In a remarkable show of solidarity, a wave of U.S. veterans is arriving at Standing Rock, North Dakota, where Native Americans and their allies have been protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline. This controversial project is seen as a threat to sacred lands and water sources, risking pollution and desecration of burial grounds.
Organized by veteran James Parker and filmmaker Alex Rivers, this group of veterans is dedicated to protecting the demonstrators from what they describe as aggressive tactics employed by militarized police and pipeline security. As of Friday afternoon, their crowdfunding campaign has raised an astonishing $860,070. Their mission is clear: to ensure a peaceful presence and to reject any form of violence or hatred.
Renee Blackwater, a writer for Tribal Voices, tweeted a heartwarming image of veterans making their way to the site. Many of these brave men and women are leaving behind their families, jobs, and everyday lives to stand up against what they see as a grave injustice. One veteran, Chris Johnson, took it a step further, walking over 200 miles to show his commitment to the water protectors, saying, “They’re our people, my people, your people.”
Johnson explained in a video that he made the sacrifice to join the protest despite being a father of three. “We took an oath to defend the Constitution and our country, and right now, the threats we face are domestic,” he stated, pointing to the police barricades.
The tactics used against the protesters have gained attention via social media, revealing the harsh realities on the ground. Reports indicate that law enforcement has resorted to using tear gas, rubber bullets, and even water cannons in frigid temperatures. According to the New York Times, some protesters are now pursuing a class action lawsuit over the alleged excessive use of force.
Beyond providing a protective presence, these veterans are also working to deliver essential supplies like food and water to the demonstrators who have endured the winter elements for months. This mission coincides with North Dakota’s governor issuing a mandatory evacuation order due to severe weather conditions, warning that temperatures could plummet into the single digits. The order complicates matters further, prohibiting supplies from freely entering the area, making it a tense situation for those still on-site.
The Dakota Access Pipeline stretches 1,172 miles with a price tag of $3.8 billion, aiming to transport oil from North Dakota underneath Lake Oahe in the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and through several states before reaching Illinois. It is primarily constructed by Energy Transfers LP, but the section beneath the lake remains unfinished.
The veterans plan to continue arriving throughout the weekend and have expressed intentions to organize future missions. “We’re doing this to support our country, so let’s do it with honor. If not us, who? If not now, when?” they proclaimed on their social media platforms.
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In summary, the gathering of veterans at Standing Rock represents not just a protective effort but a profound act of solidarity against perceived injustices. Their commitment to stand with the protesters highlights the intersection of military service and social activism, illustrating that the fight for justice takes many forms.