Summary: On Saturday in Bismarck North Dakota conflict broke out between Native American protesters and private security guards. This conflict was over a 4 state 3.8 billion oil pipeline that destroyed burial and cultural sites of private Native lands, said Tribal Officials. During the protest four private security guards with two guard dogs were injured after several hundred protesters confronted construction crews at the site just outside Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, said Morton County Sheriff's spokeswoman Donnell Preskey. On the other hand protesters reported that six people had been bitten by guard dogs (including a young child) and at least 30 people were pepper sprayed, said Tribe spokesman Steve Sitting Bear. Contrary Preskey stated that law enforcement authorities had no reports of protesters being injured.... The tribe is challenging the Army Corps of Engineers' decision to grant permits for Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners' Dakota Access pipeline, which crosses the Dakotas and Iowa to Illinois, including near the reservation in southern North Dakota. A federal judge will rule before Sept. 9 whether construction can be halted on the Dakota Access pipeline.
"This demolition is devastating," Archambault said. "These grounds are the resting places of our ancestors. The ancient cairns and stone prayer rings there cannot be replaced. In one day, our sacred land has been turned into hollow ground."
Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said in a statement that "individuals crossed onto private property and accosted private security officers with wooden posts and flag poles."
"Any suggestion that today's event was a peaceful protest, is false," his statement said.
Analysis/Synthesis: I think it is extremely unfair that the people constructing the pipeline to construct on a very sacred and sentimental private place without the tribal peoples consent. I totally understand why the protesters are angered this is extremely important to them and their ancestors. This situation can be connected to when the Europeans came to the New World and destroyed Native communities and societies for their own benefit (EX: Hernán Cortés).
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/oil-pipeline-protest-turns-violent-north-dakota-n642626
I find it very sad that the government is disrupting sacred grounds in Native American reservations. These communities deserve to be respected. The use of force against these protesters and lack of action for stopping the pipeline is disappointing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very serious issue and it should have more attention paid to it. North Dakota deserves to have their burial grounds and cultural sites renovated.
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