Yesterday we noted that, after nearly a year of continuous protests, eviction day had finally come for the last remaining members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota.
That said, and quite unsurprisingly we might add, a number of Standing Rock protesters apparently decided that the North Dakota Governor's eviction notice, which went in effect yesterday at 2pm, was merely a suggestion and overstayed their welcome on federal lands. As such, riot police and Humvees have now been called in to facilitate their immediate departure.
Of course, as most are acutely aware at this point, the standoff in North Dakota revolves around Native American opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), a project the Standing Rock tribe said crosses over land that belongs to them pursuant to the Treaty of Fort Laramie from 1868.
According to RT, roughly 100 protesters remained in camp this morning as riot police moved in to clear the grounds.
Live-streams from across the Cannon Ball River showed police, including state troopers from Wisconsin, and what looked like National Guard troops entering the mostly abandoned encampment on Thursday morning, accompanied with armored vehicles and construction equipment.
About 100 protesters remained in the camp on Wednesday, defying the deadline for evacuation ordered by North Dakota's governor.
Here is a live feed of today's festivities:
http://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php
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For those who missed it, here are scenes from yesterday as the Governor's eviction notice took effect.
After nearly a year of conflict, today may mark the last stand at Standing Rock as authorities’ begin their final eviction of protesters, also known as water protectors, from their camps.
The standoff in North Dakota revolves around Native American opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), a controversial initiative the Standing Rock tribe says crosses over land that belongs to them pursuant to the Treaty of Fort Laramie from 1868.
The #NoDAPL movement gained widespread attention in 2016 after videos and reports emerged showing law enforcement’s brutal militaristic crackdown on protests. Hundreds of water protectors have been arrested and injured — some critically.
The eviction, expected imminently today, stems from an executive order signed by Governor Burgum.
Breaking: North Dakota Executive Order Forcing Unarmed Indigenous People Off Treaty Lands #defundDAPL #MniWiconi pic.twitter.com/PYsmo92xrt
— IndigenousEnviroNet (@IENearth) February 22, 2017
Below is a collection of live video from the ground at Standing Rock that we will update throughout the day:
http://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php
http://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php
Keep up with the latest developments on Twitter:
#StandingRock Tweets
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