Discourage Minnesota law enforcement agencies from sending police officers to the Dakota Access Pipeline protest at Standing Rock.
Why is this important?
According to the ACLU Minnesota has deployed over 40 law enforcement personnel to Standing Rock. According to MN Governor Dayton, this is in compliance with a compact between states in the case of a "state of emergency". However, this is not a "state of emergency". When police moved in with tanks and riot gear, using sound cannons, pepper spray, mace, rubber bullets and water cannons, this became a militaristic style police action in support of big corporate oil (Energy Transfer Equity) and against the peaceful protestation of the people of Standing Rock who are standing in protection of their treaty, sacred land and water rights (the Water protectors). (Hundreds of Native American protectors have gathered at the site since April to protest the pipeline’s construction on land they claim is tribal under the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie.) Tax funded Minnesota state resources: including Sheriff, Police, Fire and Equipment, should not be used to support a privately owned pipeline nor to oppress an indigenous people. This is one of the poorest counties in our nation, and they are being taken advantage of in leu of putting the pipeline near the community of Bismarck where it was originally planned.
