EAGLE BUTTE, S.D. – This morning at approximately Noon, the Morton County Sheriff’s Office, officers deployed from other states, and the National Guard, descended upon protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline, located on highway 1806 near Cannon Ball, North Dakota. Hundreds of water protectors were subjected to a militarized police raid. The force began surrounding them using tanks, armored vehicles, and a swarm of tactical officers. They arrested protesters blockaded on the highway, many of whom were residing at one of the camp sites known as the 1806 camp.

Peaceful water protectors were subjected to the use of sonic guns, pepper spray, and the threat of automatic weapons. This latest action follows prior militarized police actions, including a Labor Day incident involving the use of attack dogs, pepper spray, and unlicensed security contractors hired by Dakota Access, LLC.

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman Harold Frazier expressed outrage at reported violations of his people’s civil liberties, which comes just two days after president Obama assured him during a face to face meeting that federal monitors were in place to prevent such actions. Frazier asked the United Nations for immediate intervention, saying,“The U.S. government promised to protect us through treaties, but they have failed us. That’s why we are asking the United Nations to send troops to protect our people from the brutalities inflicted on our people by State police and the National Guard.” He added, “Native Nations originally came into the United State through treaties and if the United States is not going to honor these treaties the Native Nations need to call on the United Nations for assistance.”

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal member and attorney for the Tribe, Nicole Ducheneaux, commented on the raid. “This militarized action against peaceably assembled, unarmed American citizens is unconscionable.”

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman Harold Frazier concluded, “Throughout this process we have peacefully prayed while demanding that the federal government uphold its trust responsibilities to the Great Sioux Nation. We can no longer stand by while the United States destroys our sacred sites and violates our traditional lands and pollutes our waters. We need justice. We need the world to stand with us to protect Native peoples’ basic human rights.”

Chairman Frazier commended the site protectors for their courage in the face of aggressive police action, and thanked them for their commitment to protecting the most valuable resource on earth; water. The chairman asks that anyone who can join the site protectors, to go to the camp to assist them in their efforts.

Darcy Totten
Founder, Activism Articulated
512.577.3107
darcy.totten@gmail.com

Posted by Wakíƞyaƞ Waánataƞ (Matt Remle- Lakota)

Matt Remle (Lakota) is an editor and writer for Last Real Indians and LRInspire. Follow @wakiyan7