Violent responses to peaceful protests
The land of the white stars with colors of blue and red signifying freedom, justice, and democracy has been committing acts of human rights violations through the use of military means on the protesters against the North Dakota Access pipeline (“DAPL”). The DAPL is a pipeline that spans over 1,172 miles with a 30-inch diameter pipeline. This project is a multi-billion dollar investment from major domestic American banks and companies, with the main company being Energy Transfer Partners. However, the Indigenous peoples within North Dakota began protesting against the construction of this pipeline in its initial stages in April of 2016.
Indigenous peoples assert that the pipeline will not only disturb sacred Indigenous land and burial ground, but additionally pollute the Missouri River which is the main water sources for the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. The fear of a leakage from the pipeline in the Missouri River is a serious concern from this community. The consequence of an oil spill will not only compromise the well being of the Indigenous peoples whom use the river for drinking water, but will also cause damaging and long lasting effects on the environment that is dependent on the river. Water has true sacred and meaningful value within this community, and it is with pride that the Indigenous peoples across the world take a stand as protectors for the water.
Many people around the world have witnessed the protests that Standing Rock Sioux has organized, but Indigenous peoples across the country and internationally have been traveling to stand in solidarity with a cause that will affect all communities. Though many of these protesters are Indigenous, many are not and understand that the DAPL is a universal issue of social and environmental injustice, and hence stands in solidarity as allies through peaceful protest.
However, there has been a substantial increase in the use of military and police force against the protesters from North Dakota Department of Emergency Services. Officers in riot gear and armed with military Humvees flooded the protests, and helicopters and an airplane were deployed to “monitor” the protester for increased surveillance until November 5th. Officers continue to drive military vehicles into the protest as roadblocks to overwhelm the protesters, acting as riot police in largely peaceful, non-violent environment. Additionally, they [the officers] are regularly checking for ID’s and licence plates. To put into perspective how adamant the government of North Dakota wants to suppress the protesters, they have spent $6 million on police forces against the movement and have asked for an additional $4 million to continue supplying police force against the protesters. By October 27th approximately 117 people were arrested which only increased to a total of 127 people the following day, the number continues to grow.
In addition to this, protesters have been complaining of violation of the civil rights. For instance, every American citizen has a right to counsel and the right to free association, however protesters have been repeatedly interrogated without the presence of a lawyer. If this was not enough, the G4S has been hired by Energy Transfer Partners (ETP). The G4S is a private organization that specializes in security and profits from
private prisons around the world. This organization has been used by ETP to blocked individuals off of public roads, worked with government forces against the water protectors, and have used their vehicle to hit horses, and also fly a helicopter mission for “surveillance”. The product of this aggressive, disproportionate response from both the government and ETP is an increase of charges against the water protectors. This is justified by government officials through trial by media – an unlawful way to create a claim against a group or individual when there is no physical supporting evidence – to convict the water protectors.
These charges and increases in surveillance have led to mass arrests many of which are unlawful and the result of extensive force including the use of batons, pepper spray, and arresting journalist and filmmakers before they issue a trespassing warrant. Earlier this year the pipeline company brought dogs to use against the protesters, and many sustained injuries in the process. By October 25th there has been a total of 269 arrests made since August. Furthermore, there has been a significant amount of mistreatment of individuals before and after imprisonment. Evidence has been presented through first hand testimonies and photos of protesters forcibly subjected to strip searches, marked on their arms with numbers, and held in dog kennels. In any other situation, we would assume that this would be taking place in an undemocratic, authoritarian regime state, however, it is occurring in the United States of America. The Morton County Sheriff department claim that the “holding cells” are ND Department of Corrections approved. Nevertheless, holding human beings in cells used for animals is never justified.
Recently, this conflict began to catch the attention of human right organizations like Amnesty International and the United Nations. Amnesty International USA has sent a delegation of individuals
to observe the conflicts between the protesters and the police/military force to ensure and report whether human rights are being maintained. Eric Ferrero, the director of communications for Amnesty International USA, states “People here just want to stand up for the rights of Indigenous people and protect their natural resources. These people should not be treated like the enemy.” Amnesty international makes three points that we must all keep in mind when we think of this conflict. Firstly, under international law arrests cannot be used a method of intimidation or prevention for peaceful protests. Secondly, individuals cannot be restrained for an elongated period of time and must be treated humanely. Finally, authorities are strongly encouraged to use less evasive ways to search. Moreover, the United Nations is present to investigate the claims of human rights violations. A UN representative in the permanent forum on Indigenous Issues has been collecting testimonies, with many Indigenous leaders testify that these events are “acts of war”. It has been noted that the sheriff’s officers appear to be hostile even towards the UN representative, as they claim that it seems as though the police officials have already made up their minds of who that their actions are right.
This article has presented evidence of multiple accounts of human rights violations made against the protesters for the DAPL. Trial by media, dog kennels as holding cells, pepper spray, batons, and lethal use of guard dogs, increased surveillance, and mass arrests are only some issues that the water protectors have to combat to protect their land, their culture, and the environment. We, as allies, must stand in solidarity with the Indigenous peoples not only in Standing Rock, but internationally. This is a modern account of the lack of respect that states across the world have for the original peoples. Residential school and the sixties scoops have led to trauma that will last decades within Canada with our Indigenous peoples, we have the opportunity to avoid making similar egregious mistakes with Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Let us ensure that children will have parents to grow up with, let us ensure that individuals will have an opportunity to drink clean water, and let us ensure that we as human beings will stand in unity with human beings.
By Muriam Fancy
Please note that opinions expressed are the author’s own. They do not necessarily reflect the views and values of The Blank Page.
