Veterans from multiple branches of the U.S. Military are planning to head to North Dakota to protect protesters (called Water Protectors) at the site of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests.
The organizers are raising money to send as many veterans as possible to stand between Water Protectors and law enforcement, and the organizers’ online fundraising site has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in just a few weeks as people from all over the United States and world embrace the #NODAPL cause.
The group, which calls itself “Veterans for Standing Rock,” is “calling for our fellow veterans to assemble as a peaceful, unarmed militia at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation” on December 4-7 to protect the protesters from the law enforcement presence there.
The Dakota Access Pipeline (called “DAPL” in shorthand) is a multi-state oil pipeline that has been the focus of increasingly intense clashes for months between Water Protectors and law enforcement near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation in North Dakota. The Water Protectors say they are taking a stand for future generations and water quality, as well as fighting to protect sites of cultural and spiritual significance. The energy company behind the pipeline has claimed it will create jobs and reduce dependence on foreign oil sources.
The protests have brought together a historic gathering of people from many Indian nations as well as other protesters and celebrities.
Here’s what you need to know:
The veterans established a GoFundMe site to raise money for the veteran militia. You can find the site here.
The site has raised the more than $330,000 in just 14 days as people rally to support the tribe and Water Protectors. The veterans have also created an online “enlistment” form that veterans can use to sign up for the effort.
Pipeline supporters say it will create jobs and reduce American dependence on foreign oil. The Water Protectors say the pipeline could harm the environment and is endangering sites of spiritual and cultural significance.
“Everyday becomes more evident that the defenders of America must stand with the Water Protectors,” the veterans say on their site. “Let’s stop this savage injustice being committed right here at home. If not us, who? If not now, when? Are you a hero? Are you honorable? Not if you allow this the be the United States.”
Native American protesters are trying to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline’s construction, leading to dramatic videos and photos of dogs being used against protesters.
Protesters have said they were bitten by dogs, maced, and, most recently, a female protester’s arm was blown off. In the latter incident, the Standing Rock Medic and Healing Council released a statement that said in part, “The Morton County Sheriff’s Department has stated that she was injured by a purported propane explosion that the Sheriff’s Department claimed the unarmed people created. These statements are refuted by Sophia’s testimony, by several eye-witnesses who watched police intentionally throw concussion grenades at unarmed people, by the lack of charring of flesh at the wound site and by the grenade pieces that have been removed from her arm in surgery and will be saved for legal proceedings.”
The effort has a Facebook page where people can get more information. It reads, in part, “ADMIN NOTE: We’ve received a tremendous response from many of you wanting to join the march and get more information. Thank YOU & WELCOME! Step 1 is registering using the roster form pinned to this page. Once you complete that more details & communications will follow. Our team is currently coordinating Ride-Share’s from all over the US leveraging the funding from the GoFundMe. Details on supply needs, gear and travel logistics are forethcoming. Be patient with us please, we are small group of volunteers and we’re working hard to ensure this all goes to plan for everyone. If you have any questions, concerns or press queries please email them to veteranstandingrock@gmail.com and thank you for your passion and your service.”
VIA
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