NoDAPL Solidarity: 2 Powerful Actions in First 2 Days of 2017

On January 1, two water protectors climbed a truss in the US Bank stadium during a Vikings game in Minneapolis and unfurled a banner that said "Divest" and "NoDAPL" and featured the bank's logo. It was audacious and elegant, and social media lit up with video and images from inside the stadium.

divest banner.JPG

Independent media outlet Unicorn Riot has a great report here, including a 17-second video statement from one of the activists while they were still dangling hundreds of feet above the floor of the stadium.

The following video (2:46) shows the beginning of the unfurling.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r42IW-lHxsE&feature=youtu.be&a]

From the press release that was sent out while they were up there:

Sen Holiday, one of two climbers, states, "We are here in solidarity with water protectors from Standing Rock to urge US Bank to divest from the Dakota Access Pipeline."

US Bank has 175 million dollars in credit lines to Energy Transfer Partners, a parent company of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

**edited to correct name and add info and source about their release**Three people -- Karl Mayo Zimmerman, Sen Holiday, and Carolyn Feldman -- were arrested: the two climbers and a support person who was waiting below. Unicorn Riot says they were charged with burglary (which sounds odd), but I read elsewhere that they were charged with trespassing. They've been released. I don't know why Karl looks like his face was cut up.

Rose Parade

On January 2, approximately 500 water protectors, including many indigenous people, marched through Pasadena at the end of the Rose Bowl Parade. Their float was a tipi surrounded by snow, and there was a huge "black snake" pipeline with Water Is Life and other slogans in both English and Spanish.

rose parade 4_0.JPG

As I watched the livestream of the march, I was struck by the enthusiasm, support, and determination of the participants and the people commenting and sharing. At one point, there were more than 2400 people watching live. There was little coverage by the mainstream media, but at the end of the NBC broadcast, the NoDAPL contingent could be seen in the background for about 30 seconds, and there was an overhead shot that showed the black snake.

rose parade 5_0.JPG

A longish video of the pre-march assembling, with great images and interviews.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTiAYui0HK8&feature=youtu.be]

I posted a few other pix in an essay earlier today. http://caucus99percent.com/content/nodapl-live-rose-parade

We are not stopping. We are not giving up.

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reporting on this subject.

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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

Creosote.'s picture

several links leading to the best places to contribute funds to this immensely important effort.

And strongest warm wishes to you for the New Year, with huge thanks for your No DAPL reporting!

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blazinAZ's picture

Here you go, Creosote. Thanks for asking and thanks for reading!

Water Protector Legal Collective: https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/11B5z8

Last Real Indians (people still on-site at Oceti Oyate camp): https://www.generosity.com/fundraising/last-real-indians-nodapl-aid

Sacred Stone Camp (also still on-site): http://sacredstonecamp.org/

At this point, cash is preferred to stuff, since deliveries have been problematic, with the exception of large shipments of propane (tanker size) and wood (truckloads).

Every little bit that we contribute is helpful!

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

Creosote.'s picture

I received many appeals from Sacred Stone Camp earlier, but haven't seen them lately.
Almost all my funding responses during the recent deluge of year-end appeals were to groups like the United Farm Workers, Organic Consumers Association (with their Regenertive Agriculture branch), Honor the Earth, RAVEN, and Food & Water Watch.
Warmest thanks again for your work. It is truly a privilege to be here.

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blazinAZ's picture

Honor the Earth still has a strong presence at the camp and at other indigenous struggles concerning the environment. For those who don't know them, check out http://www.honorearth.org/

One other group that needs financial support that I forgot to mention is the Medic and Healer Council at Oceti Oyate (All Nations Camp), which was formerly known as Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council Fires Camp). http://medichealercouncil.com/donate/

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

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divineorder's picture

by the banner!

Water protectors are really making a difference

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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.

sojourns's picture

apartheid then America can do this.

woooo hoooo

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"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage

Bollox Ref's picture

A development flogged for years by the local fake news outlet, the StarTribune (Big Hillary supporters). Which had land involved as part of the deal/purchase.

Gotta love neolibs.

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Gëzuar!!
from a reasonably stable genius.

Alligator Ed's picture

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