Stein shot back against rumors of her upcoming arrest on Monday, asking if the state of North Dakota would also “charge the oil company that razed sacred burial grounds?”
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A ruling is expected by Friday on the tribe’s challenge of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to grant permits to the Dallas, Texas-based operators of the $3.8 billion Dakota Access Pipeline, which will cross North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and IL. About 150 to 200 people were present at the protest.
Blair Emerson of the Bismarck Tribune reported that Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault lauded the alleged acts as reminiscent of the Civil Rights Movement, saying: “It was illegal but it was the right thing to do”.
Dr. Jill Stein was seen at the construction site actually vandalizing, spray painting a blade on the equipment. This needs to come to an end.
Morton County Police announced on Facebook on Tuesday that they have issued an arrest warrant for both Stein and Baraka. Possible charge could include trespassing and vandalism, according to media reports. The Bakken Pipeline controversy combines two issues that excite her fan base, hatred of oil companies and support for Native Americans, who believe that the pipeline is being built across their sacred lands.
The weekend’s protests were, nevertheless, somewhat successful. A judge temporarily halted construction Tuesday on part of the project, and will reportedly rule by the end of the week on the tribe’s challenge.
Activists at the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s reservation invited the Green Party ticket to leave a message at the protest site.
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The Standing Rock Sioux tribe also said the Dakota Access Pipeline developer “desecrated and destroyed” some of its “historically, culturally, and religiously important” sites. Stein and Baraka are charged with criminal trespass and criminal mischief, both are class B misdemeanors. The sheriff said he withdrew his officers from Tuesday’s protest because he said some protesters wore masks and carried hatchets.
