Standing Rock: After the Water Cannons

Hundreds of water protectors were injured at the Standing Rock encampments when law enforcement blasted them with water cannons in freezing temperatures Sunday evening. The attacks came as water protectors used a semi-truck to remove burnt military vehicles that police had chained to concrete barriers weeks ago, blocking traffic on Highway 1806. Water protectors’ efforts to clear the road and improve access to the camp for emergency services were met with tear gas, an LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device), stinger grenades, rubber bullets, and indiscriminate use of a water cannon with an air temperature of 26 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some flares shot by law enforcement started grass fires which were ignored by the water cannons and had to be extinguished by water protectors. Law enforcement also shot down three media drones and targeted journalists with less lethal rounds.

These quotes are from the statement from Sacred Stone Camp, issued this morning, November 21, 2016.

There are two videos and frontline images included in the statement.

LaDonna Allard, director of the camp, says:

All I can say is why? We are asking for clean water, we are asking for the right to live, we are asking for our children to live. Instead they attack us, because they protect oil. Morton county and DAPL security are inhuman- what is wrong with their hearts?

Please take action. In the essay I posted last night during this atrocity, there's a list of phone numbers to call. You can also call the White House comment line 202-456-1111 (though it is clear that the president and the vast majority of elected officials don't care at all about the violence being perpetrated by the pipeline company's mercenaries in collusion with sheriffs and cops).

In addition to phone calls, please share this information. The water protectors keep asking us to tell people what's happening. It is the very least we can do.

The Sheriff Lies
This wasn't a "riot." This wasn't a "clash." This was inhumane, abusive, violent suppression by so-called law enforcement on unceded treaty land that belongs to the Standing Rock Sioux nation. All of these disgusting actions and their justifications by the sheriff and spokesmen for the DAPL company are in service of greed, in support of a pipeline that is unwanted, unnecessary, and dangerous to life-giving water.

There are numerous videos on youtube now and on the #NoDAPL hashtag. Here is Unicorn Riot's (independent media) report on what happened last night, including still photos, live tweets, and video.

Thank you for what you're already doing. Please don't stop.

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Comments

Here's control of the political economy by the 1% in action: police in service to those who are profiting from the destruction of the biosphere.

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"The justness of individual land right is not justifiable to those to whom the land by right of first claim collectively belonged"

TheOtherMaven's picture

The POLICE are rioting, in defense of the indefensible.

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There is no justice. There can be no peace.

Lookout's picture

with this horrid miscarriage of justice. I'm ashamed for our whole country.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

in their country. To their country.

And at this point, we, who were the colonizers, have ourselves become colonized by the forces of global capital.

I feel ashamed for what the original European settlers and those who followed them did to put the indigenous people in this position in the first place. I don't feel ashamed for anything that's happened at the camp. Nobody who makes less than a million a year has a say in what goes on in this country.

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Bisbonian's picture

no water cannons were used...that it was just firefighters putting out the fires that the water protectors started!

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"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X

blazinAZ's picture

Morton County sheriff has been proved to lie, over and over again.

If the intent was to put out fires, why weren't the water cannons aimed at the fires? smh

The water protectors say that the fires were started by projectiles (gas cannisters, percussion grenades, etc.) shot by so-called "law enforcement." I believe them.

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There is no justice in America, but it is the fight for justice that sustains you.
--Amiri Baraka

pswaterspirit's picture

I was a firefighter rule 1 is no matter how serious the problem is you do not go in while there is any kind of conflict going on. They would not be putting out fires while there was police action.

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Alphalop's picture

the nation saying. "Wait, what?" when they heard that cover story.

I have a bit of inside knowledge of this, as I was semi-adopted in my teens by a good friends family,

His father was a fire chief for the Atlantic City Fire Department, and a wonderful man. He and his wife took a an angry kid with no direction except towards prison and turned him into a compassionate, respectful and kinder man.

He was on the right side of the spectrum, but never pushed anything, even his life lessons. He just would talk, calmly, rationally and with probably a lot more respect and patience then I deserved.

I like to think that his calm persistence paid off.

One day I had an epiphany. I looked at his life, his family and the future that he had built for himself and said, "I want that!".

And proceeded to go and get it with the support of he and his wife. Whom to this day I refer to Ma and Pop, although Ma passed away a couple years ago, he still comes to Florida from Tahoe to visit me and my wife at least once a year.)

Anyway, I digress. I what I wanted to say is this man would not have allowed his firefighters to ever enter a situation where there was an ongoing confrontation. It was completely against departmental policy, and for a very sound reason.

I imagine that even though I doubt he is wholeheartedly supporting the protesters I also don't doubt that he would be calling bullshit on this narrative just as you have.

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"I used to vote Republican & Democrat, I also used to shit my pants. Eventually I got smart enough to stop doing both things." -Me

Oldest Son Of A Sailor's picture

At a safe staging area while Police deal with an unstable situation, until deemed safe to enter...

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"Do you realize the responsibility I carry?
I'm the only person standing between Richard Nixon and the White House."

~John F. Kennedy~
Economic: -9.13, Social: -7.28,
TheOtherMaven's picture

And then claim it was the "rioters" they were "suppressing".

Goebbels had nothing on this lot of goons.

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There is no justice. There can be no peace.

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

Lying bastard.

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Amanda Matthews's picture

distance but you could make out what was going on. It was 26 degrees, that is 6 degrees BELOW freezing, and they were dousing the People with water. And trust me, North Dakota cold is COLD!! A stinging, biting cold if its windy. Oh gooddness, have only trekked up there in winter twice. BRRRRR. And they also brought out 2 Humvees with sound canon on them (that is was the person hosting the live feed said while I was listening). And to make matters worse, the Water Protectors were on a bridge. They were trapped.

The aggression was coming from only one side in this protest a,nd it was from the 'law and order' side. The Water Protectors had done nothing and did nothing that called for them to be punished in this manner. In fact, there really is nothing morally/legally that they can do that would excuse this treatment. This is THEIR land that the fight is over. White people took away everything that they had of value and left them the scraps, the land that they didn't see as valuable or prime plots of real estate. NOW they are coming for the 'scraps'. That is so foul.

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I'm tired of this back-slapping "Isn't humanity neat?" bullshit. We're a virus with shoes, okay? That's all we are. - Bill Hicks

Politics is the entertainment branch of industry. - Frank Zappa

SparkyGump's picture

keep on rockin in the "free" world."

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The real SparkyGump has passed. It was an honor being your human.

The photos of young black demonstrators being hosed are part of our most shameful history, and now this is repeated in a way to cause death by hypothermia, and Obama does nothing? Maybe he forgot that peaceful demonstrators are sometimes followed by ones who have given up hope and that does not end well. Honestly, it is like this fucking country has amnesia.

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Bisbonian's picture

until his speaking tour starts.

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"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X

Raggedy Ann's picture

correct. Scratch one-s head

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Alphalop's picture

like the right does with it's Teahadists.

I am firmly convinced that they will not show any respect to us until their blood mingles in the streets with ours.

This isn't a call for violence, just an incredibly sad observation.

The only thing a bully fears is getting his ass kicked in front of his peers.

I fear the time for peaceful revolution has passed us by and now we need to kick some ass.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKk5uyuWYqI] (My favorite cover of this song.)

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w211KOQ5BMI]

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"I used to vote Republican & Democrat, I also used to shit my pants. Eventually I got smart enough to stop doing both things." -Me

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

But they're not militant in a way that counters the ugliness of last night. Not with immediacy, anyway.

I wish I'd developed those skills. Course, if I had, my life would have been much more dangerous (I probably wouldn't have a family either).

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Deja's picture

But that would put innocent people in danger.

I left a message at the sheriff's office last night, and fully expected to receive a call back telling me what a riot supporter I am. It never came. Bet they gave my number to someone to add to a list, though.

An elder had a heart attack there, last night. S/he had to be brought back to life. Others were shot in their faces and heads with rubber bullets. This is so fucking disgusting!

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Shockwave's picture

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The political revolution continues

blazinAZ's picture

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There is no justice in America, but it is the fight for justice that sustains you.
--Amiri Baraka

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

and SunTrust.

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Deja's picture

I've never invested in the stock market before, but see that it is past time to dig in, and find some different, more deserving companies to invest my nickels in.

Screw Well's Fargo and Citibank!

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Shockwave's picture

Jeremy Scahill: TigerSwan Security, Linked to Blackwater, Now Coordinates Intel for Dakota Access

We speak with Intercept co-founder Jeremy Scahill, who has spent years reporting on private security contractors such as the private security firm TigerSwan, which has links to the now-defunct mercenary firm Blackwater and is in charge of coordinating intelligence for the Dakota Access pipeline company.

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The political revolution continues

From your link (emphasis mine):

... JEREMY SCAHILL: Yeah. It would be an amusing, you know, Senate confirmation hearing. I mean, what’s potentially more likely, but in the same category, is Sheriff David Clarke of Milwaukee County, who has, you know, said—called Black Lives Matter—he’s African-American himself, but has called Black Lives Matter subhuman, has said that there is no such thing as police brutality, who led the chants of "Blue lives matter" at the Republican National Convention and is a regular on Bill O’Reilly’s show and others on—and Hannity on Fox News.

Juan, one thing I forgot to mention when we were talking about the Cabinet that Trump is putting together on the national security level, we should remember that national security adviser is not Senate-confirmed. And it’s an extraordinarily powerful position that is—has definitions going back to 1947, but basically is like a parallel, unaccountable national security apparatus, and it’s very secretive how it operates, and it’s up to the whims of a particular administration. But also, Flynn and Mattis, if Mattis is to be defense secretary, would require waivers to be issued for them, because you’re not allowed to go from uniform within the last seven years to a civilian position without a waiver from Congress. Why is that? It’s because there has to be chain of command where civilians are directing the military; otherwise, you start to veer into territory of a military dictatorship or a military state. And it seems like that’s part of what Trump actually wants. It could be coincidence that these guys were just recent military people. But you do have to, because it’s Trump, take into account the possibility that he really does want what amounts to a dictatorship of the executive branch, where these policies actually are dictated by the military and not necessarily the civilian chain of command, outside of him and Pence. ...

Not just 'because it's Trump' - the Clintons would have been in their element and only Bernie or Jill would have defied TPTB and therefore had to be crushed, along with their supporters.

Want to bet that all such appointments were agreed upon prior to the selection, between whoever gets to further enrich themselves in playing President/VP this time and TPTB, as TPTB are reaching the culmination of a long-running global takeover attempt intended to be falsely 'legalized' by traitorous 'trade deals' incorporating a mechanism illegally and unconstitutionally handing over - by public servants sworn and paid by the public to maintain and defend these - law/government/democracy/people and their countries to hostile and destructive self-interests?

We see the behaviours of such ruthless self-interests in a corporate/military (fascist) state as they begin to be further unleashed, even in democracies founded on the principles of law and order in the public interest, in what they already regard as their countries/world to destroy as they will in the mindless pursuit of profit. Always starting with those perceived as most vulnerable...

The TPP is not dead - this is yet more lying in order to quietly pass it, while the prospective traitors 'leading' other countries are still being pressured into ratifying it. But all private 'agreements' unlawfully and unconstitutionally pretending to 'legally' give away any of the inherent rights of humanity/citizens must die, or we all will.

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Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

Lookout's picture

TYT's Jordan on the ground last night (4 min)
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySe5zskfyKw]

2.5 min drone flight over water cannons last night
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ0nHQupv3c]

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

snoopydawg's picture

they were putting out.
I read about this on my local website here in Utah and almost every comment was in favor of the cops using the water. So unbelievable the cruelty in this country.

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

was against the cops. Don't know what the hell is up with Utah.

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Bisbonian's picture

stomping out the fires lit by flash-bang grenades.

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"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X

blazinAZ's picture

The courage, selflessness, and generosity of the water protectors

https://www.facebook.com/john.bravebullbaker/posts/10211164522099066

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There is no justice in America, but it is the fight for justice that sustains you.
--Amiri Baraka

hester's picture

and links provided here, I have given a small donation at Standingrock.org. But I have a client who gave $500.00 last week. I was in awe. Thanks again for all the updates.

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Don't believe everything you think.

blazinAZ's picture

every little bit counts. Every little bit.

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There is no justice in America, but it is the fight for justice that sustains you.
--Amiri Baraka

hester's picture

gave a huge amount. I'm in awe of you and them. Thanks again. we must all stick together.

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Don't believe everything you think.

Citizen Of Earth's picture

in this video.

America is a Fascist "democracy". Any questions?

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Donnie The #ShitHole Douchebag. Fake Friend to the Working Class. Real Asshole.

Thanks to previous posts I found out that I have an account at one of the banks which has invested in this disgusting project and I intend to dump them and tell them why. What companies do any of you suggest as reliably socially responsible?

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blazinAZ's picture

if you google your hometown and "credit union" you'll get a list. Some credit unions used to have requirements that you be a teacher, for example, or work in a certain industry. But most of them now only require you to join (usually by investing a small amount of money, like $25 or $50, which you get back when you leave), and then you can open an account.

My credit union has every service I need: online bill pay, debit cards, car loans.

Thanks for moving your money!

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There is no justice in America, but it is the fight for justice that sustains you.
--Amiri Baraka

TheOtherMaven's picture

Or do they get "too big to fail", too?

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There is no justice. There can be no peace.

Bisbonian's picture

I would say, yes, they can get too big. Mine only serves the employees where I work, which might have it's own problems. So far, so good.

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"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X

Deja's picture

Very short clip, and of course said that the "protesters" are trying to block construction, not clear a road littered by the greed protectors. Showed a young guy get shot. There were camp fires with people warming themselves around them. Maybe those are the fires that the pigs put out.

I missed estimated number of Protectors (400?) because I got hung up on David Muer calling the cannons "water hoses". Yeah, my water hose knocks people down.

I'm shocked it was mentioned at all.

Thank you so much for keeping this alive here, blazinAZ!

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