Pipeline protest site a city unto itself with school, meals

Horses graze early on the morning of September 14, 2016, at the Oceti Sakowin camp near the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota, where thousands of people are camped in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in opposition to the Dakota Access pipeline project. Currently, the newly protested Dakota Access pipeline is creating strife across the country, and has been suggested to be a reflection of the Keystone disaster.

The pipeline runs through tribal land that past treaties promised for native peoples “for as long as the grass shall grow and the water run”.

Granting the injunction would threaten the entire $3.8 billion project at a point when construction is nearing completion, the company said. Dakota Access LLP, the consortium building the DAPL, applied for the restraining order on an ex parte basis on August 15, citing demonstrations earlier in August that effectively shut down construction near the Oahe Crossing in North Dakota, where the DAPL is planned to cross the Missouri River and a dammed portion of the river known as Lake Oahe.

It would cross over 200 bodies of water, including the Missouri River. She says she’s been demonstrating to protect tribal rights since she was 6-years old. They also feel it poses risky environmental risks because the pipeline would run under the Missouri River, which also serves as the tribe’s water source.

“Mni wiconi” – “Water is life” – has become one of the rallying cries of those opposing the pipeline. The Army Corps made similar statements in its legal filings. The Army Corps ignored EPA and Interior.

Meanwhile, the brutality and ruthlessness continues at the hands of those like the Frost Kennels of OH and their ex-police and military dog handlers who’ve been hired to sic their trained German shepherd guard dogs on peacefully protesting men, women, elders and children from all races and nations who have begun to gather in ever-greater numbers to protest what is going on.

At Tuesday’s protest, Jasilyn Charger, 20, of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, grew tearful while telling the crowd “there will be no warning for my people” if the pipeline breaks and pollutes their water.

“We can not continue to have the fossil fuel industry control our lands, the possibility of a healthy Earth for current and future generations”.

The temporary policy victory hasn’t dulled the number of people coming to the protest site, according to Standing Rock tribal historian LaDonna Brave Bull Allard. Gloves, hats, scarves, socks and rain suits for men, women and children are also requested. The County Sheriff set up a roadblock, and used racial profiling to disrupt our people’s peaceful travels to and from home. Given the background, we had serious doubts that the state would treat our people fairly and reasonably.

The Dakota Access dispute is cresting 10 months after President Barack Obama rejected TransCanada Corp.’s plans for the Keystone XL pipeline, which had faced opposition in Nebraska.

Right now, the Obama Administration has placed the project on hold. Authors also should include their full name, age, occupation and relevant organizational memberships. Submissions should include a portrait-type photograph of the author.