Water Protectors Score Key Legal Victories in Fight Against Dakota Access Pipeline

As reported by Democracy Now!:

Native Americans and their allies fighting the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline have scored a series of legal victories. The North Dakota Supreme Court partially granted a petition that will open the door for out-of-state lawyers to represent the more than 600 people who have been arrested amid the ongoing resistance. Also on Wednesday, a federal judge rejected an attempt by the Dakota Access pipeline company, Energy Transfer Partners, to block the Army Corps of Engineers from beginning a lengthy environmental impact statement on the section of the pipeline slated to cross the Missouri River. The ruling means the environmental impact study will now move forward, indefinitely halting construction of the pipeline. The legal victories came only hours before, late Wednesday night, water protectors say police deployed tear gas and rubber bullets against Native Americans trying to erect a tipi on Backwater Bridge, a site of frequent police attacks.

[See all of Democracy Now!'s coverage from Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation, and related crude oil pipeline and Native American environmental justice coverage, here.]

Canada: Sabotage Against Alberta Pipeline Costs Company Half a Million

As reported by Democracy Now!:

In more pipeline news, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police say more than a half-million dollars of damage was caused after people sabotaged an oil pipeline under construction in northern Alberta. Authorities say people used heavy machinery to dig up a section of the contested pipeline.

[See all of Democracy Now!'s coverage from Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation, and related crude oil pipeline and Native American environmental justice coverage, here.]

North Dakota Pushes Bill to Protect Drivers Who Accidentally Hit Water Protectors

As reported by Democracy Now!:

In North Dakota, Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill that would shield drivers from liability if they unintentionally injure or kill a pedestrian obstructing traffic. It’s one of several bills aimed at cracking down on the resistance against the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline, which has seen Native American water protectors at times marching on public roads and highways.

[See all of Democracy Now!'s coverage from Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation, and related crude oil pipeline and Native American environmental justice coverage, here.]

North Dakota: Rubber Bullets and Tear Gas Fired at Water Protectors

As reported by Democracy Now!:

In North Dakota, police opened fire with tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets Monday to disperse water protectors holding a prayer march against the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline near the site where Energy Transfer Partners hopes to drill beneath the Missouri River. Police said they arrested at least three people after they cut through a section of razor wire surrounding the site.

[See all of Democracy Now!'s coverage from Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation, and related crude oil pipeline and Native American environmental justice coverage, here.]

Pipeline Protesters Decry North Dakota Bills That ‘Criminalize’ Protests

As reported by NBC News.

The article quotes Tara Houska of Honor the Earth. Houska will be the keynote kick off speaker at the J21 #WeRise Teach-In in Washington, D.C. after the Women's March.