Kudos to the Herald for covering the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Fort Lewis College kids who went to Cannonball, N.D., recently. I was fortunate enough to go with them and it was one of the most humbling experiences of my life.
When I was in the camp, there were approximately 8,000 protectors from all over the world praying and peacefully protesting together. Having gotten back a day or so ago, I can only say that I am stunned and totally affected by the praying, solemn ceremony and direct action I saw there in cold and windy conditions.
This is such an important issue on so many fronts: Native rights, water quality and the environment, as well as we the people paying government militia to protect private corporations. The military and police have injured hundreds of peaceful, unarmed protesters. These are not the values our country was founded on; and the First Amendment grants the right to peaceful assembly.
Please contact the following entities to tell them not to grant an access easement under Lake Oahe, which is on tribal lands, and to stop the violence being perpetrated upon peaceful, unarmed protesters. Ask them to re-route the pipeline through Bismarck or south of the reservation.
Please call the Army Corps of Engineers in Omaha – (402) 995-2229; the president’s office – (202) 456-1111; and the governor of North Dakota, Jack Dalyrimple – (701) 328-2200. You may also donate at numerous Facebook sites; just be sure they’re authentic.
Please act as quickly as possible.
Julie Meadows
Durango
