Guidelines for Visiting Standing Rock; Comparing DAPL Protests with Malheur Refuge Standoff; Local Sheriffs Defend Actions; and Pressing Obama for Support

The Oceti Sakowin (main) camp near Standing Rock.

Many people are interested in traveling to North Dakota to show their support for the Standing Rock Nation and its efforts to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. However, some are unsure how to participate in a good and helpful way.

A group called Solidariteam developed the following resources that discuss everything from current camp needs to the importance of following Indigenous leadership there. They also talk about how to bring what you learn at the camp back to your own communities. Please share.

• If You’re Thinking About Going to Standing Rock
• Oceti Sakowin Camp Protocol: 7 Lakota Values
• Joining Camp Culture
• When You Return Home

Questions? See the Standing Rock Solidarity Training on FB or email raffo95@gmail.com.

Local Sheriffs Deputies Pulled from ND; Amnesty, UN Observers at Pipeline Protest; Liability Questions Raised

Good News: Hennepin, Anoka, and Washington county sheriffs departments have pulled their deputies and equipment out of North Dakota, MPR reports. The deputies had participated in a heavily militarized response against those opposed to the Dakota Access Pipeline

The counties had sent their deputies in response to request from the Morton County ND Sheriff’s Department, allowed as part of a mutual aid agreement. Hennepin County Sheriff Richard Stanek’s decision to send deputies sparked local protests. Some state lawmakers spoke out against it, believing this was an inappropriate use of the mutual aid agreement. Some now say they will seek a change in the law next session. According to MPR:

A group of state legislators who met with Stanek say they think the emergency assistance protocols only apply to natural disasters or an attack on the scale of 9/11.

“We have an assignment that we’re going to go back and try and change a couple parts of the law that will make it clearer the distinction between different types of emergencies,” said Rep. Karen Clark, DFL-Minneapolis, who met with Stanek, “so we don’t get ourselves in sort of a position again.”

U.N. Group, Amnesty International, Providing Outside Accountability for Law Enforcement Actions at DAPL Protests

More Good News: Outside observers are traveling to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests in North Dakota to monitor the situation and bring some accountability for the harsh military tactics used against the Water Protectors.