2,000 Veterans Just Arrived At Standing Rock To Form “Human Shield” Around Protesters (PHOTOS/VIDEO)
Over two thousand veterans have begun arriving at the Dakota Access Pipeline protest camp in North Dakota, intending to form a “human shield” protecting the protesters from the violent militarized police force that is defending the desecrating construction company.
The protesters, which number in the thousands, have been fighting to halt the construction of a $3.8 billion oil pipeline which would desecrate lands sacred to the Standing Rock Sioux and threaten the health of local water supplies. The police have been openly violating human rights with their intimidation tactics, setting attack dogs on protesters, sexually humiliating protesters with strip-searches and cavity exams, and arresting hundreds on trumped up charges.
After that failed to break the spirit of the protesters, the police escalated the violence last week when they deployed tear gas, concussion grenades, and rubber bullets into the crowds of resisters. One protester may have to have her arm amputated after a shell brutally tore her muscles apart and another may lose her sight from the tear gas. They followed that up with water cannons in sub-zero temperatures, causing hundreds to be treated for hypothermia.
The police have now announced they will be blocking food and medical supplies from reaching the protest camp and have ordered them to disperse by December 4th. Tribal leaders have rejected the evacuation order and will not back down.
An enormous group of veterans, some having walked hundreds of miles to reach the site, will “self-deploy” themselves in a “human shield” to protect the innocent protesters.
“We want to offer them a moment of peace and, if we can, take a little bit of pressure off,” said veterans spokesperson Ashleigh Jennifer Parker. People are being brutalized; concussion grenades are being thrown into crowds. They’re spraying people, even old women, and other elders of the tribe with tear gas and pepper spray and all of this is just unconstitutional. I can’t believe the media hasn’t taken more of an interest in this.”
While the media obsesses over Donald Trump’s tweets, unconstitutional brutality has been playing out in North Dakota. We applaud our brave veterans for their determination and wish them the best of luck in the face of the unfeeling boots of an oppressive regime.
Featured image: Trip Jennings/Balance Media
If you’d like to donate to the veterans at Standing Rock, you may do so here.
Veterans are already arriving at camp. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/oMdxsKxaVT
— Ruth H. Hopkins (@RuthHHopkins) December 1, 2016
This veteran walked 200 miles to get to Standing Rock. Here’s his story:
Veteran Chris Turley walked over 200miles to Standing Rock to show solidarity f/t water protectors. Let's show him some love. Share! #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/q25iSfF4VQ
— Indigenous Environmental Network (@IENearth) December 1, 2016
Faces of Standing Rock. Ryker, age 6, NE. "I came here with my parents to cheer for the native people." #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/Cgui5mPBOA
— Ruth H. Hopkins (@RuthHHopkins) December 1, 2016
Meanwhile DAPL forces continue to vandalize the vehicles of Honor the Earth, slash tires, break windows #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/8BcjGO0t5d
— Ruth H. Hopkins (@RuthHHopkins) December 1, 2016
