Standing Rock: The Struggle Continues

For the moment, the Dakota Access Pipeline has legally been delayed, but there are two important things to remember, in my opinion. First, Energy Transfer Partners and its investors have no intention of complying with the Army Corps of Engineers. Second, there are hundreds of pipelines and other extractive industries crisscrossing this country, all of which threaten indigenous lands, clean water, and air quality.
map of pipelines.jpg

The Camp of the Sacred Stones has issued a statement (bold is my emphasis)

While this is clearly a victory, the battle is not “over.” A response statement from Energy Transfer Partners and Sunoco Logistics said the corporations remain “fully committed to ensuring that this vital project is brought to completion and fully expect to complete construction of the pipeline without any additional rerouting in and around Lake Oahe. Nothing this Administration has done today changes that in any way.”

The Trump administration could easily approve the project early next year. The Obama Administration has never guaranteed the water protectors or the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe that they would use force to stop Dakota Access from drilling under the river without a permit, if necessary. The Army Corps has not yet agreed to pursue a full EIS for the entire length of the pipeline.
Organizers continue to call for every day of December to be “a day of #NoDAPL action” against the investors of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Over 100 solidarity actions worldwide have already been registered for the coming weeks as the encampment continues to stand their ground.

LaDonna Allard, Director of the Sacred Stone Camp, says, “I was asked, “When do you consider this pipeline issue to be over?” I said, when every pipe is out of the ground and the earth is repaired across the United States. I am not negotiating, I am not backing down. I must stand for our grandchildren and for the water.”

HERE ARE THE 10 QUESTIONS WE NEED TO BE ASKING IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS AHEAD:
1. Will the Army Corps actually conduct an Environmental Impact Statement? If so, on what portion of the project - just the river crossing, or the whole pipeline?
2. What issues will the EIS take into account? (for example, will it include an analysis of spill risk? how about sacred sites? will it reassess the economic need for the pipeline now that the bakken is busting?)
3. Which alternative routes will be considered? Will a "no-build" option also be considered?
4. How long will the EIS take?
5. What input will the tribe have? What will the public participation process look like?
6. In what way(s) was the original Environmental Assessment prepared by the Army Corps deemed inadequate?
7. What was the result of the tribal consultation process exploring possible changes to the regulatory process for pipelines in general? have any changes been proposed?
8. How easily will these decisions be reversed by a Trump administration?
9. How will these decisions be affected by the outcomes of DAPL's lawsuit against the Army Corps, scheduled to be heard on Friday?
10. Is the US government prepared to use force to stop the company from drilling under the river without a permit, if necessary?

Meanwhile, veterans and others continue to pour into Oceti Sakowin (29 mins).
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5czSnZhKnM]

Here's another video walk around the camp with one of the water protectors who has been there a long time (20 mins). It really gives you a sense of the mass of people who are there. One of the young men interviewed says (I paraphrase), "We're not leaving until the black snake is pulled from the ground."

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Finally, for now, here's a firsthand report of the nighttime operation that retrieved the canoes stolen by the mercenaries.

U.S. Army veteran Joseph Hock told: "Morton County Sheriff’s Department and the Dakota Access Pipeline people came in the middle of the night and stole canoes which belong to the Sioux. They took the canoes to their side to antagonize and send a message. They broke them up and left them on the other side of the Cannonball River surrounded by concertina wire. The other night, a bunch of veterans crossed halfway and pulled them back with grappling hooks."

"Through non-violent actions, we need to show respect to the Sioux people. This is not the first time this has happened to them, they have been disrespected for generations and I hope this will be an end to it. We are not going to leave. We are standing strong with them until this is done."

we can do it.JPG

Link to the links: How to Help Standing Rock: Links for Donations, Phone Numbers to Call, Talking Points

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Lookout's picture

I just don't trust the corporation nor the ND and local government. I'm glad to hear more folks are still arriving at camp. I heard many plan to stay even after the Army announcement. Here is one interview to that end from democracy now(11 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD3VvWKItGU

We'll keep on keeping on.

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

hester's picture

your updates. Apparently ETP are not planning to delay one thing. Not one thing. Color me disgusted.

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Don't believe everything you think.

divineorder's picture

and/or encourage our friends, relatives and fellow citizens to do the same?

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

O-Ren Ishii: You didn't think it was gonna be that easy, did you?
The Bride: You know, for a second there, yeah, I kinda did.

The Companies Behind the Dakota Access Pipeline Don’t Think They’ve Lost
(Emphasis added)

Dismissing the ruling as a “purely political action” that was part of the Obama administration’s desire to avoid making a final decision on the project, the companies insisted it would have no bearing on their plans whatsoever. They said they are “fully committed to ensuring that this vital project is brought to completion and fully expect to complete construction of the pipeline without any additional rerouting in and around Lake Oahe. Nothing this Administration has done today changes that in any way.”

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"We've done the impossible, and that makes us mighty."

Shahryar's picture

the simple trick for the gov't/corporations is to say "ok, you win, you can go home now" and then, when everyone leaves, they just continue on as they planned.

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divineorder's picture

but continuing to play shell games...

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

Citizen Of Earth's picture

the Defecation Of Obama and His Administration Of Corporate Whores.

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

Lookout's picture

thru big bend and under the rio grande into Mexico?

Is this our future...from one pipeline to the next?

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

divineorder's picture

here with all that fuel going South? /snark

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

Raggedy Ann's picture

are not to be trusted. The people must stay until all invaders are gone and all invasive pipes are gone.

Stand strong and stand united. We are with you.

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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

snoopydawg's picture

for what the military had done to them. There is a article about it on Salon with a Twitter video showing this.
It's very moving because of what the Lakota leader says back to them.
Sorry that I don't know how to embed twitter.

edit, wrong name of the tribe

http://www.salon.com/2016/12/05/we-beg-for-your-forgiveness-veterans-joi...

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

gulfgal98's picture

I am sitting here in tears after watching the veterans apologize and the grace that the Lakota elder showed in reply. Thank you for sharing.

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Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

snoopydawg's picture

I too teared up while watching it and listening to the emotions in both voice.
I'm liking Wes Clark Jr. a lot.
I hear that they are going to Flint next and have said that the American people who have been fighting the elite establishment have been fighting alone long enough.
Now that is fighting for your country

Damn autocorrect wants me to geared up instead of tearing up.
IMG_0555.JPG

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

divineorder's picture

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

lunachickie's picture

anything, they've made that clear, if this link is any indication. I'd have taken a bet on it, even before I saw this pop up on my Fake News Facebook feed. I'm not sure if someone goofed or not, 'cuz I've never seen anything like this at a Reuters link, let alone something that reads like a PowerPoint presentation:

Dec 4 Energy Transfer Partners Lp

* Energy transfer partners and sunoco logistics partners respond to the statement from the department of the army

* The administration's statement that it would not issue an "easement" to dakota access pipeline is a political action

* Fully expect to complete construction of pipeline without any additional rerouting in and around lake oahe

* Co and Sunoco logistics partners are fully committed to ensuring that the project is brought to completion Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:

Are they fecking kidding? If they're serious about this, well, it seems to me the government of this country, and the state of North Dakota have an important consideration before them--do they represent the People of their jurisdictions, along with that of the People who live on and own that reservation, or do they not? Because this company (companies? I'm still not clear on that),that are clearly, openly defying such a disapproval for land use, in such a huge, transformative way, on property they absolutely do not own, would seem to be committing a hugely criminal act. Wouldn't it? Why is it that I still feel obliged to wonder if such a thing is actually codified into law as "a criminal act", or if it's only punishable by fine?

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Hey, Those Who Matter are so far above the law that no concept of democracy can enter their vision nor, evidently, any oxygen reach their brains.

The combination of lacking any vestige of morality/conscience and the knowledge that there's a solid mass of further corruption between them and justice enables them to do as they please with no fear of legal consequence. Therefore, they're silly enough to think that reality doesn't matter and that they can create their own and somehow make it real. They should not be loose in public at all, never mind in the public service.

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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.

lunachickie's picture

in terms of "case law", assuming it's actually still illegal for them to do what they're doing. The way things have gone over the last 30 years, I figure by now that at the very least, criminal trespass is occurring here. But what if the only legal remedy is "fine them"? That might actually be real, right now.

(don't know for sure, that's why I was asking)

(cuz would it surprise you? it wouldn't surprise me...)

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There ought to be consequences which cannot be bought off, including by payment of fines - but they ought to have been stopped long ago, and weren't... nothing of that nature would surprise me any longer, just horrify/disgust me even more.

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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.

blazinAZ's picture

That's pocket change and will have no effect on the criminal behavior of Energy Transfer Partners.

Laws are for little people apparently, and never for cops or corporations or rich elites

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

jwa13's picture

only "suggestions". By definition, "laws" are enforced -- I am looking around, and see neither enforcement nor cavalry on the horizon.

"Suggestions" on the other hand, are acknowledged at the whim of the corporate pirate --

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When Cicero had finished speaking, the people said “How well he spoke”.
When Demosthenes had finished speaking, the people said “Let us march”.

Just another timed ploy by TPTB , because of the terrible optics of 2000 vets arriving imo .
Stay strong !

This morning on MSM ( CNBC ) Democratic ND Senator Heidi Heitkamp spoke of yesterday's meeting with Trump and mentioned confidently ;....

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [ Bolding , mine ] -----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The fight over the Dakota Access pipeline is not over yet, despite the Armed Corps of Engineers' denial to approve permits needed to complete the $3.7 billion, 1,172-mile project, maverick Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota told CNBC on Monday.

"When you look at it, we know one thing for sure: When the administration changes, the easement is going to be approved," Heitkamp told "Squawk Box," referring to the legal right pipeline proponents are claiming to justify construction on Native American land.

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lunachickie's picture

my understanding is that quite a few of them are not leaving, because they understand what a ploy this is.

PS. Obama could end this with a stroke of a pen before Trump even checks in; the man is a craven coward and his legacy is toast before it's all over.

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I feel relieved. I was worried the veterans would start leaving. I can honestly say I feel proud of our vets.

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I just heard on NPR that the weather is holding people in camp but they have been asked to go home by tribal leaders now that they have won. Is this accurate?

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blazinAZ's picture

Dave Archambault, chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux, has in fact declared this a victory and has suggested that people go home to their families. He believes that DAPL will not drill in this weather.

The leaders of the Oceti Sakowin camp, on the other hand, do not agree that the pipeline company will pack up (and all indications are that they're correct), and they have stated that they're staying to protect the water until the drilling equipment is dismantled. Some have even said they're staying until the black snake is completely pulled from the ground.

I think these different positions reflect their different roles. Archambault is an elected official, equivalent to President Obama. He has to operate on a certain level, government-to-government, and he is of course more centrist than the activists at the camp. They, on the other hand, have the freedom to be more bold, and the water protectors have the support of most of the spiritual leaders of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota peoples (all lumped under the name "Sioux" by the US government).

I think we need to keep pushing back against the media calling this a "win" since Energy Transfer Partners has clearly stated that they do not intend to stop construction and they will defy the Army Corps of Engineers.

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

... I think we need to keep pushing back against the media calling this a "win" since Energy Transfer Partners has clearly stated that they do not intend to stop construction and they will defy the Army Corps of Engineers.

And that they feel that Obama's (non-)response indicates that he's carefully looking the other way, rather than protect Americans, as do many of those of us following this.

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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.

lunachickie's picture

I think we need to keep pushing back against the media calling this a "win" since Energy Transfer Partners has clearly stated that they do not intend to stop construction and they will defy the Army Corps of Engineers.

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