Law enforcement has started to clear remaining protesters from camps near North Dakota’s Standing Rock Indian Reservation, where the construction of the hotly contested Dakota Access Pipeline has begun again against the desires of Sioux and environmental activists.
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The Army Corps of Engineers says the camp needs to be evacuated because of the danger of spring flooding. Majority walked out of the camp at 1 p.m., an hour ahead of the deadline to leave. Authorities later said about 20 fires were set, and two people – a 7-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl – were taken to a Bismarck hospital to be treated for burns.
The pipeline will carry North Dakota oil through the Dakotas and Iowa to a shipping point in IL. They feel the pipeline threatens the sanctity of the land, and Native American tribes argue the pipeline threatens drinking water and cultural sites. According to Energy Transfer Partners, a company behind the pipeline, it’s possible that the construction can be completed and oil transport begun within a few short weeks.
“In the intentional burning of some of the buildings, which may have been ceremonial in nature … there was apparently either a fire out of control or an explosion”, said Mr. Burgum at a livestream press conference after the evacuation.
Many protesters have voluntarily left the camp since it was announced earlier in February that the camp would be closed.
The Obama administration halted pipeline construction in December, but it resumed this month under President Donald Trump. It showed what’s left of the protesters’ camp in addition to the gathering of law enforcement to the north.
Some protesters tell Bloomberg News they are prepared to be arrested, but will remain peaceful. About 350 truckloads were hauled as of Tuesday, said Major French Pope with the Army Corps.
Governor Burgum, a Republican, has said floods pose a safety threat and trash at the camp could pollute the Missouri River, but demonstrators say that fear is overhyped.
“I feel as though now is the time to stand our ground”, said Alethea Phillips, 17, a demonstrator from MI who has spent three months at the camp.
Protesters burned structures all day, calling it a sacred ceremony.
“Today is not going to be one of the proudest days for the state of North Dakota. If there are people who want to harm me, that’s on them”.
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About 100 people voluntarily marched out of the protest camp near Cannon Ball ahead of Wednesday’s deadline. “To feel that it means something”, said Dave Cooley of Vets for Peace.
