De-Escalate Standing Rock: Demand Six States Pull Police Forces from NODAPL

Batons, riot gear, tanks: America's treatment of native people in 2016. 

Tensions in North Dakota are escalating. Six other states (Wisconsin, Indiana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Nebraska) are now sending additional support from their police forces to suppress native voices along the front lines.

In the past month, the police force has become increasingly militarized. There have been over 250 arrests made in just over a week. Images from camp show officers in riot gear, along with military-grade equipment. Videos document the horrific use of pepper spray and rubber bullet guns on those opposing the pipeline in prayer and peace. 

Native people from across the globe are rejecting the profit-driven destruction of sacred spaces and vital waterways. The United States is responding with violent force and police brutality. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is not just defending their own water source, but setting a precedent of sovereignty for all native people. Further, we are all affected by these pipelines, as they allow companies to transport dirty oil that is destroying our climate. These people are not protestors, but protectors of a resource we all rely on every single day.

For hundreds of years the United States has mistreated native people and broken legal treaties. North Dakota is continuing this mistreatment by brutalizing and arresting water protectors. Wisconsin, Indiana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, and Nebraska are complicit in these actions by sending police support.

As a resident of ____, I am appalled by the actions of the police force. I refuse to condone our state's police supporting the actions of the officers in North Dakota. We are demanding these six outside states pull their police forces from the NODAPL peaceful protests.