On October 29, the Dakota Resource Council hosted The Rally to Protect Our Future. Held in Bismarck, the rally was in support of the protests at Standing Rock. Featured speakers were Paul Seamans, a leader of Dakota Rural Action, and Lisa Deville, a leader in the Dakota Resource Council.
Paul Seamans spoke about his experiences at the camps and also his 5+ year battle with the Keystone XL pipeline.
Lisa Deville spoke about the impacts she faces living with oil and gas development on the Fort Berthold Reservation. Deville also spoke about how her reservation and other reservations are often disproportionately impacted by energy development.
More than 50 people participated in the rally.
The rally was effective in bringing together people from the Bismarck-Mandan community around the issue. The event also enabled people to show support for Standing Rock as well as to dispel myths about the protests.
Confrontation Between Militarized Police and Standing Rock Water Protectors
Just days prior to DRC’s rally, the Water Protectors and law enforcement had a confrontation, resulting in the arrest of more than 141 people. Water Protectors had blocked roads and set up camp in the route of the pipeline. In blocking roads and setting up the new camp in the pipeline route, the Water Protectors claimed eminent domain, citing the Treaty of Fort Laramie (1851), which gave the land along the pipeline route to the Lakota people. The U.S. Government does not currently recognize the Treaty of Fort Laramie.
Militarized law enforcement used rubber bullets, tear gas, and sound cannons to disperse Water Protectors. Several Water Protectors were injured in the clash. The fallout from the confrontation has prompted people from across the country to call on President Obama to stop the pipeline. In addition, following the skirmish, the United Nations and Amnesty International have announced they would send observers to document possible human rights violations against the Water Protectors by law enforcement.
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