Native Americans Stand Up For Their Land

Water protectors… Protests in the US over the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), which began in April, have now reached boiling point as police and military attempt to disperse protestors using force, leading to hundreds of arrests. The DAPL is $3.7 billion project for a 1,172 mile pipeline that would transport crude oil across four states. However, Native American populations, particularly the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, argue that the DAPL ruins sacred burial and prayer sites, as well as contaminate the water supply. Protests ensued, with support for the tribe pouring in from politicians, celebrities, and journalists. As the conflict continues, social media has been flooded with updates and calls for support using the hashtag #NoDAPL.

 

Twitter

Those on the ground shared updates and photos from the site, and Tweeps were quick to circulate them. Criticism was cast on police and military officers who are seen as protecting the corporation and pipeline property, rather than standing with the people.

 

@SenSanders: “The United States owes the Native American people a debt of gratitude and can never be repaid. #NoDAPL”

 

@NYRevClub: “Live from #StandingRock #NoDAPL prayer ceremony/drum circle on road blocked by police for DAPL workers, making clear who they serve & protect.”

@danrolle: “This is the photo that should scare you. The military, protecting corporations. Rubber bullets. We aren’t going away. #NoDAPL”

 

@NativeApprops: “Our #NoDAPL fight isn’t a joke. Literally two days unarmed protectors were being beaten, shot, pepper sprayed, & arrested.”

 

@Crystal1Johnson: “This picture should be shared far & wide. I can only see wrong doing from one side and it isn’t the elder. Bullying cretins! #NoDAPL”

 

@Kenlenkirk: “If you wouldn’t build a pipeline through your church, why is it alright to build one through theirs? #NoDAPL”

 

@iamrashidajones: “Why is this okay? Why is this our response to peaceful protest? @POTUS please talk about this #NoDAPL”

 

Facebook

The Dakota Access Pipeline is a growing trending topic on Facebook, with 1 million users discussing the issue. Most have pointed out the injustices that Native Americans have had to face throughout the history of the United States. Others were criticizing police methods.

 

Bob Arya: Native Americans have been robbed, raped and murdered since colonists arrived. Segregated to hostile lands to build and maintain their culture. The little they were given is under assault. So what do we do? Kick them again. Nice.

 

Amasani Nishli: Native Americans are the last bastion of climate protectors in America. When dependence on technology, greed and materialism destroys this country, it is our NA life ways and knowledge that will spell survival. Oil spills from this pipeline are inevitable, as previously proven, and they are symptomatic of what is to come. We would do well to support our water protectors, who fight for all who live down river.

 

Johanna Martz: We keep taking and destroying the land. We need to respect and protect it because it’s what sustains us more than the need for oil. Clean water is diminishing all over the world. When will we learn to protect it?

 

Kevin David Di Rito: There are no real consequences for the criminal polluters. This defines the first part of the Paradigm that must change. Not only for Humankinds survival as a species but most of our fellow creatures as well.

 

Franchesca “Chescaleigh” Ramsey: The level of force police officers are using against peaceful protesters who are within their right to protect their land AND prevent what could possibly lead to the worst water contamination in history is downright disgusting. #NODAPL

source : gulfnews