"On this day, and since the beginning, standing for the water: Joye Braun, Tania Aubid, Ladonna Allard," wrote the Indigenous Environmental Network. (Photo: Toni Cervantes via IEN/Twitter)
Feb 21, 2017
Faced with an imminent evacuation deadline, Indigenous opponents of the Dakota Access pipeline are vowing to stand their ground despite threats of arrest and possible violence.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Tuesday refused to extend the Wednesday 2pm GMT deadline for the few hundred remaining water protectors to vacate the Oceti Sakowin camp, claiming that the camp is at risk of flooding. Representatives have asked for an extension, saying they can clear out without the Corps' help, but need more time.
Meanwhile, the activists say they are surrounded by law enforcement with reports of an increased presence of federal Bureau of Indian Affairs vehicles in the surrounding area.
"We have 48 hours before militarized law enforcement raid Oceti Sakowin camp. Elders and children need protection," states a video that was distributed on Monday by women from the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.
"After the deadline for February 22 at 2pm, we are all at risk of facing arrest, police brutality, federal charges and prison time," declares one of the women.
"In the history of colonization, they've always given us two options," said another. "Give up our land or go to jail, give up our rights or go to jail. And now, give up our water, or go to jail. We are not criminals."
The video concludes with a plea for other protectors and media to come to the camp before the forced evacuation, saying: "We need your help."
Throughout the months-long resistance effort, pipeline opponents have protested through legal channels as well as peaceful civil disobedience. In return, they have faced dog attacks, water cannons in subzero temperatures, and tear gas, in addition to arrest and trumped up charges.
But tensions have escalated since newly-elected President Donald Trump issued an executive order last month calling for the completion of the controversial pipeline, which the tribe says infringes on treaty rights, and threatens to pollute their water and that of 17 million Americans.
Many say that Wednesday could be the protectors' "last stand."
"They don't understand people are willing to die here," one 90-year-old woman toldThe Intercept, which on Tuesday published a separate video documenting the police build-up. "They don't understand we will not back down. We have our ancestors with us and we are in prayer that Tunkashila (Great Spirit in Lakota) will guide us in our freedom."
Others described the situation on the ground as a "war zone," with police and snipers hovering on the perimeter of the camp.
In addition to the Indigenous protectors, U.S. military veterans have also returned to the camp and have vowed to "hold the line with our brothers and sisters in the spirit of peace and unity."
Updates on the unfolding situation are being shared with the hashtag #NoDAPL.
Forced removal isn't just in the history books. It's happening tomorrow on treaty lands at Standing Rock. #NoDAPL
-- Ruth Hopkins (@RuthHHopkins) February 21, 2017
\u201cWe are surrounded by federal & state law enforcement. Our spirits remain high. Indigenous peoples have not and will never be broken. #NoDAPL\u201d— tara houska \u1516\u1433\u140c\u1474 (@tara houska \u1516\u1433\u140c\u1474) 1487712031
Join Us: News for people demanding a better world
Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place. We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference. Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Lauren McCauley
Lauren McCauley is a former senior editor for Common Dreams covering national and international politics and progressive news. She is now the Editor of Maine Morning Star. Lauren also helped produce a number of documentary films, including the award-winning Soundtrack for a Revolution and The Hollywood Complex, as well as one currently in production about civil rights icon James Meredith. Her writing has been featured on Newsweek, BillMoyers.com, TruthDig, Truthout, In These Times, and Extra! the newsletter of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. She currently lives in Kennebunk, Maine with her husband, two children, a dog, and several chickens.
Faced with an imminent evacuation deadline, Indigenous opponents of the Dakota Access pipeline are vowing to stand their ground despite threats of arrest and possible violence.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Tuesday refused to extend the Wednesday 2pm GMT deadline for the few hundred remaining water protectors to vacate the Oceti Sakowin camp, claiming that the camp is at risk of flooding. Representatives have asked for an extension, saying they can clear out without the Corps' help, but need more time.
Meanwhile, the activists say they are surrounded by law enforcement with reports of an increased presence of federal Bureau of Indian Affairs vehicles in the surrounding area.
"We have 48 hours before militarized law enforcement raid Oceti Sakowin camp. Elders and children need protection," states a video that was distributed on Monday by women from the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.
"After the deadline for February 22 at 2pm, we are all at risk of facing arrest, police brutality, federal charges and prison time," declares one of the women.
"In the history of colonization, they've always given us two options," said another. "Give up our land or go to jail, give up our rights or go to jail. And now, give up our water, or go to jail. We are not criminals."
The video concludes with a plea for other protectors and media to come to the camp before the forced evacuation, saying: "We need your help."
Throughout the months-long resistance effort, pipeline opponents have protested through legal channels as well as peaceful civil disobedience. In return, they have faced dog attacks, water cannons in subzero temperatures, and tear gas, in addition to arrest and trumped up charges.
But tensions have escalated since newly-elected President Donald Trump issued an executive order last month calling for the completion of the controversial pipeline, which the tribe says infringes on treaty rights, and threatens to pollute their water and that of 17 million Americans.
Many say that Wednesday could be the protectors' "last stand."
"They don't understand people are willing to die here," one 90-year-old woman toldThe Intercept, which on Tuesday published a separate video documenting the police build-up. "They don't understand we will not back down. We have our ancestors with us and we are in prayer that Tunkashila (Great Spirit in Lakota) will guide us in our freedom."
Others described the situation on the ground as a "war zone," with police and snipers hovering on the perimeter of the camp.
In addition to the Indigenous protectors, U.S. military veterans have also returned to the camp and have vowed to "hold the line with our brothers and sisters in the spirit of peace and unity."
Updates on the unfolding situation are being shared with the hashtag #NoDAPL.
Forced removal isn't just in the history books. It's happening tomorrow on treaty lands at Standing Rock. #NoDAPL
-- Ruth Hopkins (@RuthHHopkins) February 21, 2017
\u201cWe are surrounded by federal & state law enforcement. Our spirits remain high. Indigenous peoples have not and will never be broken. #NoDAPL\u201d— tara houska \u1516\u1433\u140c\u1474 (@tara houska \u1516\u1433\u140c\u1474) 1487712031
Lauren McCauley
Lauren McCauley is a former senior editor for Common Dreams covering national and international politics and progressive news. She is now the Editor of Maine Morning Star. Lauren also helped produce a number of documentary films, including the award-winning Soundtrack for a Revolution and The Hollywood Complex, as well as one currently in production about civil rights icon James Meredith. Her writing has been featured on Newsweek, BillMoyers.com, TruthDig, Truthout, In These Times, and Extra! the newsletter of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. She currently lives in Kennebunk, Maine with her husband, two children, a dog, and several chickens.
Faced with an imminent evacuation deadline, Indigenous opponents of the Dakota Access pipeline are vowing to stand their ground despite threats of arrest and possible violence.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Tuesday refused to extend the Wednesday 2pm GMT deadline for the few hundred remaining water protectors to vacate the Oceti Sakowin camp, claiming that the camp is at risk of flooding. Representatives have asked for an extension, saying they can clear out without the Corps' help, but need more time.
Meanwhile, the activists say they are surrounded by law enforcement with reports of an increased presence of federal Bureau of Indian Affairs vehicles in the surrounding area.
"We have 48 hours before militarized law enforcement raid Oceti Sakowin camp. Elders and children need protection," states a video that was distributed on Monday by women from the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.
"After the deadline for February 22 at 2pm, we are all at risk of facing arrest, police brutality, federal charges and prison time," declares one of the women.
"In the history of colonization, they've always given us two options," said another. "Give up our land or go to jail, give up our rights or go to jail. And now, give up our water, or go to jail. We are not criminals."
The video concludes with a plea for other protectors and media to come to the camp before the forced evacuation, saying: "We need your help."
Throughout the months-long resistance effort, pipeline opponents have protested through legal channels as well as peaceful civil disobedience. In return, they have faced dog attacks, water cannons in subzero temperatures, and tear gas, in addition to arrest and trumped up charges.
But tensions have escalated since newly-elected President Donald Trump issued an executive order last month calling for the completion of the controversial pipeline, which the tribe says infringes on treaty rights, and threatens to pollute their water and that of 17 million Americans.
Many say that Wednesday could be the protectors' "last stand."
"They don't understand people are willing to die here," one 90-year-old woman toldThe Intercept, which on Tuesday published a separate video documenting the police build-up. "They don't understand we will not back down. We have our ancestors with us and we are in prayer that Tunkashila (Great Spirit in Lakota) will guide us in our freedom."
Others described the situation on the ground as a "war zone," with police and snipers hovering on the perimeter of the camp.
In addition to the Indigenous protectors, U.S. military veterans have also returned to the camp and have vowed to "hold the line with our brothers and sisters in the spirit of peace and unity."
Updates on the unfolding situation are being shared with the hashtag #NoDAPL.
Forced removal isn't just in the history books. It's happening tomorrow on treaty lands at Standing Rock. #NoDAPL
-- Ruth Hopkins (@RuthHHopkins) February 21, 2017
\u201cWe are surrounded by federal & state law enforcement. Our spirits remain high. Indigenous peoples have not and will never be broken. #NoDAPL\u201d— tara houska \u1516\u1433\u140c\u1474 (@tara houska \u1516\u1433\u140c\u1474) 1487712031
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.