The federal and North Dakota governments are not complying with their own regulations and laws. One part of the army has written to another part of the army and asked for the easement to be granted so that Energy Transfer Partners can install pipe under Lake Oahe. In response, Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) has started a disinformation campaign, claiming that construction has been approved. Construction has not been approved and the comment period for the Environmental Impact Statement is open until February 20 (scroll down to the section "Do What You Can" for how to add your comment). Construction isn’t legally approved, but it isn’t stopped either. The collusion between the government, the cops, and ETP has allowed the illegal pipeline construction to continue.

We are not afraid. We are standing for the water.

The water protectors on the frontlines remain strong and committed. In the video below (12:29, published 1/31/17), representatives of Sacred Stone Camp ask able-bodied, unafraid supporters to come and stand with them. They ask everyone, especially the veterans who came once before, to make your way to the camps and resist the black snake that will pollute the water of millions of people downstream.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDNEIgARCg4]

Come stand now! Now is the time to stand with us.

For those of you who have waited, the time is now.

The video ends with chants of “We are not backing down!” in both Lakota and English. Some say they are willing to die to save the land and water.

Changes at Oceti Sakowin/Oyate Camp

On January 25, a five-hour meeting was held that included the ND governor, Standing Rock tribal council members, representatives of the camps and the Morton County sheriff, BIA, and others. Although everyone who was there said that no formal agreement was reached, it seems that some things were decided.

Two changes have been evident since then: portions of the barricade on the Highway 1806 bridge have been removed, and a formal cleanup of the main camp has begun. The Oceti Sakowin headmen released a statement about the meeting.

The state will begin taking apart the backwater bridge barricade. Removing razor wire, and some of the concrete. They have also agreed to pull back the visible amount of the Nat’l Guard on the hills overlooking camp. The Governor’s office has also stated that they will encourage law enforcement near the backwater bridge to not have any weapons (lethal or non-lethal) on their person during this deescalation.

This was NOT a negotiated agreement between our parties. The Governor, based on demands given by Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Headsmen Council, decided to take the aforementioned steps of his own volition with only the verbal commiment by our party to tell the camps of the Governor’s plans.

Meanwhile, we have a call out for allies and people across the country to stand up where they are, and enact mass civil disobedience as a showing of solidarity for Standing Rock. The fire of the Oceti Sakowin has been taken by 10,000 potential organizers from across Turtle Island, people who have been trained in Nonviolent direct action and we need you to hit the ground immediately to help educate others and further this movement.

Here’s video (24:59) from January 31 that shows some of the progress on the bridge.
Most of the concrete barriers are gone, but there is still lots of razor wire. There are fewer cops and mercenaries in the immediate vicinity, but there are still cops stationed on high ground all around the bridge. The water protectors are guarding the bridge from their side, because they don’t want any interactions that will derail the bridge being opened. But they also talk about increased surveillance and an increase in the number of BIA cops pulling drivers over.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3AsOIyW4Ag]

Violence and Kidnapping by Cops

It felt like I was in a hostage movie.

This brief video (4:21) is a report from water protectors about what they call “snatch-and-grabs” getting worse. The tactic seems to be that the cops/mercenaries -- with badges covered or with no badges at all -- wait until someone is alone and then aggressively seize and arrest them (usually for “resisting” the arrest that was illegal and uncalled-for in the first place).

They want to break us [but] they ain’t gonna break me.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n30gFMxLDzg]

This video is longer (16 mins, with the best info in the first 10 mins), but it confirms the cops’ aggression, attempts at provocation, and illegal actions. It also includes a recording of what sounds like an interaction between cops/mercenaries on one side of the bridge and a water protector monitoring a walkie-talkie channel. The audio is problematic, but you can clearly hear

fuck your prayers, bitch

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23S10nu0bIA]

These water protectors also testify that people are being charged with felonies for being in possession of protective gear (vests, gas masks), which are then seized when they’re arrested and not returned as personal property when they’re released. They are literally being charged for defending themselves against the cops' rubber bullets and teargas. Water protectors’ cars are also having their windows smashed as part of the ongoing intimidation tactics by the government.

Do What You Can

Submit your comment today on the Environmental Impact Statement. Don't wait.

You may mail or hand deliver written comments to Mr. Gib Owen, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, 108 Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310-0108. Advance arrangements will need to be made to hand deliver comments. Please include your name, return address, and “NOI Comments, Dakota Access Pipeline Crossing” on the first page of your written comments. Comments may also be submitted via email to Mr. Gib Owen, atgib.a.owen.civ@mail.mil. If emailing comments, please use “NOI Comments, Dakota Access Pipeline Crossing” as the subject of your email.

Move your money. http://www.defunddapl.org/
Support Sacred Stone Camp (LaDonna Brave Bull Allard's group) https://www.gofundme.com/sacredstonecamp
Support Last Real Indians (Chase IronEyes' group) https://www.generosity.com/fundraising/last-real-indians-nodapl-aid
Support the Water Protector Legal Collective https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/11B5z8
Support the Medic + Healer Council http://medichealercouncil.com/donate/