Regardless of where our Water Protectors travel in North Dakota to conduct a peaceful prayer event against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline that threatens the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s drinking water, you would think that they wouldn’t be met with armored vehicles and assault rifles. But they were.
Ever since North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard to protect the pipeline, our Water Protectors don’t know what they’ll face. They have been pushed back by private security guards armed with attack dogs and pepper spray. Some were bitten and sprayed as a newly reported ancestral burial site was deliberately bulldozed to destroy evidence.
Wednesday, September 28, the Water Protectors’ caravan was met with armored vehicles, helicopters dropping tear gas and police armed with military-style rifles.
Video shows that as the resisters are confronted, the militarized force starts locking and loading their weapons. Our people immediately raise their hands in unison and yell that they are not armed, that they are praying! The arrests begin, tear gas goes off and one videographer flees to get his footage out. Twenty-one are arrested.
Thomas H. Joseph II’s video account is below the fold:
BOHICA has more discussion here: 9/28/16 Standing Rock - Riot Gear, Tear Gas, MRAP about how our government gives law enforcement surplus military vehicles.
BACKGROUND
April 2016:
Tribal members began protesting the 1,172-mile, four-state, Dakota Access Pipeline construction by setting up camp along the banks of Lake Oahe in North Dakota.
August 2016:
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe filed suit in federal district court in Washington, D.C., against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is the primary federal agency that granted permits needed for construction of the pipeline. Background here—Sacred tribal sites still in danger from DAPL by Earthquake Weather
September 2016:
The small Sacred Stone Camp grows supporters there by the thousands with 280 tribes represented.
National attention grows from the next two events.
—The Dakota Access Pipeline guards unleash attack dogs on our American Indian water protectors by navajo (23,515 Facebook shares)
—North Dakota activates National Guard to protect the pipeline instead of our tribes by navajo (40,061 Facebook shares)
—The Vicious Dogs of Manifest Destiny Resurface in North Dakota by Jacqueline Keeler
Federal court denies the Standing Rock Tribe’s request for injunction. However, a joint statement from the Department of Justice, the Department of the Army, and the Department of the Interior asked for construction to voluntarily be ceased on federally controlled lands.
—Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s request to stop Dakota Access Pipeline denied, Dept. of Justice steps in by navajo
—Partial Victory for Standing Rock Sioux by EarthquakeWeather
Sacred Stone Camp is feeling this: Erased By False Victory: Obama Hasn’t Stopped DAPL
A detailed analysis provided by attorney Robin Martinez—who is coordinating legal advice and representation for protesters at the North Dakota camps: What You May Not Know About the Dakota Access Pipeline
Sept. 13 — 22 Water Protectors are arrested and jailed without bond after locking themselves to construction machinery.
—North Dakota’s Governor Declared a State of Emergency to Deal With Peaceful Oil Pipeline Protesters. We Call It a State of Emergency for Civil Rights by Jennifer Cook, Policy Director, ACLU of North Dakota
Sept. 14 — Morton County Sheriff pursues felony charges on those arrested. Twenty-three people and their charges are named. As of 9/14 a total of 69 individuals have been arrested for illegal protest activities.
—Judge drops injunction against tribal leaders allowing them to protest lawfully
Sept. 16 — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers grants Special Use Permit to Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to use Federal lands managed by the Corps near Lake Oahe for gathering to engage in a lawful free speech demonstration.
—Appeals court halts Dakota Access Pipeline work pending hearing that will give the court more time to consider the tribes' request for an injunction.
Sept. 20 — Standing Rock Sioux Chairman asks the United Nations for protection of the tribe's sovereign rights by navajo
Sept. 23 — 1,200 archeologists denounce desecration of Standing Rock burial grounds by DAPL, UN agrees by navajo
Sept. 26 — N.D. pipeline activism sparks White House to plan consultations with Native tribes on infrastructure by Meteor Blades
YOU can help:
—OFFICIAL SUPPORT FOR STANDING ROCK SIOUX TRIBE AGAINST DAPL Organized by: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
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We are all stewards of the earth
