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On Sunday afternoon, some 2000 Native American veterans are expected to join the protest against the controversial Dakota Access pipeline. And law enforcement in the area say they will give protesters space to peacefully demonstrate. 

The protest is scheduled on the eve of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' deadline for protesters to clear out of their encampment. And it follows an emergency order by the governor to leave federal land. But state and federal officials say they will not forcibly move people out of the camp on Monday or in the near future. 

Tribal elders and one of the veterans' event organizers, Wesley Clark, Jr., whose father is retired U.S. Army General Wesley Clark, met with police about this de-escalation.  Both sides say they have agreed that what they want is a non-violent, peaceful, prayerful protest. A camp spokesman,John Bigelow or White Buffalo Boy, said they're trying to prohibit violence.

"I hope that everybody gets that message on our side. Weapons are not allowed in camp. Weapons are not a part of our message. Weapons are for killing.  We do no want anybody to get hurt, especially the police people who have come from long ways away."

In the 115 days since the protest movement began, law enforcement reports about 500 people have been arrested related to the Dakota Access Pipeline. 

Clashes between the protesters and police have at times been violent.   At a press briefing Saturday afternoon, Cass County Sheriff Paul Laney, who is an operations commander, said police are asking protesters to refrain from violence.  

"We've had objects, we've had threats, actual overt action to hurt us, and so we have to prepare for that. If it was the actions of the peaceful and prayerful, and that was this entire process, we wouldn't be standing here. But like everything, the few ruin it for the many.  We're asking the protesters, turn it peaceful and prayerful."

Protesters say it's the police who have escalated tension by using water cannons and sponge bullets to disperse of what they say are un-armed "Water Protectors" who are exercising their right to legally protest.  

Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier has asked the federal government and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to step in and take control of the conflict. He and other local officials say the state and federal government have "dumped" this into their laps.  He's asking President Obama to intervene and make a decision on an easement permit. 

The easement permit, if approved, would allow the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline to cross under the Missouri River (also known as Lake Oahe in the Dakota Language). But because that easement hasn't been approved or denied, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and hundreds of other tribes represented here, are calling for the president to deny the permit.  

The state, the federal government, and the Morton County sheriff have reiterated they have no plans to physically force people out of the protest camps by a Dec. 5 deadline. Meanwhile, the protesters are busy building and reinforcing temporary structures to withstand the brutal North Dakota winters, and have promised to leave on their terms, not by an order of the state or federal government.

Environmental News

Doualy Xaykaothao

Author

Law enforcement officers and protesters have said they want a non-violent, peaceful and prayerful protest.

Law enforcement says protesters will have space to peacefully demonstrate against pipeline

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