Home#No DAPL Update: Shimmer of Hope: Construction Delays Possible; Bad News: Use of Rubber Bullets Inhumane, Unnecessary
#No DAPL Update: Shimmer of Hope: Construction Delays Possible; Bad News: Use of Rubber Bullets Inhumane, Unnecessary
November 6, 2016 healingmn News#No DAPL, Dakota Access Pipeline, Energy Transfer Partners, Indigenous Environmental Network, Missouri River, North Dakota National Guard, rubber bullets, Standing Rock, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Winona LaDuke
The Indigenous Environmental Network has posted a video with hopeful news about efforts to delay — and eventually stop — the Dakota Access Pipeline. Meanwhile, the Water Protectors are facing rubber bullets, mace and concussion grenades. And Winona LaDuke sends an Open Letter to members of North Dakota's law enforcement and National Guard appealing to their conscience.
We wrote yesterday about the Call for Immediate Help at Standing Rock as the Pipeline Approaches the Missouri. But there is good news, too, as it appears there will be several ways for DAPL opponents to delay and even stop the project. Kandi Mossett (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara – North Dakota) of the Indigenous Environmental Network posted a video yesterday with some important strategic updates. She did not want to give false hope, she said, but there are opportunities that offer a much needed "glimmer of hope."
The short version is this: There are several ways that the pipeline project could be delayed, and every delay costs Energy Transfer Partners money. The more delays, the better chance for killing the project. "We are really excited about the potential and possibility for delays," Mossett said.
The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers has asked Energy Transfer Partners to delay construction for 30 days, according to a report in Mother Jones.Here are some key ways the project could be delayed.
Stop the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from issuing a permit for DAPL to bore under the Missouri River. DAPL is just a few days away from arriving at the Missouri River. However, Mossett said, "when this company started building this pipeline, they never had the permit. They just said it was a formality." The Washington Office of the Army Corps of Engineers still has the authority to approve the easement under the Missouri River and to issue the permit to bore. Opponents are asking the Corps to not issue the permit, and to request a full Environmental Impact Statement on the boring.
President Obama's suggested rerouting of the pipeline would mean further delays. Mossett said that many people do not support a reroute, "but it is important for people to know that even uttering those word ["reroute the pipeline"] could effectively kill this project, because they [Energy Transfer Partners] could not possibly afford it." (See our earlier blog for details on Obama's statement.)
A DAPL construction site could be legally challenged. Mossett said that DAPL built a pad that could be partially on Army Corps of Engineers land. That needs to be investigated because they are not allowed to build on federal land, she said.
There is a possible challenge to DAPL's purchase of private land. Energy Transfer Partners bought the Cannon Ball Ranch, which has allowed them to dig as far as they have towards the Missouri River. Mossett said that land purchase could be an illegal land sale, potentially in violation of North Dakota's anti-corporate farming law. It is being disputed right now. (Anti-corporate farming laws keep corporations from buying farmland, but have exemptions. A Bismarck Tribune discussed the potential legal challenge, headlined: Attorney says DAPL land purchase violates anti-corporate farming law.)
Lets Talk About Rubber Bullets
Law enforcement officers are using rubber bullets against nonviolent Water Protectors opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline. Some might get the impression that this is somehow humane because it is not live ammunition. It is not humane. It is part of a highly militarized response which is out of proportion to the situation.
News reports from Standing Rock say one horse was injured so severely from a rubber bullet it had to be put down. A journalist covering the conflict was hit and knocked to the ground by a rubber bullet.
Here are a few stories and analysis:
Mother Jones: I Witnessed Cops Using Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets, and Sound Cannons Against Anti-Pipeline Protesters. ("According to multiple sources including the Los Angeles Times and the BBC, protesters' horses were shot at with rubber bullets. One horse's legs were so badly damaged it had to be euthanized. ")
Censored News: Rubber Bullets — Palestine, Ferguson and Standing Rock.
CBS News: Journalist shot with rubber bullets during N.D. pipeline protests. Here is the video.
Huffington Post: Morton County Sheriff Blames USACE For Police Violence At Standing Rock As Journalist Is Shot.
Open Letter to North Dakota Law Enforcement and National Guard
Winona LaDuke, Col. Ann Wright (Ret.) and Zoltan Grossman wrote an open letter to North Dakota law enforcement and National Guard, appealing to their conscience in their participation in the state's misguided actions against the Water Protectors. The letter was published in Indian Country Today.
It opens with the following:
So you joined law enforcement or the National Guard because you wanted to uphold the law, protect innocent civilians against the bad guys, and help your community in times of need. Instead, they're having you blockade unarmed people who are trying to hold a prayer vigil, chasing them with armored vehicles and ATVs, raiding their tipis and sweat lodges at gunpoint, and shooting them (and their horses) with pepper spray, concussion grenades, tasers, and rubber bullets. You thought you'd be the cop on the beat or the citizen soldier, and they've made you into the cavalry riding in with Custer.
Click on the link above for the full letter.
← A Call for Immediate Help at Standing Rock as the Pipeline Approaches the Missouri and Civil Rights Violations Escalate
Time to Amp Up Pressure on the Army Corps of Engineers to Stop DAPL →
2 thoughts on "#No DAPL Update: Shimmer of Hope: Construction Delays Possible; Bad News: Use of Rubber Bullets Inhumane, Unnecessary"
Michael K. Red Earth says:
This is hopeful information. I tried watching the video but it is no longer available or I am not allowed to view it. Subsequently, there are no concise directions of how I can help participate in the 4 suggested actions. Is there an address or contact we should write/call/email with our pleas for delay? Thank you advance for a reply.
Time to Amp Up Pressure on the Army Corps of Engineers to Stop DAPL | says:
[…] yesterday's blog, we wrote about the importance of delaying DAPL construction to drive up costs. Today, we outline […]