Morton County, ND – Over two hundred multi-state law enforcement and National Guard personnel attacked water protectors gathered on unceded 1851 Oceti Sakowin treaty land just north of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in the late morning of Thursday, October 27th.
For hours, the water protectors attempted to hold back the authorities sent to remove them from the path of the Dakota Access Pipeline towards the Missouri River.
High Mobility Military Vehicle (HMMV) trucks driven by the North Dakota National Guard flanked Highway 1806 on the hills as fires burned at barricades set to slow the authorities’ march.
At close range, law enforcement personnel repeatedly fired a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) sound cannon at water protectors in an attempt to drive them out. LRAD attacks were expected and many water protectors had earplugs to mitigate likely permanent damage.
Tasers, beanbag shotgun rounds, concussion grenades and batons with sniper rifle overwatch from MRAP and Bearcat armored vehicles, surrounded with HMMVs were depolyed against the Oceti Sakowin (Sioux) people and their supporters. One Unicorn Riot reporter was struck with a baton by a Hennepin County (MN) deputy acting in a force unit.
In a continuing pattern of foregoing transparency, law enforcement from multiple states concealed their identities by hiding nameplates and badge numbers, which can prevent individual officers from being named and deposed in lawsuits around police brutality and abuse.
Close view of the middle of the formation as law enforcement and military advance:
Police advance towards blockade on Hwy 1806 to evict #OcetiSakowin from 1851 treaty land and pave way for the #DakotaAccessPipeline. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/VRQAGRdN10
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
Tires and debris were burning as law enforcement and military attempted to advance on the highway:
Blockade materials on roadway, vehicle is placed on roadway in front of police line blasting people with LRAD noise https://t.co/zcDC9sOoZx pic.twitter.com/3wDeJBbGae
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
Barricades set on fire as North Dakota police and military advance to evict new Oceti Sakowin winter camp #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/njRJKhu34E
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
12:40 p.m. LRAD sonic weapon activated to attack water protectors at high intensity:
BREAKING: 12:40CDT law enforcement has activated LRAD sonic weapon to attack water protectors at high intensity https://t.co/zcDC9sOoZx pic.twitter.com/RHMl7IHqjT
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
During the afternoon there was smoke generated on the roadway and objects like tires, logs, were placed:
LIVE 12:45PM CDT: There is now smoke generated on the roadway and objects like tires, logs, have been placed https://t.co/zcDC9sOoZx pic.twitter.com/RdgEwhOvQu
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
The elder pictured below in ceremonial garb held a prayer for everyone gathered on Highway 1806 and was arrested shortly after:
This elder in ceremonial garb held a prayer for everyone gathered on Highway 1806 and was arrested shortly after. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/XrL6jqSRFS
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
Police have arrested an elder in ceremonial garb who was praying. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/IJtXUvPQyd
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
Water protectors used lockdown techniques to slow the advance of law enforcement into the Treaty Camp:
Person is locked to this disabled truck currently blocking Highway 1806. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/zG1iSnIJIQ
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
1:38 p.m. Humvee driven by National Guard and police in riot gear deployed to protect DAPL site from indigenous water protectors.
1:38 PM: Humvee driven by National Guard and police in riot gear deployed to protect DAPL site from indigneous water protectors. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/61qWQ8xuWw
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
2:16 p.m. Highway 1806, North Dakota Tactical Operations force pushing water protectors with MRAP and Bearcat armored vehicles
2:16 PM Highway 1806 , North Dakota Tactical Operations force pushing water protectors with MRAP and Bearcat #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/n8AWCacOfK
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
When North Dakota military and police began pushing into treaty land early this afternoon, DAPL was actively working until people entered the site. #NoDAPL
When North Dakota military police began pushing into treaty land early this pm, DAPL was actively working until ppl entered site. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/8yj4JCiMbQ
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
There were several arrests as water protectors entered the construction site:
Several arrests as water protectors enter construction site while authorities move to evict new winter camp on 1851 treaty land. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/9QsxOnaIGS
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
A sniper rifle is pointed directly at the crowd:
Sniper rifle pointed directly at crowd.
Sniper rifle pointed directly at crowd. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/vGVojkVQSt
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
Later in the afternoon materials at the roadblock near the Morton County Road 134 bridge were still burning, blocking passage for authorities:
Smoke from burning roadblock at Morton county road 134 #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/TVdiilHmCI
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
Smoke still burning from roadblock on Morton County road 134. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/stpZOa8aEA
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
The main force unit that was beating people with batons and spraying them with mace was officers from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.
BREAKING: @HennepinSheriff officers are beating water protectors with batons and have just assaulted Unicorn Riot reporters! #NoDAPL
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
Earlier this week, hundreds flooded the City Hall in Minneapolis to condemn the use of Hennepin County deputies and resources being deployed to North Dakota.
Unicorn Riot asked some of the deputies on the frontline why they deployed to North Dakota after the Minneapolis city council issued a declaration in support of Standing Rock, they refused to answer.
.@HennepinSheriff didnt respond to Q about why they deployed to ND after Mnpls city council declaration in support of Standing Rock #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/JpmmojhrNl
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 27, 2016
A medical triage has been set up at Oceti Sakowin camp, treating dozens of people wounded by militarized law enforcement.
In a press conference earlier this evening, Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier estimated 16 arrests. He also answered “no“, when asked if tasers were used; however we will be releasing video footage shortly that clearly shows law enforcement using a taser against water protectors.
As of 7 p.m. CDT, Morton County Sheriff Public Information Officer informed us that an estimated 107 arrests had taken place.
Unicorn Riot will continue to cover events as they develop around the #NoDAPL water protector camps near the Missouri River.
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Unicorn Riot’s coverage of the anti-Dakota Access Pipeline struggle #NoDAPL from early summer 2016 to present:
March – May 2016
- March 29th, “Tribal Citizens Prepare to Blockade Bakken Oil Pipeline“.
- April 3rd, “Tribal Citizens Build Camp in Path of Oil Pipeline“.
- May 5th, “Sacred Stone Camp Resists Dakota Access Pipeline“.
- May 27th, “Dakota Access Pipeline Blockade Enters 2nd Month“.
August 2016
- After covering the camp in the spring of 2016, Unicorn Riot returned to Standing Rock Reservation on Wednesday, August 10th, when Standing Rock tribal members and allies blocked the entrance to the Dakota Access Pipeline construction site.
- On Thursday, August 11th, a dozen or so people were arrested blocking the construction site entrances.
- Day 3, Friday, the fight to protect land & water intensified around the construction sites of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
- On the 4th day, the pipeline resistance encampment swelled and prepared for more action.
- Monday, August 15th, land defenders stormed the construction site halting construction, and the next day construction was halted as well.
- August 17th saw State Police begin checkpoints, roadblocks, and psyops as protesters united to defend water.
- August 24th, camps prepared as Federal injunction hearing looms.
- Camps Organize to Stay as Injunction Postponed.
- On August 31st, Non-Violent Direct Action Stopped DAPL Construction for Over 6 Hours.
September 2016
- September 6, indigenous water protectors swarmed Dakota Access Pipeline site, stopped work
- September 7, Uŋpa Nuŋpa was interviewed about ongoing #noDAPL actions
- North Dakota highway patrol refused to release email correspondence with Energy Transfer Partners
- September 8, ND National Guard took over Dakota Access Pipeline checkpoints
- Friday, September 9, US Govt. overruled federal judge and requested pipeline construction halted at Lake Oahe
- Meanwhile, cultural activities continued at #NoDAPL camps despite more arrests/warrants
- September 13, 20 were arrested during #NoDAPL lockdown, including 2 Unicorn Riot journalists
- September 14, direct actions continued against Dakota Access Pipeline while legal repression intensified
- On September 16 a federal judge dissolved the unconstitutional temporary restraining order Dakota Access, LLC had filed against Stranding Rock tribal members
- September 19, as solidarity protests spread nationwide, the federal appeals court ordered construction temporarily stop on Dakota Access segment as Solidarity Protests Spread Nationwide
- September 21, #NoDAPL noise demo demanded freedom for jailed water protector Olowan Martinez
- September 22, water protectors disrupted the annual meeting of the North Dakota Petroleum Council
- September 25, water protectors planted trees on DAPL construction site
- In Iowa on September 26, a non-violent direct action from the Mississippi Stand camp stopped DAPL construction for the day
- September 26, a caravan of water protectors stopped work at DAPL site
- September 27, militarized police arrested 23 water protectors in DAPL work stoppage
- September 29, a #NoDAPL solidarity action took place at MN Enbridge office
October 2016
- October 3rd-4th saw the “Toxic Tour,” Governor debate disruption, and water protectors attend their court arraignment
- October 4, we learned North Dakota Governor Dalrymple’s email inbox was full of support for #NoDAPL
- October 5, Buffer Zone Holds as Caravans Continue to Disrupt DAPL – New Felony Charges
- October 7, 6 Arrested in Iowa #NoDAPL Action, Including Unicorn Riot Journalist
- October 8, Iowa Water Protectors Blockade DAPL Drill Site Twice in 24 Hours
- October 9, Federal Appeals Court Rules to Allow DAPL Construction
- October 10, 27 Arrests After Water Protectors Pray at DAPL Site on Indigenous People’s Day
- October 12, Lockdown Stops DAPL Construction in Iowa, 3 Arrested, Including Unicorn Riot Journalist
- October 14, Emails Show North Dakota Budget Bureaucracy Behind #NoDAPL Policing
- October 16, Direct Actions Continue to Stop DAPL Construction in Iowa and North Dakota
- October 17, Four Unicorn Riot Journalists Face Charges For Covering #NoDAPL
- October 17, Water Protectors Blockade Highway in Bismarck, Some Charges Dropped
- October 20, As DAPL Construction Advances, Water Protectors Continue Direct Action
- October 22, Water Protectors’ Prayer Walk Ends up with 127 Arrests, Including Unicorn Riot Journalist
- October 23, Law Enforcement Attack Private Drone as Water Protectors Erect Blockade & New Winter Camp
- October 24, Mississippi Stand Blockades Iowa DAPL Drill Waste Site, Drilling Stops
- October 25, Records Release: Morton County’s Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Assistance Agreement
- Hundreds Flood Minneapolis City Hall to Demand Local Sheriff Withdraw from North Dakota
