Obama: Protect Native American Protestors at Standing Rock

On Friday, October 28, Senator Bernie Sanders sent a letter to President Obama requesting that he intervene to protect Native Americans peacefully protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline. [1] At least 140 people were arrested at the construction site in Cannon Ball, N.D., Wednesday after police moved in with tanks and riot gear, using sound cannons, pepper spray and rubber bullets. Hundreds of Native American protectors have gathered at the site since April to protest the pipeline’s construction on land they claim is tribal under the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie.

Sen. Sanders asked that President Obama direct the Justice Department to send observers to the site to protect protestors’ safety and First Amendment rights; call on North Dakota Governor Dalrymple to remove the National Guard from the protest camp; and direct the Army Corps of Engineers to issue an order to stop work on construction of the pipeline near the protest site to reduce tensions while awaiting judicial action. Sanders again called on the president to suspend construction of the pipeline until the Army Corps of Engineers completes a full cultural and environmental review.

Urge President Obama and Members of Congress to take action to protect the protestors at Standing Rock by signing our petition.

References:
1. http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-calls-on-president-to-intervene-in-dakota-access-pipeline-dispute