Standing Rock: Three Things for Supporters to Do Now. Today.
1. Send money. The Oceti Sakowin camp has been really stretched to the limit, first with the influx of veterans and other folks last weekend, and now dealing with the intense weather. Delivery trucks are having a hard time getting through, so donations of money are the best right now. Last Real Indians (one of the groups that Chase Iron Eyes is connected with) is raising money for exactly that purpose. Or you can send money directly to the camp.
PayPal: www.paypal.me/ocetisakowincamp
Checks or cash may be sent to:
Oceti Sakowin Camp
P.O. Box 298
Cannon Ball, ND 58528
2. Move your money. The financial pressure on Energy Transfer Partners and their investors seems to be the best place to keep pushing. This is a capitalist project, and capitalists don't like to lose money. I saw one estimate that the protests have cost ETP more than $100 million so far. The Defund DAPL movement is a great way to track disinvestment. One of the local affiliated groups has provided step-by-step instructions on how to move your money and suggestions for what to tell your former bank. Here is a list of all the banks investing in the pipeline and how to contact them.
You can also suggest that your local municipality or pension fund divest from these banks. Minneapolis, for example, is considering divesting from Wells Fargo.
3. Contact the ND Department of Transportation.701-328-2500 (main number), 701-328-6950 (Bismarck district), 701-328-4559 (traffic safety office), 701-328-4444 (communications and media), and/or email. Ask them why the Highway 1806 bridge north of Cannonball (the Backwater Bridge) is still closed. Their latest press release is more than a month old (reproduced in its entirety below). If an inspection is needed, when will that be scheduled? There are no "ongoing incidents" in the area, and there is no reason for that bridge to be blockaded (notice the blaming of the water protectors in the quote below).
October 31, 2016
ND Highway 1806 bridge to remain closed north of CannonballThe North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and North Dakota Highway
Patrol will keep the ND Highway 1806 bridge closed north of Cannonball until further
notice. The highway bridge (often referred to as backwater bridge) travels over Cantapeta Creek north of Cannonball and will remain closed to traffic for the safety of
the traveling public because the structural integrity of the bridge may be compromised
due to protesters lighting vehicles on fire on the structure. The bridge is unsafe for anyone to cross and will remain closed until all damage to the structure is evaluated by bridge engineers. The NDDOT is currently making arrangements for a bridge inspection but is unable to implement the process due to ongoing incidents in the area.
The NDDOT appreciates the public’s patience with the process as it may take time to
access, inspect, and make any necessary repairs to the bridge.
During the closure motorists need to use alternate routes.
A small group of veterans (without official authorization from anyone) decided to take it upon themselves to try to remove some of the wire from the blockade. They only had a single wire cutter, apparently, and weren't able to do as much as they wanted, but the cops are still aggressively protecting that piece of real estate. The video is 24 minutes; the cops show up in force at around 7 minutes. The wind makes the audio difficult.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9jDtzVt9YY&feature=youtu.be&a]
Since there is now internet connection at the camp, several water protectors have done tours of where and how they're living and the winterizing that continues to go on. If you want to feel grateful that you're sitting inside in a warm place, watch one or two of these.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkru4nH_nXI]
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3t3yueUKMo]
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmeO5UHrlSI]
Link to the links (last updated 12/7/16): How to Help Standing Rock: Links for Donations, Phone Numbers to Call, Talking Points
Comments
Thank you blaz
I will be contributing and will continue to contribute,
as you are doing here for all of us.
The technology challenge
How they overcame the black out of the camp's phone and internet service from TYT's Jordan (5 min)
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dyu8JqpfgDk]
Thanks for the update! I sent my last donation to Sacred Stone Camp in Ft Yates. I'll send one to the camp in Cannon ball now.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Divesting from Wells Fargo !
Unfortunately, when I purchased my home the mortgage was bought by Wells Fargo. I am in the process of correcting the situation, which will manifest in a few months.
I hope, as do we all, the conflict in North Dakota resolves to an acceptable conclusion before my circumstance transmogrifies to a more desirable configuration. If not, then maybe I will be counted amongst those protesting Wells Fargo for its role in these trying times.
what about yr checking acct?
I, too, have a mortgage I'm stuck with. I've tried twice to get it moved away from the big bank that holds it, but I haven't been successful. I have, however, been able to move all the rest of my online checking, my minimal savings account, etc., to a credit union.
Every little bit helps!
There is no justice in America, but it is the fight for justice that sustains you.
--Amiri Baraka
Checking at big bank
This is helpful as I wander about the West. But most of my economic dealings are through my local credit union. I am a strong supporter of credit unions for a variety of reasons. Many years ago I got into the Working Assets bubble. This is really nice, even though Bank of America now manages the accounts. They are trapped into honoring the conditions of using the card until I close the account. I like the little "poke to the ribs" each month they have to send me a statement, sweet.
As soon as I generate the leverage (assuming things don't totally collapse in the mean time) I will be able to move my mortgage from Wells Fargo to my Credit Union.