Dakota Access Pipeline's hired security turned dogs and pepper spray on a crowd observing the 153rd anniversary of the White Stone Hill Massacre of more than 300 Dakota men, women and children. North Dakota authorities made no arrests. Photos: Tomas Alejo and Debra White Plume (courtesy)
Law clamps down
By Talli Nauman
Native Sun News Today
Health & Environment Editor
nsweekly.com RAPID CITY –– Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) critics here got the jump on a two-week span of Global Solidarity Actions slated for Sept. 3-17, with a demonstration Aug. 30, shoring up the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s effort to keep the private infrastructure project from being built. Then, just as the two-week series of rallies got underway, a private security force action Sept. 3 at the pipeline construction site near Standing Rock thwarted the tribe’s grassroots supporters, who were observing the anniversary of a massacre of than 300 Dakota men, women and children. “Today, as we offered prayers to commemorate the 153rd anniversary of the Whitestone Hill Massacre against the Ihanktonwan Dakota peoples on the banks of the Cannon Ball River, a call to action was made to stand and block bulldozers as they plowed through an area containing ancient burial and cultural sites,” the Red Warrior Camp said in a written statement. The organizers described the scene this way: “At approximately 3 p.m., water protectors successfully stopped Dakota Access pipeline construction as it reached Highway 1806 through nonviolent direct action and mass assembly. “In that process, private security employed by Dakota Access, LLC, a subsidiary of Energy Transfer Partners, deployed dogs, pepper spray and physical assault against the water protectors. “According to the most recent update, six water protectors were bitten by dogs, a dozen or more pepper sprayed and numerous were physically assaulted; which included women.” The organizers interviewed a North Dakota State Trooper, who said, “The only comment I have is that people trespassed and workers were hurt.” When pressed about the use of excessive force and attack dogs by a private security firm, the trooper referred reporters to the Morton County Sheriff. The sheriff’s office made no arrests. “While no arrests were made at the scene, we are actively investigating the incident and individuals who organized and participated in this unlawful event,” said Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier. The sheriff’s office recounted security guards’ testimony of being hit by blunt objects and threats to their dogs. “Any suggestion that today’s event was a peaceful protest is false. This was more like a riot than a protest,” Kirchmeier said. “Individuals crossed onto private property and accosted private security officers with wooden posts and flag poles. The aggression and violence displayed here today is unlawful and should not be repeated,” he said. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe filed an emergency motion coinciding with the incident, asking for a temporary restraining order to prevent further destruction of the tribe’s sacred sites by DAPL. It alleged that the company “brazenly used bulldozers to destroy our burial sites, prayer sites and culturally significant artifacts.”
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