The federal government says they will arrest protesters after Dec. 5, 2016 for trespassing. They will also be prosecuted. Native activists claim they will stand and fight. The protests at North Dakota has grabbed the attention of celebrities and politicians including, Jane Fonda, Bernie Sanders, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Kennedy Jr., and Susan Sarandan. The world-wide press is reporting from the protest lines.
The $4 Billion "Dakota Access Pipeline" project began in 2014. It would transport oil from North Dakota to Illinois. That pipeline would be built under the Missouri River which is the main water supply for the "Standing Rock Sioux Tribe." Their concern is that if the pipeline breaks, it could damage the water and put tribal members in danger. President Obama stepped in and halted the building of the pipeline to find other solutions. However, the federal government intervened and the pipeline construction has continued. 140 Native American and non-native protesters have been arrested as the stand-off continues. The cost of police enforcement has risen to $15 million and a contingent of Native Veterans has been deployed to the protest site.
Click photos below for news.
(Former Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders speaks for Native Americans.
Huffington Post photo.).
Huffington Post photo.).
No comments:
Post a Comment