PIPELINES:
• Tensions rise again as Dakota Access pipeline protesters try to push past a blocked off bridge and police respond with water cannons* and what appeared to be tear gas. (Associated Press)
• The public defender system in North Dakota is challenged in the wake of nearly 150 pipeline protesters being arrested and charged in October. (Rapid City Journal)
• The Dakota Access pipeline developer will not consider re-routing a contentious section of the project. (Reuters)
• Great Lakes tribes are rallying around the Dakota Access pipeline protests to fight against twin pipelines operating in the Straits of Mackinac. (Environmental Health News)
[* Regarding the use of water cannons, the following release went out:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The physicians and tribal healers with the Standing Rock Medic and Healer Council call for the immediate cessation of use of water cannons on people who are outdoors in 28F ambient weather with no means of
active rewarming in these conditions. As medical professionals, we are concerned for the real risk of loss of life due to severe hypothermia under these conditions. We call on the Morton County Sheriff's office to
immediately stop the potentially lethal use of these confrontational methods against people peacefully assembled. We request media support, medical support and observers to the area immediately.
Dr Linda Black Elk, Standing Rock Tribal Healer
Dr Jesse Lopez, Trauma Surgeon
Dr Rupa Marya, Internal Medicine, UCSF
Dr Kalama O Ka Aina
Dr Howard Ehrman, University of Illinois]