National Guard activated to oppose protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline
Cannon Ball, ND – On Sept. 8, at the Standing Rock encampment to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline, the sky is deep velvet studded with the endless stars of the Milky Way, when a public address system cackles, stirring the camp. Indigenous people and their supporters are not here to sleep under the cold sky. They are here to protect the water and stop the Dakota Access pipeline.
Protesters go near the site of the bulldozers to protect the water or to bear witness. The previous day's rains did the protectors’ work today. The ground was too wet for digging and the bulldozers stayed idle. The camp though, is very much alive and there are always tasks to be done. The camp is a village of 1000 tents. The vast majority of the tents are occupied by members of the 129 distinct Native peoples whose flags line the entrance road. All are standing together to stop the Dakota Access Pipe Line.
Today the camp was able to refuel and prepare for what all understand will be an uncertain day tomorrow. The Governor of North Dakota is expected to deploy the National Guard to support continued work on the pipeline.
This National Guard activation comes on the same day that a federal judge will act on an injunction filed by the Standing Rock band to halt construction and protect the water of the Missouri River.
Cars filled with supporters poured into the camp throughout the day. Dennis Archambault, chairman of the Standing Rock Tribe, held a mid-day open meeting around the fire to detail the legal and other challenges to the pipeline. In anticipation of the court decision, he issued a call for continued unity, prayer and protest to stop the pipeline.