Campaign Action
This morning some Water Protectors chained themselves to construction equipment at the Dakota Access pipeline in North Dakota. Police arrived in riot gear with automatic weapons and arrested people on the construction site. Media was asked not to cross a certain line. In the video link below, a Unicorn Riot journalist, is complying with the demand. It appears he was arrested anyway.
From Red Warrior Camp’s facebook page:
livestream.com/...
BREAKING: Around 20 people have just been arrested at the site of the#NoDAPL lockdown, including medics and two Unicorn Riot journalists. Police have shut down all road access to the site and are carrying assault rifles and less-lethal weapons.
[...] They reported being walked up on from behind by officers holding semi automatic rifles pointed at them! Water protectors were arrested and are unarmed. Those locked down are still locked down.
The police are protecting the pipeline, not the people.
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2016 · 10:16:55 PM +00:00 · navajo
From Red Warrior Camp 25 minutes ago: “Attention Relatives. We still have 1 water protector locked down to the equipment. The entire support team has been arrested, including media and medics. Totaling 22 arrests. The police are not allowing folks to take water or check in on them.”
Video from Unicorn Riot:
From Sacred Stone Camp’s facebook page:
From Red Warrior Camp’s facebook page:
September 13, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Cody Hall
Organization: Red Warrior Camp
Voice Phone Number: (605) 220-2531
Email Address: RedWarriorCamp@gmail.com Social Media: Facebook.com/... , @ZuyaLutaOceti on Twitter
Mandan, ND… Water protectors stopped construction at two Dakota Access Pipeline sites today northwest of Mandan through nonviolent direct action. At approximately 10:30 a.m. CST, two water protectors “locked down” to heavy equipment at the first action site. One of the individuals was locked onto the machine for nearly 7 hours.
Trained medics, media, legal observers and police liaisons were on hand to offer support and were also arrested.
Separately, water protectors successfully and peacefully stopped construction at the second site. A worker pepper sprayed one of the water protectors before leaving the scene.
Law enforcement began to arrive within the hour, followed by a large bus load of police dressed in full riot gear. An initial police line was formed with officers toting pellet guns. Filing in behind them was a second line of officers pointing large semi-automatic rifles at the water protectors.
The water protectors were immediately told that they were trespassing and subject to arrest. Morton County Sheriff’s office confirmed that there were 22 water protectors in custody by 4:00 p.m. The majority of those arrested are charged with Criminal Trespass, a Class B Misdemeanor.
The two individuals who locked down to the equipment are charged with Criminal Trespass, Disorderly Conduct, and Obstruction of a Government Function.
The Morton County Jail booking process of the water protectors continued on into the evening hours. Jail officials informed the Camp’s legal team that the ND States Attorney, Al Koppy, had ordered that only a North Dakota licensed attorney could visit the jailed water protectors, which is a violation of their constitutional right to counsel of their choosing for initial consultation.
The volunteer legal team assisting the water protectors called upon Chad Nodland, a local attorney who was also met with resistance by Morton County Jail staff. Although some of the inmates had been processed, the jailers informed Nodland that he would have to wait until all 22 arrested were processed before he could speak to them individually. Morton County Sheriff’s Office refused to comment at press time. The water protectors’ bond hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. CST on Wednesday, September 14th at Morton County Court House in Mandan, ND.
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
~North Dakota v. Amy Goodman: Arrest Warrant Issued After Pipeline Coverage
It was also reported that members of Red Warrior camp have been arrested and that law enforcement check points are photographing people, perhaps to make mass arrests later. Activists are urged to avoid the check points.
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
The 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
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We are all stewards of the earth.
#noDAPL