Peaceful Prayer at Dakota Access Pipeline Disrupted by Police
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Currents /
29 Sep 2016
Water protectors holding a flag
Published September 29, 2916
MORTON COUNTY, NORTH DAKOTA – This past Sunday morning, September 25, was cold and windy, and after several days of rain stopped, about 300 protectors from Oceti Sakowin, Red Warrior, and Sacred Stone camps along with other supporters from surrounding camps, decided that strong prayers were needed at the site where construction has been continuing on the Dakota Access Pipeline. The group formed a car caravan and traveled to two construction sites along County Highways 6 and 134 near unincorporated community of St. Anthony in Morton County. They were met by more than 50 police from the Morton County Sheriff’s Department, North Dakota Highway Patrol and the National Guard with a military style vehicle. As a line of police officers moved toward the group, they held their space with signs and songs. Construction workers ran away from their work sites when the group arrived.
Youth Council holding their banner in front of the pipeline
By using footage from a camera drone and mapping software, Myron Dewey of Digital Smoke Signals has proof the company is violating the Federal Appeals Court Order on September 16 to stop construction within 20 miles of Lake Oahe. He believes they are working 17.3 miles from the lake. When the group circled to offer prayers and song, a police helicopter circled above, and police took photographs of all car license plates.
“We came here today to offer prayers to our creator to stop this construction, and to have our women plant trees and corn for the coming generations to enjoy. That is why we are here. We are not violent, they are harassing us while we offer prayers,” said Galeson Eaglestar (Oglala Lakota).
Prayers sung after corn is planted
“We were not shown any aggression by this group. There were no incidents that I’m aware of”, said Lt. Tom Iverson of the North Dakota Highway Patrol. Yet Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeir told the Bismark Tribune that security officers claimed they saw water protectors armed with guns and knives during this action, and that his department received reports of gun shots fired. Kandi Moffett of the Indigenous Environment Movement stressed that “These protests are peaceful and prayerful. They are not violent. There are no guns.
A line of young trees planted by women
Contradictory reports and actual distortions of the truth are being reported to local North Dakota media sources by police authorities as well as the Dakota Access Pipeline. The youth council within the Oceti Sakowin has been successful in planning and implementing peaceful and prayerful actions against the pipeline.
Rezpecting water
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4 Comments
I give thanks for your reporting of this story, Nanette. May you be blessed!
Thank you to Lieutenant Tom Iverson with the North Dakota Highway Patrol who stated the facts as they are. These are Peaceful Protectors of the Land.
I have also sent prayer requests online to local Christian Radio Stations for prayers by other viewers and supporters. Who will be praying randomly for the coming months as we meet with government officials and the 567 Federally Recognized Tribes. As we all may come to a peaceful and useful resolution.
I, myself, continue with my heartfelt prayers. My heart is with ALL OF MY PEOPLE.
I thought the Police State and Local were there to PROTECT the people. NOT lie about them and really stretching the truth when they say that the Protectors (not the police obviously) have guns, knives, etc. It looks to me like Custer has been reborn through our own Police Forces…..then they turn a blind eye to the Security Company that brought in dogs to attack anyone and everyone. The elderly and the children included!!! What is WRONG with North Dakota Government????????? The Indian Wars were over many many decades ago!!! Now our own Government is intent on starting another one. Hard to do when the people are only praying. Are the police going to start attacking our Churches soon also????????
I sincerely hope the federal government agencies have been contacted about this breach of the peace perpetrated by the local law enforcement agencies. This really sickens me. I can’t write more as I’m too damn angry, except to say that the sheriff is the anti-thesis of real law enforcement; He’s real PIG as we used to say back in the ’70’s.