Courtesy Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
Standing Rock Sioux Chairman David Archambault II is condemning the tactics used against unarmed water protectors by police, including rubber bullets and pepper spray.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s Response to Treatment of Protesters

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
10/24/16

Since Saturday October 22, 127 water protectors have been arrested. There have been multiple reports that peaceful protesters were met with violence. The statement below is from the Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Dave Archambault II.

The militarization of local law enforcement and enlistment of multiple law enforcements agencies from neighboring states is needlessly escalating violence and unlawful arrests against peaceful protesters at Standing Rock. We do not condone reports of illegal actions, but believe the majority of peaceful protesters are reacting to strong-arm tactics and abuses by law enforcement.

Thousands of water protectors have joined the Tribe in solidarity against DAPL, without incident or serious injury. Yet, North Dakota law enforcement have proceeded with a disproportionate response to their nonviolent exercise of their First Amendment rights, even going as far as labeling them rioters and calling their every action illegal.

We are disappointed to see that our state and congressional delegations and Gov. Jack Dalrymple have failed to ensure the safety and rights of the citizens engaged in peaceful protests who were arrested on Saturday. Their lack of leadership and commitment to creating a dialogue towards a peaceful solution reflects not only the unjust historical narrative against Native Americans, but a dangerous trend in law enforcement tactics across America.

For these reasons, we believe the situation at Standing Rock deserves the immediate and full attention of the U.S. Department of Justice. Furthermore, the DOJ should impose an injunction to all developments at the pipeline site to keep ALL citizens – law enforcement and protesters—safe. The DOJ should be enlisted and expected to investigate the overwhelming reports and videos demonstrating clear strong-arm tactics, abuses and unlawful arrests by law enforcement.

Preventing government agencies from stripping protesters and tribal members of their constitutional rights to organize and protect our sacred places and water is paramount to both U.S. citizens and tribal sovereignty.

RELATED: DAPL Crackdown Continues With Rubber Bullets and Mace As Water Protectors Form New Front Line

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AnnaK's picture
AnnaK
Submitted by AnnaK on
Good Afternoon, I came across the following on FB-read the article and I would like to know if someone, anyone can tell me how much of this is true. http://countercurrentnews.com/2016/10/cops-mass-arrest-brutally-pepper-spray-83-native-americans-praying-end-illegal-dakota-access-pipeline/# Thank you-most sincerely Anna Krause
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boujoie's picture
boujoie
Submitted by boujoie on
For me, when I look from the bigger picture perspective, NoDAPL is being a catalyst for US ALL to wake up. Wake up from the smoky mirrors these events are providing; wake up to the judgments with which we're engaging; wake up to the Protectors' willingness to resolve the pipeline situation peacefully, through prayer, no matter what obstacles are being thrown at them. How many of US want to fight back? How many of US are judging one faction over another as being right or wrong, good or bad? How many of US are moved to pray for the welfare and Greater Good for ALL Concerned? I believe that every person who indulges in judging, condemning or criticizing the posturing of the enforcers is actually supporting it's continuation ~ fear/anger/hate/rage FEED the very thing we want to stop! I believe that if each of US who are feeling connected with these events unfolding at Standing Rock, gave 5 minutes to prayer every hour, with compassionate forgiveness for ALL, this situation would collapse into a "NO THING". LOVE is the ONLY position that dissolves fear. It has taken me 44 years, since I was awakened, to embrace these Truths. The Protectors are showing US ALL how to BE LOVE!!! This awakening involves each one of US. What we are seeing outside of ourSelves, is also INSIDE ourSelves. I believe that by doing our inner work, breaking apart all negativity back into Creator's enfoldment, also dissolves the outer. There is NO OTHER!!! Our greatest teachings of every tradition tell us this Truth. God is LOVE. Mitakuye Oyasin. In Lak'Ech. Aloha. Namaste. WE ARE ONE ~ no matter what it looks like on the surface! With Great Gratitude and Many Blessings to US ALL as we come to embrace the ONE mission for which we all came ~ to BE atONEment with our Mother Earth and ALL THAT WE ARE. ~Joie RoundStar~
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Gina Delapinia
Submitted by Gina Delapinia on
Anna K...It is all 100% true, I was there that morning. The unprovoked brutality by the police on prayerful people was uncalled for. There were 83 arrested on the field that morning, several elders, woman and children injured , and had to be hauled out by atv or truck, after running away from police. the trip back to the road is a few miles and we were chased by armored trucks and armed police that entire distance...Also be very careful who you get your reports from, any native directives or inside directives would be accurate, main stream media etc is not. We tried live streaming, texting,fb messages etc. and they were all intercepted, I had very little communication with anyone outside of camp the entire time. and they are still monitoring as video etc I have posted since dissappears..
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