By Nick Bernabe
Protecting the Dakota Access Pipeline has proved an expensive undertaking for the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (DES), the government agency overseeing law enforcement at the contested construction site.
According to a statement from the governor’s office, costs of policing the pipeline site where Native American activists, or “water protectors,” have blocked construction over land rights and water contamination concerns have skyrocketed to $1.8 million. These costs include “about $1.08 million is from DES for overtime pay and resources, plus $700,000 in North Dakota Highway Patrol costs,” according to the Bismarck Tribune.
The Department of Emergency Services is now requesting a $6 million loan from the Bank of North Dakota because it doesn’t have the resources to cover militarized law enforcement crackdowns on protests for a prolonged period. “We’ve never done this,” DES spokeswoman Cecily Fong said regarding their role in the Dakota Access Pipeline protest response. “We’re good at fighting floods.”
As the number of protesters grows, so does the presence of militarized law enforcement and National Guard troops. On Tuesday, riot gear-clad police began to crack down on water protectors who had chained themselves to construction equipment, claiming they were trespassing on private property. At least 20 unarmed people were arrested at gunpoint, including medics and journalists.
It’s clear the Native American camp and North Dakota law enforcement are gearing up for a long, drawn out battle over the Dakota Access Pipeline.
“Energy Transfer Partners has proven time and time again that the bottom line for them is money. The bottom line for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is and will always be protecting our lands, people, water, and sacred sites from the devastation of this pipeline,” Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault said in a statement, making it clear the protest will continue until the pipeline is stopped.
More of Anti-Media’s Dakota Access Pipeline coverage can be found here.
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When this is all over (and ETP is victorious), they should sue the “tribes” (gangs) of these red terrorists to pay for this loan. And also go after their Great White Father- George Soros.
NONE of the tribes have been violent or harmed anyone! They are fighting for their water, which may well be harmed by leak in pipeline, there have already been numerous leaks in other oil pipelines. The tribes were not asked their permission, which is legally what is supposed to happen. The Native Americans have done nothing wrong but Energy Transfer sure has, even attacking the water protecters with attack dogs. There are no firearms or weapons or alcohol allowed at Standing Rock,these are peaceful people who are holding prayer vigils.
Why do you hate red people so much? What did they ever do to you? And why are you taking money for writing an obvious shill piece for the wrong side? Your hatred is pretty obvious and despicable and you know ZERO about the situation, which is also obvious.