In a powerful display of solidarity, around 2,000 U.S. veterans are arriving at Standing Rock, North Dakota, to support Native American protesters opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline. This controversial project poses risks to sacred lands, water resources, and the environment, igniting a passionate response from the community and its allies.
Organized by veteran Mike Johnson and former screenwriter and veteran Alex Reynolds, this initiative aims to protect demonstrators from what they describe as aggressive tactics employed by militarized police and pipeline security. Their crowdfunding campaign has successfully raised over $860,000 to support this mission, which emphasizes nonviolence and respect.
Among the veterans making the trek is John Smith, who walked over 200 miles to join the cause. He left his family and job behind, expressing a heartfelt commitment to the protesters: “These are our people, my people, your people,” he stated in a video. Smith, like many others, believes in the oath they took to protect the Constitution and uphold justice against domestic threats.
The situation at Standing Rock has been tense, with reports of law enforcement using tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons against protesters. A class-action lawsuit has been filed alleging excessive force by authorities. As the veterans arrive, they aim not only to stand in solidarity but also to deliver essential supplies like food and water to those who have endured the harsh winter weather.
The timing of their arrival coincides with a mandatory evacuation order from North Dakota’s governor, citing severe winter conditions. This order complicates the situation, as it prohibits the transport of supplies and places demonstrators at risk of penalties for remaining on the site.
The Dakota Access Pipeline, stretching 1,172 miles and costing $3.8 billion, is designed to transport oil from North Dakota, through South Dakota, Iowa, and into Illinois, posing significant environmental concerns, particularly as it runs beneath Lake Oahe on Sioux territory.
As the veterans continue to arrive and organize efforts, they echo a sentiment of collective responsibility: “We’re doing this to support our country, so let’s do it with honor. We can stop this injustice at home. If not us, who? If not now, when?”
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In summary, the arrival of these veterans at Standing Rock represents a significant act of solidarity in the face of environmental and social injustice, highlighting a commitment to protect not only the land but also the rights of those fighting to preserve it.