Human Rights
The entire nuclear fuel chain involves the release of radioactivity, contamination of the environment and damage to human health. Most often, communities of color, indigenous peoples or those of low-income are targeted to bear the brunt of these impacts, particularly the damaging health and environmental effects of uranium mining. The nuclear power industry inevitably violates human rights. While some of our human rights news can be found here, we also focus specifically on this area on out new platform, Beyond Nuclear International.
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November 16, 2016Proclamation of City of Kalamazoo, Michigan in support of Standing Rock
The Mayor of the City Of Kalamazoo, Michigan has signed a proclamation in support of the Water Protectors at Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota. He did so on the 15th of November 2016 to honor the public day of gatherings nationwide honoring the Native American effort to save the Missouri River, their own lands and the patrimony of us all from destruction.
EcoWatch: Army Corps to Engage Standing Rock Sioux on Dakota Access Pipeline
As reported by EcoWatch, including a link to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' announcement:
Today, the Army informed the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Energy Transfer Partners, and Dakota Access, LLC, that it has completed the review that it launched on September 9, 2016. The Army has determined that additional discussion and analysis are warranted in light of the history of the Great Sioux Nation’s dispossessions of lands, the importance of Lake Oahe to the Tribe, our government-to-government relationship, and the statute governing easements through government property.
The Army invites the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to engage in discussion regarding potential conditions on an easement for the pipeline crossing that would reduce the risk of a spill or rupture, hasten detection and response to any possible spill, or otherwise enhance the protection of Lake Oahe and the Tribe’s water supplies. The Army invites discussion of the risk of a spill in light of such conditions, and whether to grant an easement for the pipeline to cross Lake Oahe at the proposed location. The Army continues to welcome any input that the Tribe believes is relevant to the proposed pipeline crossing or the granting of an easement.
While these discussions are ongoing, construction on or under Corps land bordering Lake Oahe cannot occur because the Army has not made a final decision on whether to grant an easement. The Army will work with the Tribe on a timeline that allows for robust discussion and analysis to be completed expeditiously.
We fully support the rights of all Americans to assemble and speak freely, and urge everyone involved in protest or pipeline activities to adhere to the principles of nonviolence.
Army Wants Further Study Of Dakota Access Pipeline Route
As reported by NPR. However, even though the Army Corps of Engineers has not granted a permit to Energy Transfer Parterns to drill under the Missouri River to lay the final section of the Dakota Access Pipeline, the company has stated it plans to continue construction regardless.
Protests Against Dakota Access Pipeline Planned for Nov. 15 in 100+ Cities Worldwide
Tomorrow, actions are planned at dozens of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offices and other government buildings in more than 100 cities worldwide, demanding the Obama administration stop the Dakota Access pipeline. Meanwhile, the head of Energy Transfer Partners, Kelcy Warren, has said he’s "100 percent" confident Trump will support the completion of the Dakota Access pipeline. Warren donated more than $100,000 to Trump’s campaign, while Trump has between $500,000 and $1 million invested in Energy Transfer Partners. This is Warren speaking on CBS.
CBS reporter: "Once he takes over, January 20th, what are the prospects?"
Kelcy Warren: "Oh, it’s 100 percent."
CBS reporter: "A hundred percent that?"
Kelcy Warren: "That the easement gets granted and the pipeline gets built."
CBS reporter: "Have you spoken to Donald Trump about the pipeline?"
Kelcy Warren: "I’ve never met the man."
CBS reporter: "You’ve never met him?"
Kelcy Warren: "No."
CBS reporter: "But he’s invested in you, and you’re invested in him."
Kelcy Warren: "Well, I wish him well."