon said it’s easy to get frustrated with voters in different parties, it’s important not to demonize them.

“We should be able to address our challenges civilly. Robert Ray is a great example of that. He was a great guy and he was civil. He took some risks too, like welcoming the Vietnamese immigrants,” Fallon said.

Through his march, Fallon has been able to speak with Iowans of various political backgrounds, something he’s well-versed in as a former Iowa Representative.

Fallon represented the 66th district of Iowa from 1993 to 2006 as a Democrat. However, Fallon has identified as an Independent in more recent years.

Focusing on climate change, Fallon launched five different marches between 2014 and 2018, the longest being the 2014 Climate March from L.A. to Washington, D.C.

Like all of his walks, Fallon invites the public to join him, whether for a mile or a day. Additionally, this march he’s staying with locals to get to know different people.

“It’s a big ask,” Fallon said. “In my experience, when people who don’t see eye-to-eye politically get together over conversation, food and music, they inevitably find common ground.”

Save America March is sponsored by the Fallon Forum and Climate March. People interested in supporting the march can donate to either organization. People who would like to host Fallon or march with him can reach him at (515) 238-6404 or ed@fallonforum.com.