Dakota Pipeline Protests

[PACOX]

This story hasn't really been getting attention.

Authorities used pepper spray and fired bean bags at activists demonstrating against a controversial North Dakota oil pipeline as the standoff there reached a new peak Thursday, according to officials.

Armed soldiers and police in riot gear removed the demonstrators using trucks, military Humvees, and buses Thursday afternoon, according to The Associated Press. Two helicopters and an airplane scanned the operation from the air.

At least 117 protesters had been arrested as of 8:15 p.m. local time (9:15 p.m. ET) as law enforcement slowly closed in and tensions escalated, the Morton County Sheriff's Department said in a statement.

"117 protesters have been arrested. Morton County will be utilizing other jails in this mass arrest operation," the department said in a statement.

The chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe criticized law enforcement's "militarized" response to the camp and called for demonstrations to remain peaceful, but stressed that activists would not give up their cause.

"Militarized law enforcement agencies moved in on water protectors with tanks and riot gear today. We continue to pray for peace," Dave Archambault II said in a statement Thursday evening.

"We won't step down from this fight," he added. "As peoples of this earth, we all need water. This is about our water, our rights, and our dignity as human beings."

Archambault also called on activists to "remain in peace and prayer." "Any act of violence hurts our case and is not welcome here," he said.

The incident continues to be ongoing, the sheriff's department said in its statement, and law enforcement was engaged in a situation with protesters at Backwater Bridge.

A woman who was being arrested pulled a .38 caliber revolver and fired three shots at law enforcement, "narrowly missing a sheriff's deputy," North Dakota State Emergency Services Spokeswoman Cecily Fong told NBC News. The woman was taken into custody and no shots were fired by law enforcement, she said.

The protesters were ousted from the camp that authorities said was on private property in the path of the pipeline late Thursday afternoon, Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier told the AP.

The sheriff said that while the camp was secure, officers were still dealing with protesters in the surrounding area, according to the AP. Kirchmeier added that authorities would maintain a presence in the area for the time being to keep protesters off the land. Fong confirmed to NBC News that the camp was cleared.

Protesters allegedly started two fires on the Backwater Bridge protest site and threw Molotov cocktails at law enforcement Thursday night, Fong said.

About 250 protesters had gathered at the camp and another 80 demonstrators with a dozen horses were at the site of a county road, according to a statement from the Morton County Sheriff's Department.

Protesters on horseback galloped toward the law enforcement line before wheeling around and some had begun throwing objects at the officers, Fong said. Demonstrators also allegedly set four DAPL construction vehicles ablaze, Fong said Thursday evening.

"They've definitely escalated, they're throwing rocks and debris," she said. A handful of officers suffered minor injuries, she said.

Officers fired bean bag rounds and used pepper spray on protesters, Fong said.

Authorities also used a long-range acoustic device with a high-pitched tone to disperse the protesters, who set tires on fire on the highway Thursday afternoon, according to a post on the Morton County Sheriff's Department Facebook page.

The department said they repeatedly told the demonstrators they were "free to go," asking them to move to a separate camp further south and let authorities put out the flames.

The protesters also set an area on fire near a bridge on a county road, according to a statement from the sheriff's department.

The protesters, comprised of a group that includes Native Americans and environmental activists, had been camped on private property since Sunday near the $3.8 billion Dakota Access Pipeline, near the town of Cannon Ball.

The 1,172-mile pipeline would run within a half-mile of the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. Opponents of the project say the pipeline could adversely impact drinking water and would disturb sacred burial sites.

Hundreds of protesters from Standing Rock and other tribes have set up camp for months in protest a few miles away from where Thursday's confrontation occurred, close to where the Missouri and Cannonball rivers meet.

Thursday's incident came less than a week after more than 80 people were arrested and authorities used pepper spray on demonstrators. The arrests came during a five-hour conflict with police and around 300 protesters, some of whom stubbornly parked cars on the highway near the camp to block authorities from reaching them, according to the AP. They also set a small fire at one of two blockades they set up on the highway.

The majority of the protesters were retreating from the area of confrontation on the highway outside the camp, but had not fully left the area of private land, according to the AP. About 200 protesters remained in the area, listening to tribal elders speak and praying as authorities continued to approach.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/...w-camp-n674066

Long story short, these has been an pretty big ongoing protest over the Dakota Access Pipeline. Protesters have been destroyin bridges, lighting stuff on fire, doing protester things. 100s of people have been arrested, even the presidential hopeful Jill Stein could be facing charges related to the protests.

[dwightyo39]

I've been seeing updates posted on FB by some of my NA friends. Seems like a nasty situation. Frankly, I don't blame them for protesting.

[ringpriest]

Obviously the protesters need more white rednecks with guns and bibles - protesting is just dandy as long as you have those.

[Wells]

Obviously the protesters need more white rednecks with guns and bibles - protesting is just dandy as long as you have those.

Was going to say, clearly they need to threaten people more.

[Ripster42]

This story hasn't really been getting attention.

.

You say that, but there's literally already been another thread on these forums claiming the exact same thing. One of the 2 "main" 3rd party candidates, jill stein, went to jail for it. There are regular reports over it, it just doesn't get much air time/front page news, because people don't really don't seem to give a shit.

[Darkspectre]

I live near the protest, and i can tell you it's a sham. There are public records available that refute all claims being made by the the protesters.

1. They claim the pipeline threatens their water supply. However, the supply in question is from the Fort Yates intake; which is being replaced by a newer state of the art intake at Mobridge more than 70 miles from the pipeline. This project has been in the works for near a decade, and is funded by US gov. grants to the tune of $30M+. The reason for the project is that in the mid 2000's the reservoir level dropped low enough during a drought that the intake at Fort Yates was unable to draw water. In mere months, the Fort Yates intake will be shut down permanently, as the other intake reaches 100% capacity. Another fact is, pipeline safety has vastly improved over the years; meaning the chances of a significant spill are remote and trending down. I think the actual statistics are like an incident of 500 barrels or more every 8 years, and an incident of less than 50 barrels every 3 years. Keep in mind these are statistics calculated from all pipelines networked across the US, including many older pipelines that do not have the safety features of anything built today.

2. They claim the route disturbs sacred sites. This again is easily proved false as the pipeline does not even run through the reservation land. 99% of the route is over privately owned land. Also, the pipeline is being run in a corridor where another existing pipeline and electrical transmission lines were constructed a long time ago. This means all the ground has already been excavated previously, so the chance of finding a sacred site is small. Even though the chance is small, the DAP has a process in place if any historical items are found. All finds are to be verified by a council consisting of archeologists, reps from all related tribes, and historians.

It should also be noted that the protest encampment is located near the small town of cannon ball. Which has 1 store for groceries & gas, which happens to be owned by tribal chairman Archabault. So he has a significant interest in prolonging the protest as he is making a lot of money off the protest.

[Kapadons]

Obviously the protesters need more white rednecks with guns and bibles - protesting is just dandy as long as you have those.

Because shooting at the cops, damaging private property, destroying company vehicles ,throwing stuff(including Molotov cocktails) at police, and blocking the highway are exactly what Bundy was doing

/s

[TirielWoW]

2. They claim the route disturbs sacred sites. This again is easily proved false as the pipeline does not even run through the reservation land. 99% of the route is over privately owned land. Also, the pipeline is being run in a corridor where another existing pipeline and electrical transmission lines were constructed a long time ago. This means all the ground has already been excavated previously, so the chance of finding a sacred site is small. Even though the chance is small, the DAP has a process in place if any historical items are found. All finds are to be verified by a council consisting of archeologists, reps from all related tribes, and historians.

Two things, speaking from experience:

1) Because the land in question is private, even if they find a sacred site, that won't stop the construction. All Federal Law requires the builders to do is excavate 1% of the site and save those relics. It's perfectly legal to plow under everything else, and the government can't stop you (and the only reason why they're required to excavate the 1% is that they're taking federal funds - if it was a private enterprise, they wouldn't be required to do anything).

2) You're assuming that surveying was done by a reputable company, and that everything was done properly and above board. I can tell you stories - not just one, but multiple stories - of situations where CRM firms were either lazy or taking kickbacks and didn't do their damn jobs when surveying land for federal projects. Probably the most egregious one I heard about was where a CRM firm somehow - somehow - missed a half-mile wide toxic waste dump along the planned route for I-49 through Northwest Louisiana. If they had actually walked the land (i.e. did their jobs properly), there is no way they could have missed the dump site. It wasn't hidden.

[Gamdwelf]

Fuck oil and natural gas, Burn the pipes to the ground.

[Milchshake]

Obviously the protesters need more white rednecks with guns and bibles - protesting is just dandy as long as you have those.

And don't forget kids, Oregon was founded as a racist utopia. When Oregon was granted statehood in 1859, it was the only state in the Union admitted with a constitution that forbade black people from living, working, or owning property there. It was illegal for black people even to move to the state until 1926.

Those Dakota are trying hard though.

[ringpriest]

Because shooting at the cops, damaging private property, destroying company vehicles ,throwing stuff(including Molotov cocktails) at police, and blocking the highway are exactly what Bundy was doing

/s

"FBI releases video footage of LaVoy Finicum shooting"
"Oregon militia's behavior increasingly brazen as public property destroyed"
"Feds release pictures of $6 million in damages Bundy militants caused to Oregon reserve"
"FBI Investigates Cliven Bundy Supporters Who Allegedly Pointed Guns At Federal Officers"
"Armed Protesters Shut Down Nevada Freeway"

Yes.

[PACOX]

"FBI releases video footage of LaVoy Finicum shooting"
"Oregon militia's behavior increasingly brazen as public property destroyed"
"Feds release pictures of $6 million in damages Bundy militants caused to Oregon reserve"
"FBI Investigates Cliven Bundy Supporters Who Allegedly Pointed Guns At Federal Officers"
"Armed Protesters Shut Down Nevada Freeway"

Yes.

Wait they aren't called terrorist but...I'm not even going to go there.

[Vynny]

Because shooting at the cops, damaging private property, destroying company vehicles ,throwing stuff(including Molotov cocktails) at police, and blocking the highway are exactly what Bundy was doing

/s

Well there was that one incident where part of Bundy's group was making a supply run, and one of them ended up getting killed by the police because he shot at them, and no one cares because guess what, you take a shot at police then you're signing your own death warrant. End of story.

[Theinquisition]

I live near the protest, and i can tell you it's a sham. There are public records available that refute all claims being made by the the protesters.

1. They claim the pipeline threatens their water supply. However, the supply in question is from the Fort Yates intake; which is being replaced by a newer state of the art intake at Mobridge more than 70 miles from the pipeline. This project has been in the works for near a decade, and is funded by US gov. grants to the tune of $30M+. The reason for the project is that in the mid 2000's the reservoir level dropped low enough during a drought that the intake at Fort Yates was unable to draw water. In mere months, the Fort Yates intake will be shut down permanently, as the other intake reaches 100% capacity. Another fact is, pipeline safety has vastly improved over the years; meaning the chances of a significant spill are remote and trending down. I think the actual statistics are like an incident of 500 barrels or more every 8 years, and an incident of less than 50 barrels every 3 years. Keep in mind these are statistics calculated from all pipelines networked across the US, including many older pipelines that do not have the safety features of anything built today.

2. They claim the route disturbs sacred sites. This again is easily proved false as the pipeline does not even run through the reservation land. 99% of the route is over privately owned land. Also, the pipeline is being run in a corridor where another existing pipeline and electrical transmission lines were constructed a long time ago. This means all the ground has already been excavated previously, so the chance of finding a sacred site is small. Even though the chance is small, the DAP has a process in place if any historical items are found. All finds are to be verified by a council consisting of archeologists, reps from all related tribes, and historians.

It should also be noted that the protest encampment is located near the small town of cannon ball. Which has 1 store for groceries & gas, which happens to be owned by tribal chairman Archabault. So he has a significant interest in prolonging the protest as he is making a lot of money off the protest.

I'm glad someone here has done their reading!!!

I've had a lot of friends posting about this in their FB as well. From what I've also read it seems that the tribe was offered 10 million to run the pipeline through their land. They then asked for 50 and the oil company turned them down, so...they started crocodile tear protests. Additionally, ive read that the pipeline is supposed to be buried 50 feet under the water table anyway which mitigates almost all risk to the water supply.

I'm about tired of hearing the "evil whiteman!!!" bullshit from these protest groups. I refuse to be held accountable for the sins of dead men who im not even related to. If they want to declare me their enemy, fine ill be there enemy and support any and all legislation supporting the pipeline.

- - - Updated - - -

Fuck oil and natural gas, Burn the pipes to the ground.

Yeah that'll teach em!!! /s

Totally wont end up with dead or maimed protestors

[Vynny]

Two things, speaking from experience:

1) Because the land in question is private, even if they find a sacred site, that won't stop the construction. All Federal Law requires the builders to do is excavate 1% of the site and save those relics. It's perfectly legal to plow under everything else, and the government can't stop you (and the only reason why they're required to excavate the 1% is that they're taking federal funds - if it was a private enterprise, they wouldn't be required to do anything).

2) You're assuming that surveying was done by a reputable company, and that everything was done properly and above board. I can tell you stories - not just one, but multiple stories - of situations where CRM firms were either lazy or taking kickbacks and didn't do their damn jobs when surveying land for federal projects. Probably the most egregious one I heard about was where a CRM firm somehow - somehow - missed a half-mile wide toxic waste dump along the planned route for I-49 through Northwest Louisiana. If they had actually walked the land (i.e. did their jobs properly), there is no way they could have missed the dump site. It wasn't hidden.

And? If it's not on their reservation then they have no right to decide what get's done on that property. Imagine if a Christian church tried blocking a company from building something on private property that they owned because that church and it's followers considered it a sacred site. No one would care because they don't own that property. You can't stop people from doing what they want with their property just because some group somewhere has an emotional or spiritual connection to it. On top of that, if the sites were that important to the tribe then they should've either tried to gain private ownership of them or renegotiated the border of their reservation to include them in it, but they didn't despite having at least decades worth of time to do so and now here we are with them losing out because they seem to think that they can claim right's over property that they have no ownership of.

[Theinquisition]

And? If it's not on their reservation then they have no right to decide what get's done on that property. Imagine if a Christian church tried blocking a company from building something on private property that they owned because that church and it's followers considered it a sacred site. No one would care because they don't own that property. You can't stop people from doing what they want with their property just because some group somewhere has an emotional or spiritual connection to it. On top of that, if the sites were that important to the tribe then they should've either tried to gain private ownership of them or renegotiated the border of their reservation to include them in it, but they didn't despite having at least decades worth of time to do so and now here we are with them losing out because they seem to think that they can claim right's over property that they have no ownership of.

I also find it interesting that no one seems to care that these "protesters" are also trespassing on private property and making all kinds of mess.

[Masark]

1. They claim the pipeline threatens their water supply. However, the supply in question is from the Fort Yates intake; which is being replaced by a newer state of the art intake at Mobridge more than 70 miles from the pipeline.

70 miles is nothing

There was a relatively small (about 1500 barrels) pipeline leak up here recently. It shut down water supplies over 200 miles down river for weeks.

[Citizen T]

Well there was that one incident where part of Bundy's group was making a supply run, and one of them ended up getting killed by the police because he shot at them, and no one cares because guess what, you take a shot at police then you're signing your own death warrant. End of story.

I don't know if you honestly believe what you said here or if you're making up crap to make the Oregon group look even worse. Finicum never shot at anyone. He did make motions twice towards a pocket where he had a weapon but never drew it out. He was shot by the FBI but he never even drew his weapon.

[Deleted]

Fuck their sacred sites.

[Gamdwelf]

Blow it all up.