[FUNDRAISER] David Brower was probably America’s greatest and best-known conservationist in the 20th century. He led the battles against damming Dinosaur National Monument, the Yukon and the Grand Canyon itself. He successfully fought for national parks in the Cascades, Alaska, Point Reyes, Kings Canyon and a half dozen other places. Yet there’s a certain irony to screening the outstanding documentary
Monumental
, which chronicles Brower’s “Fight for Wild America,” as a fundraiser for the Sierra Club’s Maui Chapter. After all, though Brower was the Sierra Club’s first executive director—a post he held for 17 years—the Club ousted him in 1969 for being “arrogant,” “financially reckless” and ultimately too militant and radical. Brower stayed a member of the Sierra Club Board of Directors until he resigned in protest in May of 2000. “They’re not spending enough time worrying about what is happening to the Earth,” he told CNN. “They’re worried more about their standing rules and what’s happening in committees.” Brower died six months later at the age of 88. One of his last wishes was that the Sierra Club “be more bold.” Since his death, the federal government has approved drilling in ANWR, gutted environmental laws and basically declared open season on the American wilderness. I’d say that Sierra Club showings of films like
Monumental
are long overdue. Tickets cost $10. For more information, call the Maui Film Festival at 572-3456. [ANTHONY PIGNATARO]
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