Morton County, ND – Early on Saturday, October 22nd, water protectors from the camps near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation set out on foot to confront construction that threatens to destroy more sacred burial sites.
The sun rises as large crowd of water protectors marches from camp towards DAPL construction encroaching on ancient burial sites. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/tgQPLsDy7c
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 22, 2016
Unicorn Riot was on the ground documenting and providing live streaming coverage.
#Breaking: Water protectors march onto Dakota Access work site 2 miles from Standing Rock reservation. Lockdown already in place. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/jBYeqHUCVy
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 22, 2016
More than 30 water protectors have been arrested from this action, including a Unicorn Riot journalist.
Current scene at Dakota Access Pipeline work site in Morton County, North Dakota. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/AcoZcQ6J7n
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 22, 2016
This is the fifth time a Unicorn Riot journalist has been targeted and arrested for documenting actions around #NoDAPL.
Heavily armed riot police w/ MRAP maced non-violent #NoDAPL water protectors and made ~30 arrests, including a Unicorn Riot journalist. pic.twitter.com/vJYPdvnmor
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 22, 2016
Dakota Access has continued with construction despite the September 9 request from the federal government to suspend construction within 20 miles east and west of Lake Oahe.
Dozens of riot police were guarding the construction site, which is about five miles away from the encampments.
Estimated 100 riot police with Bearcat guarding DAPL site. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/0wqtYliBcC
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 22, 2016
Private security vehicles were observed backing up as the water protectors approached the construction site.
Private security vehicles backing up as march of water protectors approaches. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/vVY5sUV1Il
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 22, 2016
DAPL security guards were watching from hill as water protectors marched towards the burial grounds close to ongoing construction.
DAPL security watching from hill as water protectors continue to advance towards pipeline site near burial grounds #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/N126xbAozQ
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 22, 2016
Pipeline construction has very recently moved two miles closer to the Standing Rock reservation.
March of water protectors approaching DAPL construction which in last day or so has moved two miles closer to Standing Rock. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/UZlw40EaEb
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 22, 2016
As water protectors neared the DAPL construction site, riot police were observed lining up at a fence while a helicopter circled low overhead.
Helicopter circling extremely low as water protectors prayer walk nears DAPL site. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/Ojb3i5aok7
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 22, 2016
Riot police line up at fence to DAPL site as water protectors approach. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/DaO9jEilPG
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 22, 2016
~9:30a.m.: as #NoDAPL water protectors drew nearer to site of construction, riot police were observed holding batons pic.twitter.com/sA3wrUtnOj
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 22, 2016
As of 10:30 a.m. CDT, water protectors were being kettled by riot police, including Unicorn Riot journalist Lorenzo.
~9:40 a.m. CST: #NoDAPL water protectors on prayer walk kettled and arrested near burial grounds, including @UR_Ninja journalist Lorenzo. pic.twitter.com/Hm39LjOWUl
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 22, 2016
Approximately half of the group has been arrested.
Reports are coming in that many #NoDAPL water protectors were maced, 1 badly beaten w/ a tear gas launcher after police surrounded marchers.
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 22, 2016
Morton County Sheriff says they're charging individuals that were arrested this AM w/ "criminal trespass and engaging in a riot". #NoDAPL
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 22, 2016
We will continue to update this post as more information becomes available.
Below is the livestream of some of the action.
Unicorn Riot will continue to regularly provide direct updates about resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline. Follow our media on Twitter, Facebook, and our website for more information surrounding the ongoing struggles against the Dakota Access Pipeline.
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Unicorn Riot’s early summer reports of the anti-Dakota Access Pipeline struggle:
March 29th, “Tribal Citizens Prepare to Blockade Bakken Oil Pipeline“; April 3rd, “Tribal Citizens Build Camp in Path of Oil Pipeline“; May 5th, “Sacred Stone Camp Resists Dakota Access Pipeline“; and May 27th, “Dakota Access Pipeline Blockade Enters 2nd Month“.
Our coverage of #NoDAPL from August 2016 until present:
August 2016
- After covering the camp in the spring of 2016, Unicorn Riot returned to Standing Rock Reservation on Wednesday, August 10th, when Standing Rock tribal members and allies blocked the entrance to the Dakota Access Pipeline construction site.
- On Thursday, August 11th, a dozen or so people were arrested blocking the construction site entrances.
- Day 3, Friday, the fight to protect land & water intensified around the construction sites of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
- On the 4th day, the pipeline resistance encampment swelled and prepared for more action.
- Monday, August 15th, land defenders stormed the construction site halting construction, and the next day construction was halted as well.
- August 17th saw State Police begin checkpoints, roadblocks, and psyops as protesters united to defend water.
- August 24th, camps prepared as Federal injunction hearing looms.
- Camps Organize to Stay as Injunction Postponed.
- On August 31st, Non-Violent Direct Action Stopped DAPL Construction for Over 6 Hours.
September 2016
- September 6, indigenous water protectors swarmed Dakota Access Pipeline site, stopped work
- September 7, Uŋpa Nuŋpa was interviewed about ongoing #noDAPL actions
- North Dakota highway patrol refused to release email correspondence with Energy Transfer Partners
- September 8, ND National Guard took over Dakota Access Pipeline checkpoints
- Friday, September 9, US Govt. overruled federal judge and requested pipeline construction halted at Lake Oahe
- Meanwhile, cultural activities continued at #NoDAPL camps despite more arrests/warrants
- September 13, 20 were arrested during #NoDAPL lockdown, including 2 Unicorn Riot journalists
- September 14, direct actions continued against Dakota Access Pipeline while legal repression intensified
- On September 16 a federal judge dissolved the unconstitutional temporary restraining order Dakota Access, LLC had filed against Stranding Rock tribal members
- September 19, as solidarity protests spread nationwide, the federal appeals court ordered construction temporarily stop on Dakota Access segment as Solidarity Protests Spread Nationwide
- September 21, #NoDAPL noise demo demanded freedom for jailed water protector Olowan Martinez
- September 22, water protectors disrupted the annual meeting of the North Dakota Petroleum Council
- September 25, water protectors planted trees on DAPL construction site
- In Iowa on September 26, a non-violent direct action from the Mississippi Stand camp stopped DAPL construction for the day
- September 26, a caravan of water protectors stopped work at DAPL site
- September 27, militarized police arrested 23 water protectors in DAPL work stoppage
- September 29, a #NoDAPL solidarity action took place at MN Enbridge office
October 2016
- October 3rd-4th saw the “Toxic Tour,” Governor debate disruption, and water protectors attend their court arraignment
- October 4, we learned North Dakota Governor Dalrymple’s email inbox was full of support for #NoDAPL
- October 5, Buffer Zone Holds as Caravans Continue to Disrupt DAPL – New Felony Charges
- October 7, 6 Arrested in Iowa #NoDAPL Action, Including Unicorn Riot Journalist
- October 8, Iowa Water Protectors Blockade DAPL Drill Site Twice in 24 Hours
- October 9, Federal Appeals Court Rules to Allow DAPL Construction
- October 10, 27 Arrests After Water Protectors Pray at DAPL Site on Indigenous People’s Day
- October 12, Lockdown Stops DAPL Construction in Iowa, 3 Arrested, Including Unicorn Riot Journalist
- October 14, Emails Show North Dakota Budget Bureaucracy Behind #NoDAPL Policing
- October 16, Direct Actions Continue to Stop DAPL Construction in Iowa and North Dakota
- October 17, Four Unicorn Riot Journalists Face Charges For Covering #NoDAPL
- October 17, Water Protectors Blockade Highway in Bismarck, Some Charges Dropped
- October 20, As DAPL Construction Advances, Water Protectors Continue Direct Action