Growing anti-Dakota Access Pipeline camp digs in amid blizzard, eviction threats
The Army Corps of Engineers is urging the protesters to leave by Dec. 5, North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple (R) has issued an "emergency evacuation" order, and it's snowing heavily in Cannon Ball, but the encampment to protest and block completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline just keeps getting bigger. Dallas Goldtooth, an organizer with Indigenous Environmental Network, estimates that 5,000 people are in the camp, spearheaded by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
Many of the new arrivals are white environmental activists — tribal leaders and fellow protesters have had to ask some of them to stop treating the protest like Burning Man or a hippie festival — but the protesters say they plan to stay put, regardless of blizzard or evacuation threat. "We have lived for generations in this setting," Standing Rock Sioux spokeswoman Phyllis Young said Monday night, referring to the federal land the encampment is on. "That is our camp.... This is Lakota territory. This is treaty territory, and no one else has jurisdiction there."
The Standing Rock Sioux say the planned route of the nearly completed, $3.8 billion pipeline connecting North Dakota's Bakken shale fields to a processing facility in Illinois, burrowing under the Missouri River's Lake Oahe, endangers the water supply for their nearby reservation and could harm sacred native sites. In September, the Army Corps suspended approval of a permit to allow the pipeline to pass under the lake, and the Standing Rock Sioux are trying to block the last leg of the pipeline in federal court. The pipeline is being worked on 24/7, and is now just a few miles away from the protesters' camp, CNN's Sara Sidner notes in her report below. "But certainly they feel they can stop this as long as they stay put." Peter Weber
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.
-
The mental health crisis affecting vets
Under The Radar Death of Hampshire vet highlights mental health issues plaguing the industry
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, 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
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published