North Dakota police are dousing anti-pipeline protesters with water in sub-freezing weather
On Sunday night, law enforcement officers in North Dakota clashed with Standing Rock Sioux protesters and their allies in the fight to block the Dakota Access pipeline near the Backwater Bridge on Highway 1806 outside Cannon Ball. The Morton County Sheriff's Office said that about 400 protesters pushed aside a burned-out truck blocking the bridge on Sunday evening, and a line of police then formed to block the protesters from crossing. Video posted by medics on the scene appeared to show police shooting water cannons and tear gas at protesters, with temperatures below freezing.
Self-identified medics also say some of the protesters have been wounded with rubber bullets, and one organizer said the Cannon Ball gym has been opened to treated people hit with water or tear gas in the sub-freezing night. The Standing Rock Sioux and environmental advocates say the 1,200-mile pipeline could contaminate water that the Native Americans rely on for drinking water, as well as endanger sites that are sacred to the tribe. On Friday, Kelcy Warren, the CEO of Energy Transfer Partners, which is building the pipeline, said the company is unwilling to reroute the conduit to address protesters' concerns.
The Backwater Bridge is near where the protesters were forcibly removed from Energy Transfer Partners–owned land in October.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
US charges Indian tycoon with bribery, fraud
Speed Read Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his role in a $265 million scheme to secure solar energy deals
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strike
Speed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published