Hundreds are clashing with police at the protest site
Pepper sprayed, tear gassed, hosed down, shot with rubber bullets... solidarity with the #NoDAPL water protectors.… https://t.co/s52Ia0qgEm— Lovecraftian Hip Hop (@Lovecraftian Hip Hop) 1479713670.0
Law enforcement stationed at the Dakota Access Pipeline turned water cannons on protesters in freezing temperatures along with rubber bullets, tear-gas and percussion grenades in the latest clash with unarmed protesters. According to the Guardian, the cannons were deployed at around 6pm local time, as protesters attempted to remove one of two burned trucks from a bridge that blockaded the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The bridge is the most linear way to get from Standing Rock to Bismark, North Dakota. Police placed a barricade behind the trucks.
This is the latest bout of violence against the “water protectors,” the anti-drilling protesters fighting for the government to halt the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The concern over the potential poisoning of their water supply is palpable, as the members of the tribe erected several spiritual camps along the Missouri river and have been protesting for months. President Obama has yet to intervene.
The protest has captured national attention. Bernie Sanders recently made a surprise speech at the site.
LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, a member of the tribe, asked people to pray for her people.
“They were attacked with water cannons. It is 23 degrees out there with mace, rubber bullets, pepper spray, etc. They are being trapped and attacked. Pray for my people.”
Law enforcement countered by claiming that water cannons were used because protesters were starting fires around the bridge. Fires that, the protesters argued, were being used for warmth. The Sherrif’s department called the situation an “ongoing riot.” Meanwhile, an elder was reported as having gone into cardiac arrest because of the clash.
Twitter is, again, on the forefront of covering the situation as tweets and videos poured onto the social media platform. The videos, especially, are quite graphic, showing police blatantly spraying unarmed, freezing protesters with water cannons.
Video of water cannons being used on protectors in 26°F/-3°C at barricades at barricades in North Dakota ?:… https://t.co/PKGqt0lW22— Indigenous Environmental Network (@Indigenous Environmental Network) 1479701294.0
North Dakota police are currently spraying Native Americans w/water cannons, it's 26 degrees Fahrenheit. #NativeHeritageMonth #NoDAPL— tara houska (@tara houska) 1479691450.0
UPDATE FROM OCETI SAKOWIN MEDIC - Standing Rock EMT on the ground, medics working hard to keep Water Protectors war… https://t.co/66OvAVUx0D— Indigenous Environmental Network (@Indigenous Environmental Network) 1479698238.0
Alarming reports on use of water cannons in Standing Rock where temperatures are 26F/-3C! This may cause hypothermi… https://t.co/lO0MtgvQrY— Jamil Dakwar (@Jamil Dakwar) 1479703416.0
.@POTUS must protect the safety of Native Americans and their supporters who have gathered peacefully to oppose the… https://t.co/jtuaKj9ZDR— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1479694264.0
Photo from @bluefancyshawl on the front lines right now (she's ok). Looks like a horror film. #NoDAPL https://t.co/dGFwOHFkZK— Dr. Adrienne Keene (@Dr. Adrienne Keene) 1479697798.0
Drone footage showing water cannons being used on water protectors At the end of the clip, they try to shoot drone… https://t.co/mGjHHlX3Gy— Petty is Praxis (@Petty is Praxis) 1479707071.0
Concerned about reports of force against protesters in #StandingRock. Peaceful protest is a human right and police… https://t.co/KBVrY4hREI— Amnesty International (@Amnesty International) 1479698922.0
As a uniquely divided America approaches Thanksgiving this week, the violence playing out at Standing Rock serves as a God-awful reminder of the fragile history of the U.S.
Share on Facebook
