Durango Protesters To Join Standing Rock For Thanksgiving

Authorities say they have left the bridge closed since late October because they are concerned about its structural integrity. They’ve performed sacred rituals.

The recent Dakota Access Pipeline battle has brought Native American groups into the national spotlight. Twenty-six protesters were hospitalized. How did it happen?

For many Native Americans pushing to block construction of the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline near the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s reservation in North Dakota, Thanksgiving Day serves as a reminder of centuries of broken promises.

Encampments have been set up to block the progress of the pipeline.

In 10 days, the gofundme campaign for the veterans’ event has raised $43,870 of the $100,000 goal. “It’s time to display that honor, courage and commitment we claim to represent”, the page reads. The tribe opposes the $3.8 billion pipeline that will skirt its reservation as it carries North Dakota oil to a shipping point in IL.

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Fort Yates is on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.

Those who are interested in reaching out to Standing Rock protesters can go to standingrock.org. “They talk about using non-lethal weapons, but when you’re talking about soaking people with freezing water in frigid temperatures, that’s life-threatening”.

He also says a bridge that is blocked by police prevented Sophia from getting care sooner, he calls that a human rights violation.

One protest was right here in Marquette in front of Wells Fargo. “It was a horrific scene”.

“This latest escalation in excessive police force and violence against peaceful water protectors just shows what the state is willing to do to protect the interests of oil companies”, said Alex Lundberg of Minneapolis, a friend of Wilansky. Suddenly, it detonated, according to witnesses. He told reporters shortly after the incident that her injuries were likely caused by an incendiary device concocted by the protestors themselves. “And then they shot a percussion grenade and it got her in the arm”. “She’s going to have to undergo many surgeries”, said Sophia Wilansky’s father, Wayne.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation are assisting with the investigation. “All the facts will be out there”.

Around 7:50 a.m., law enforcement observed protesters building a wooden bridge across the water to gain access to the hill, according to Rob Keller, a spokesman for the sheriff’s department.

They found one pound propane cylinders, including one that appeared to be intentionally punctured and Molotov cocktails near where the blast occurred.

“The only explosion the officers heard was on the protesters’ side”, Herr said.

However, Wayne Wilansky questioned Iverson’s contention that police refrained from using grenades.

John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice at the University of New Haven in CT, said the state needs to take a more active stance or the situation could deteriorate. One of the most serious cases involved a 21-year old woman.