Red Warrior Camp
October 21, 2016
Note: This report is a synthesis of information obtained from DAPL’s official status reports and on the ground observations from vigilant water protectors on the frontline at Standing Rock.
The Black Snake is encroaching rapidly. It is apparent that DAPL is continuing work every single day at an accelerated speed. We need Water Protectors to come to Standing Rock and physically support this resistance NOW.
The Dakota Access Pipeline Project is a gargantuan pipeline measuring approximately 1,172-miles and 30-inches in diameter. The proposed route aims to continue the exploitation of the Bakken and Three Forks areas in indigenous territories from so-called North Dakota to Patoka, Illinois. The outrageously expensive $3.8 billion pipeline aims to violently extract crude oil from sacred lands and transport it to major refining markets in an exploitative and environmentally disastrous manner. The pipeline backers are knowingly prioritizing their projected fiscal profits over the imminent threat to clean drinking water for the Sioux nation and millions of people downstream of the Mississippi.
More than two dozen major banks and financial institutions are deliberately desecrating historically sacred sites daily and continue to ignore the immense outcry from native peoples worldwide. These short-sighted investors plan to capitalize from building more infrastructure for oil dependency despite this approach proving to be catastrophically unsustainable.
A growing community of brave people defending sacred water has been organizing to stop this unnatural disaster. Depending upon the mobilization of large numbers of water protectors to the frontline in Standing Rock the pipeline is projected to be fully stopped by the end of 2016.
Construction Activity
- As of September 30th, Dakota Access Energy Transfer states in their monthly report that 87% of the Dakota Access Pipeline is complete. See below.
- Of the original 20 mile injunction, only 8 miles of land remains untouched.
- There is pipe staged less than 8 miles from camp.
- Pipe has been welded and laid in the ground within 12 miles of camp.
- Active trenching is happening east of Highway 6.
- From the October 4th North Dakota Public Service Commission Site Inspection Report. See below.
- “Protestors have been shutting down construction crews frequently.”
- “Many workers have quit due to high media coverage.”
Law Enforcement Activity
- There is heavy police presence on active worksites east of Highway 6.
- More than 140 people have been arrested in connection with resisting the pipeline.
- Camp has been under near-constant surveillance by low flying planes, helicopters and drones for weeks. The National Lawyers Guild and ACLU of North Dakota have sent Freedom of Information Act and North Dakota Open Records Act requests to multiple state and federal agencies regarding surveillance and militarized police presence.
- The Bureau of Indian Affairs mobile station that was posted 2 miles south of camp was last seen on Highway 6 at the site of the KKKolumbus Day Eagle and Condor Ceremony.
- The National Guard “information checkpoint” is now only 8 miles north of our camp on Highway 1806. It was initially positioned 30 miles north of camp, 6 miles south of Mandan. The concrete-barrier checkpoint was removed for a short period last week. Many criticized the ineffectiveness and questioned the legality of the checkpoint on the main highway southbound into camp.The national guard issues a statement that their forces would instead be focused on community outreach, but they are now set up much closer to camp.
Links
- October 4th Site Inspection Trip Report – North Dakota Public Service Commission
- September 2016 Construction Status Report – Dakota Access Pipeline Project
- DAPL Project Maps – Energy Transfer
- Pipeline Incident Log Over 20 Years -US Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
- Red Warrior Camp Facebook
- Red Warrior Camp Fundraiser
Contact: RedWarriorCamp@riseup.net
