PHOTO: Workers United
STANDING ROCK, ND ― On November 12, I traveled to Standing Rock with members of my union, Workers United.
As you get closer to Standing Rock you begin seeing more than 100 flags flying over the land. They represent more than 100 indigenous tribes throughout North America. Here in Standing Rock there are people camping in tents, tepees or sleeping in their cars from all over the country.
The reason for being here is to stop the further construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). This pipeline would run 1,172 miles from North Dakota through South Dakota and Iowa to Illinois.
It would carry oil under the Missouri River, the only source of water for the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. If the pipeline breaks it would contaminate the river’s water, a danger not only to the Sioux tribe, but everyone living in the states that it will cross. This is why it is opposed.
Those visiting the camps and staying for a weekend or longer are given tasks. I volunteered to distribute and separate the food. People from all over the country still continue to give support and donations food, blankets, jackets, water, firewood and so on.
I was able to see that the pipelines are already on the ground and connected. All that needs to be done is for it to be dropped into the river.
During the night, I heard helicopters and drones flying, breaking the silence. They fly very low and without lights. You know they’re flying because of the zooming of their engines.
A small group of us stood watch all night. As the hours pass, we hear singing, a cry to the sky, to the wind. (For a moment you think they are chamales.)
Solidarity is needed now more than ever.
Editors note: On November 20, North Dakota law enforcement agents violently attacked Standing Rock’s water protectors with tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper spray and sound grenades. Even worse, they sprayed the camp with water cannons in sub-freezing conditions. It has been reported that 160 were injured.
Why the attack?
The Dakota Access Pipeline financial base is in jeopardy if they do not complete the project before January 1. If this deadline is not met, most interested parties with contracts to send oil through the pipeline may renegotiate or cancel them. This could be devastating for energy transfer partners and other oil pipeline companies behind the DAPL.
