Standing Rock: ND Terrorists Threaten Water Protectors

On December 5, two masked men used their vehicles to block a car with two water protectors inside and then verbally assaulted and threatened them with violence. One of the attackers then chased another man, who was filming the encounter. The two videos below are two different views, one from inside the car, the other from outside the car. Warning: violent language and aggressive threats (each vid is 2-3 mins). I can't seem to embed the FB video, but the first link below is from inside the car.
**Edited: I found a Youtube version of the video from inside the car
https://www.facebook.com/100008607349356/videos/vb.100008607349356/16171...[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Kfw6yxZRrs]

[video:https://youtu.be/FrHgSJqUZ4U]

What seems touching and naive is that the water protectors inside and outside the car both talk about calling the cops. When I look at this encounter, I think that the aggressors could be the cops. How is their behavior any different from how the police treat the water protectors? So who do you call? Who can you rely on to protect your life and your civil liberties?

do not leave.JPG

Veterans March in Blizzard (13 mins)
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJegawILNug]

At the frontline, December 5 (3:44)
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGOyNTsVo-s]

The military vehicles have been removed from the Highway 1806 bridge, but the concrete barriers and razor wire remain. Meanwhile, the cops and mercenaries are digging in and fortifying their encampment about a mile away, just over the hill, determined to prevent the water protectors from reaching any actual construction sites (including the drill pad).

cops reinforcing.JPG

The Lakota People's Law Project provides an update in this video (9:47), including their belief that Energy Transfer Partners will not stop construction and will defy the Army Corps of Engineers. Personally, I think the whole thing is theater, to try to get people to go home. Luckily, it's not working.
https://www.facebook.com/LakotaPeoplesLawProject/videos/vb.294508332028/...

Excellent resource: Earthjustice has a website that has all the current court cases they're involved in, with original documents, analysis, and FAQ.

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

you still protesting_1.JPG

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in place to suppress people engaging in lawful protest and are not interested in protecting those innocent of wrongdoing.

It's a disgrace and a shame.

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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"

kharma's picture

This is how we win the future for our grandchildren and I hope our children are watching.

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There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties.. This...is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.--John Adams

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

Anja Geitz's picture

Intermingling with the Tribal flags as the water protectors and the U.S. Vets march together had both a symbolically grand and poignantly intimate nature to it. The quietness of the snow, the low hum of the Tribal chants, the immense frozen landscape...so many contrasting themes going on. Sacred and cruel.

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There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier

Cowardly bahstads won't show their faces. But leave their license plates exposed.
Brilliant.

peace

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Ya got to be a Spirit, cain't be no Ghost. . .

Explain Bldg #7. . . still waiting. . .

If you’ve ever wondered whether you would have complied in 1930’s Germany,
Now you know. . .
sign at protest march

Citizen Of Earth's picture

If only an honest cop in ND would show some courage and trace the plate numbers. Hell the Dimwits probably are cops.

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

Raggedy Ann's picture

Do not leave - I've believed it's a trick since it was announced. The cowardly oligarchy thinks the people are stupid. Prove how smart you/we are by digging in and staying as long as it takes. In fact, I might make it there someday - maybe in March when I'll have a week off. Do. Not. Leave.

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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

gulfgal98's picture

as always for your reports on this important happening.

Something I found very disturbing is that the tribal chairman, Dave Archambault is now asking all non-Sioux protectors to leave the camp. Why would he do this now? http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/12/05/504420616/standing-roc... Does he really believe this is over?

Can someone explain this to me. The veterans came as a result of Standing Rock tribal activist, Phyllis Young calling Wes Clark Jr. and asking him for help. Now the tribal chairman is telling them to leave. Am I missing something here?

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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

WaterLily's picture

I just read, in another thread, a good explanation for this from blaze. I just don't remember which one. I'll try to find it ...

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gulfgal98's picture

I guess I missed it. If you can link that would be good. Smile

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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

WaterLily's picture

gulfgal98's picture

Somehow I missed it earlier. I thought you meant the letter Archambault had sent which I had previously read.

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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

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.

(thx, Eagles, for both reading and finding the original link)

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

gulfgal98's picture

from Archambault and when I have seen interviews of him, he seems to talk like a politician which concerned me greatly. I think your explanation confirms my read of him.

I just hope that the people will stay there because ETP and Sunoco have publicly stated that they are going ahead regardless of what the army corps of engineers says. These corporations and the people in charge of them are outlaws. This is much bigger than just winning a brief and very false hiatus. Having the veterans in camp, even if it is only a skeleton crew can make a big difference in optics to the rest of the nation. We and they can ill afford to lose momentum now.

Thanks again for your explanation.

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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

WaterLily's picture

I've been taking lengthy breaks from being online lately -- some out of necessity (work deadlines / needing to stay focused & productive), and some out of a need to reclaim some sanity and balance after the election and the stressful, anxiety-inciting 24/7 news cycle. But I always try to at least check in here at C99-- even if it's just a drive-by -- and since you've begun your regular updates on Standing Rock, yours are the first essays I seek.

This issue, this fight, is extremely important to me, and I so appreciate you keeping us so very well informed.

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bad photo-ops for him, now that Vererans and Tulsi Gabbard there and MSM finally picked up story. Debbie, the Sane Progressive's newest video warns that once Water Protectors leave, the pipeline will be completed and Trump wants it so he will do nothing. This just a temporary Obama delaying tactic until he leaves office, then Dems can blame Trump because it will be completed on his watch.

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the easement.

Maybe he finally does have a transparent administration, after all. Unintentionally so, to be sure, but still, it counts, I think.

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Big Al's picture

Pigs and military mobiizing?. Like they're in a war or something.

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Tue, 12/06/2016 - 1:34pm — Big Al

Thanks for this blaz.

Pigs and military mobiizing?. Like they're in a war or something.

They are, on the wrong side of a destructive Greed-initiated War Against The World Of Life. They cannot live without water either. And once the Greeds have no more use for them, they'll be disposable useless eaters, too.

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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.

line to use on a protest sign for just that sentiment - that once they're done arming up these cops, having them kill and maim their FELLOW CITIZENS do they really think these war pigs are going to pay their pensions or take care of them healthcare wise? I tried writing that up when I went into Seattle for the Ferguson thing but it came out way too long for a good sign. But I think it might be a decent way to co-opt some LEO's out there who've already seen their pensions threatened. They are just as disposable as the rest of us are, if not more so for that fact of a pension alone.

And I still maintain, its far easier and cheaper to just arm these guys to the teeth than to train them in how to de-escalate a violent situation or deal with the mentally ill, or even to deal with the PTSD that cops are just as subject to as anyone who deals with violence. What do the war pigs care of some mentally deranged person goes out and shoots a bunch of those cops and kills or maims them? They could not give a shit. And these cops need to know that.

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Only a fool lets someone else tell him who his enemy is. Assata Shakur

They are a bunch of fucking cowards, the shit they have done to the peaceful protesters is a national disgrace. Each and every one of these fucktards (a new word I just heard and seems appropriate) should be identified so they can be publicly shamed and or prosecuted depending on their actions. I doubt they would be so gung ho if they were in a real war situation.

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are so much better at handling that idiot with the face mask than I would have been. Maybe he would have scared me, but I just feel rage when I hear that ugly mouth and see that stupid video game type mask. I'd like to snatch that thing off his face and break it. But it's easy to say that sitting here typing on the computer, but I do think he'd have pissed me off and I'm not so sure I could be as civil as those two protectors were. I can see just a tiny bit how hard non-violence in the face of that kinda stupid really is.

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Only a fool lets someone else tell him who his enemy is. Assata Shakur

Damnit Janet's picture

The Police.
The Politicians.
The 1%ers.
and their paid mercenaries who attack women, children and the elderly.

Shame on them all. #ftp

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"Love One Another" ~ George Harrison

solublefish's picture

That was one intense video - made my adrenaline rush from fear.

My first thought was: what is wrong with those (presumably) white people assaulting the Protectors? How could they be so completely f*ed up?

My second thought was: these are the sort of people we are producing in our society, from the cops on the barricades of Hwy 1806 - and Ferguson, MO - to the creeps at the parking lot to the bankers and politicians who are selling out the people of ours society and destroying the earth.

So why are we producing such people? What has to change to prevent that? It seems to me the answer is deeper than "green energy" or " community policing". To echo the Paul Potter, former chair of SDS (in 1965), "what kind of a system is it?" that produces such things? We need to name the system.

"True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars need re-structuring" --MLK, 1967

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Alphalop's picture

industry.

"Fuck your water, I got a phat paycheck to earn raping the earth and poisoning your families." Seems to be the prevaling attitude for a large majority of those employed in that industry.

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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

Wed, 12/07/2016 - 9:58am — Alphalop

My guess would be that they are employees in the drilling/oil

industry.

"Fuck your water, I got a phat paycheck to earn raping the earth and poisoning your families." Seems to be the prevaling attitude for a large majority of those employed in that industry.

Bet you're right on them being employed in some capacity by oil interests, as that was the first thought occurring to me.
One thing for sure is that they aren't any of the 18 million or so locals depending on that water source - unless petrochemical neurotoxic pollutant overload has already affected their cognitive abilities in that area, which also seems possible considering how long we've all been inundated with them. So, might be both after all, making this even scarier...

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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.

Alphalop's picture

but this is the exact reason I concealed carry.

If some asshole racist rednecks want to assault me or my wife I would like to know I have the ability to defend myself against such actions.

I would not use or brandish it until there was no other choice but to employ it.

Would it cause me emotional stress, etc to do so?

Most assuredly.

But nowhere near the emotional stress of watching my loved ones being assaulted by thugs and violent lunatic fascists.

A firearm is a tool. and just like any tool it is much better to have one and never need to use it then to need one and not have it available.

The fact of the matter is that the Police do not prevent crime, only react to crime.

If you can't protect yourself than you are going around entirely unprotected.

To me, in these times, that choice is borderline foolish.

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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

blazinAZ's picture

What -- exactly -- would you have done in this situation?

You're in a car in front of a hotel with your wife beside you. No one else is in your car. Two other vehicles block you in, front and back, and then a masked man starts screaming at you through your car window. Meanwhile, outside, there are bystanders, some of whom are on your side and are filming the incident. One of the aggressors is chasing one of the people filming.

What -- exactly -- would you do with your concealed firearm? How would you "protect" yourself in this situation?

I am truly trying to understand how this would have unfolded if you were being verbally assaulted like this.

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

Alphalop's picture

thing that the people that were accosted did. Used my phone to document and upload the video to a live streaming service such as Bambuser or CopWatch

However knowing that if they escalated it to an actual physical confrontation that I would have a better potential ability to defend me and mine from harm would be the only benefit in that situation the way it played out.

That being said, if they initiated an attempt at physical violence I would use the least amount of force necessary to defend myself and those with me to the best of my ability.

You don't take your jack out of the trunk before you have a flat, but you damn well should have one in the event that such a situation occurs. (And you should have already taken the time to learn how to use one properly and safely.)

The same with a firearm.

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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

Seems reasonable to me - and if only all gun-owners were like you, I'd have no concerns in that area. Where's my unicorn fairy-dust wand, dammit?

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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.

Alphalop's picture

but one thing you will find is that for the most part, those that are licensed to carry concealed are generally in the same category as I am, largely due to the fact that most states require card holders to undergo a background screening, extensive education and practice as well as periodic re-certification.

Personally, while being "Pro-Gun" (whatever the hell that even means) I also think that every firearms owner should have to go through the exact same steps prior to purchasing one.

Hell, we require education and certification to drive a car but in the vast majority of states that is not a requirement prior to obtaining a firearm. (my current state included)

When you look at the amount of legal firearms out there, and the percentage of accidents with such items, the accidental discharge or injury rate is in fact incredibly low and almost always can be attributed to ignorance and/or carelessness.

I also think it should be a requirement that all firearms owners own an approved safe to store them in as a significant portion of the firearms used in criminal activities were not bought from stores, but stolen from homes during a burglary due to them not being properly secured.

I think that if we fought the fight for gun safety on these types of issues we would have a lot larger success rate.

Will we ever eliminate problems caused by firearms? Nope.

Nor are we ever to eliminate problems caused by cars, or any other item for that matter.

What we need to focus on is harm reduction not elimination, because one is possible, the other is not.

(Edited to clarify a statement by adding the word legal.)

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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

blazinAZ's picture

I'm glad I asked because my initial interpretation of what you wrote was that you'd have shot at the guy yelling at you. I'm happy that's not the case since I was concerned about the other ppl in the vicinity as well as the two water protectors in the car.

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

Alphalop's picture

those that are pro-concealed carry by those that have little actual interaction with many of us.

Just like with crime, all it takes is a few VERY bad apples to make the rest of the barrel look toxic, but that is seldom the actual reality.

As a retired peace officer I am all to aware of the fact that we can almost never prevent violent crime, all we can do is try to deter it in the future by catching those that did it after the fact.

I don't want to leave my families safety in the hands of law enforcement, particularly these days when they seem to kill the person that called them...

It's sad that this is the world we live in, but one must acknowledge reality in order to increase the likelihood of survival. {Sigh}

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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

Chomsky urged people never to give up as one never knows when history will be changed. He gave the example of some black students sitting at a whites-only counter in a restaurant.

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Such advances always start small, always with a struggle - but now it's down to a fight for life on the planet and without that protest growing and spreading now, there will very soon be nothing left to save.

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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.