Urgent Appeal for International Observers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dakota Access Pipeline Resistance, Standing Rock North Dakota
Contact:
Joseph White Eyes 605-230-0812
jwhiteeyes62@gmail.com
Michelle Cook 914-334-0888
cookmichelle7@gmail.com
Carolyn Raffensperger 515-450-2320
raffenspergerc@cs.com
We, the Indigenous defenders of the land and water within the traditional treaty lands of the Oceti Sakowin, make an urgent appeal to the international community to assist us in facing a human rights crisis. Dakota Access is trying to put a crude oil pipeline under the Missouri River. This is a dire threat to the drinking water and future generations of the Oceti Sakowin who have lived here for generations.
For the past few days there has been unidentified air-craft circling the camp and we’ve been surrounded by federal and state police. We believe the elders, women and children present at this peaceful assembly could be under threat and in danger of imminent harm and possible violence from state and federal police (including Homeland Security) as well as private security. The Governor of North Dakota has issued a state of emergency and closed roads and restricted freedom of movement. We are unarmed. We do not have cell phone service or wifi. We are unable to communicate and document for the world community this peaceful assembly.
We are committed to peaceful defense of our water and our territory.
We urgently seek national and international human rights observers to come. We need United Nations’ rapporteurs, NGOs (especially Indigneous NGOs), and Churches, to be aware of the rapidly escalating dangers facing this peaceful gathering. Please come and bear witness.
admin
Groups like 350.org and Climate First! are standing in solidarity with the North Dakoka occupation. Here is an email alert from Jason Kowalski at 350.org:
Today's the day when a federal judge could decide the fate of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe have bravely resisted this pipeline for months, and now is our opportunity to show solidarity and gratitude.
We'll be joined by tribal representatives from the Standing Rock Sioux Nation including Wiyaka Eagleman and Joseph White Eyes, as well as activists Josh Fox, Shailene Woodley and Susan Sarandon.
We know we need to keep fossil fuels in the ground and that means #NoDAPL.
See you there,
Jason
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Friends,
We know that to defeat a pipeline, it takes a movement of people from all corners of the nation.
Right now, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe are standing up against a pipeline comparable to Keystone XL. The Dakota Access Pipeline threatens sacred land and water, and would carry half a million barrels of crude oil per day across four states.
Over 700 indigenous activists have gathered at the Sacred Stone Camp along the pipeline route in a historic moment of nonviolent resistance. In the last week, 18 people have been arrested for blocking construction – and now they’re asking allies for support in Washington D.C. as they battle this pipeline in court.
The Tribe filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Army Corps of Engineers for approving the project – and this Wednesday will determine whether or not the permits for the project can move forward. We know we need to keep fossil fuels in the ground and that means no more fossil fuel pipelines like this one.
Here are the details:
What: Rally and press conference against the Dakota Access Pipeline
When: 1:00 – 2:00pm on Wednesday, August 24th
Where: Outside the U.S. District Court, 333 Constitution Ave, NW, Washington DC
RSVP: Join the Facebook event here and invite your friends!
So far, the speaker lineup includes activist Josh Fox, actress and activists, Shailene Woodley and Susan Sarandon, as well as tribal representatives from the Standing Rock Sioux Nation.
Together, we can show solidarity and honor the warriors who are fighting with everything they have to protect what impacts all of us.
Hope to see you there,
Jason Kowalski, and the 350.org team
admin
...[actors] Susan Sarandon, Riley Keough and Shailene Woodle were protesting outside the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia during a hearing related to the $3.7 billion project.
Sarandon told Reuters she joined the protesters to bring attention to “this horrible thing that is happening to their land.”
Sarandon has long had a keen interest in nuclear power matters as well, including security, safety, health and environmental protection (or lack thereof) at Entergy Nuclear's Indian Point nuclear power plant, very near her home in New York City.
The article also mentioned additional Hollywood stars opposing Dakota Access Pipeline, Ltd. (DAPL):
The project has garnered attention from Hollywood players before Wednesday’s hearing.
Earlier this year, Leonardo DiCaprio shared images on Instagram and Twitter voicing support the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s efforts to oppose the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Jason Momoa, who will star as Aquaman in the upcoming “Justice League” film, also took to social media to protest the project’s route.