Standing Rock

This week more than one million people “checked in” on Facebook to show unison and support for the Standing Rock protest. Rebecca Hersher, Obama: Army Corps Examining Possible Rerouting of Dakota Access Pipeline, www.npr.org (Nov. 2, 2016). Obama stated on Tuesday that possible alternative routes for the Dakota Access Pipeline are being explored. Id. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is examining a way to accommodate sacred Native American lands; and so the project will be delayed several more weeks in efforts to find a resolution. Id.

This statement by Obama sparked mixed sentiment amongst the demonstrators. Dave Archambault II, the chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux, had a positive response to Obama’s message stating, “We believe President Obama and his administration will do the right thing.” Id. However, Cody Schulz, the Morton County Chairman, believes Obama should do more, such as sending “support and resources necessary to enforce the law and protect people’s right to peacefully protest.” Id.

At Standing Rock demonstrators and law enforcement officers have been clashing, with more than 100 arrests occurring last week. Id. Protesters of the pipeline have been occupying near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota, where the pipeline would cross over sacred sites and burial places, and could possibly pollute drinking water. Id. Unfortunately, at the present time it is not clear what the possible rerouting plan will entail, or how the plan might reduce tension between demonstrators and law enforcement. Id.