Despite a near coverage blackout from mainstream media, outrage is spreading after the violent police actions that took place against water protectors in North Dakota taking on the Dakota Access Pipeline. 167 people were injured, including “Sophia Walinsky (who) stood among the crowd of around 400 water protectors as the police launched an all-out assault, firing ‘nonlethal’ projectiles, tear gas, mace, LRAD sound cannons, and concussion grenades — one of which reportedly exploded on her left arm, tearing through flesh and exposing bone, and leaving her facing possible amputation,” according to TheFreeThoughtProject.com.
VIDEO: Shots fired, unprovoked into crowd of #WaterProtectors in Ceremony #NoDAPL #StandingRock pic.twitter.com/s6xQVnTXq2
— #NoDAPL (@IAreDick) November 21, 2016
Walinsky is reportedly being cared for in a hospital in Minnesota. Dallas Goldtooth, Keep It In The Ground Campaign Organizer for the Indigenous Environmental Network, reported on Twitter that doctors are still working to save her arm and hand as of Nov. 22. A press conference and vigil will be held for Walinsky on Nov. 23, Goldtooth said.
There is also a fast moving GoFundMe campaign for Walinsky that has raised nearly $160,000 in less than 24 hours.
Even if you can’t be on site to assist the water protectors in North Dakota taking on the Dakota Access Pipeline, there are ways you can speak out against the brutal treatment protesters have received from law enforcement by speaking directly with the Morton County Sheriff’s office and other assisting agencies. Phone numbers for these agencies and a script for leaving a message or speaking directly to a representative are provided below.
From DailyKos.com’s Liberation League:
On Nov. 20, the Morton County Sheriff’s office put Standing Rock water protectors in grave danger. Hundreds were injured, including an elder who went into cardiac arrest and several people treated for rubber bullet injuries to the face. They used projectiles that ripped through people’s muscle tissue.
Police fired water cannons at the protectors for at least six hours in below freezing temperatures, exposing them all to hypothermia. Medical professionals at the camp called for a cessation of this tactic because of the real threat that people could die. And Morton County law enforcement just kept drenching water protectors in water, tear gassing them, firing concussion grenades and using sonic weapons against them.
This is inhumane! They are willing to directly threaten people’s lives in order to protect profits for the oil industry. Enough is enough.
Call the Morton County Sheriff’s office and demand they end these life-threatening attacks on peaceful unarmed protectors immediately!
Here is the number and a sample script:
Morton County Sheriff’s office number:
701-328-8118 & 701-667-3330
Hello, my name is ___________. I am horrified by the violence used by your officers against the Standing Rock water protectors last night. It is nothing short of torture to douse people in water, in below freezing temperatures, for hours. People could die from this inhumane escalation. Your officers are willing to risk killing peaceful protectors. It’s time to end these dangerous tactics and torture against the people at Standing Rock.
After your call, fill out this form to tell us how the call went. Tell us how Morton County is responding to concerns that they are risking people’s lives.
Morton County law enforcement is already claiming that they were putting out fires started by the protectors, but several livestream feeds, including the one we followed all last night, show that the fires were started by Morton County officers and their tear gas and concussion grenades. Do not let them get away with telling this lie!
Michigan City, IN
(219) 874-3221
North Dakota Highway Patrol
Offices across North Dakota
(701) 328-2455
Hammond Police Department
Hammond, IN
219-852-2900
Munster Police Department
Munster, IN
(219) 836-6600
Griffith Police Department
Griffith, IN
(219) 924-7503
Anoka County Sheriff’s Office
Andover, MN
(763) 323-5000
Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Stillwater, MN
651-430-6000
Marathon County Sheriff’s Department
Wausau, WI
(715) 261-1200
La Porte County Sheriff’s Office
La Porte, IN
(219) 326-7700
Newton County Sheriff’s Office
Kentland, IN
219-474-3331
South Dakota Highway Patrol
Pierre, SD
605-773-3105
Jasper County Sheriff
Rensselaer, Indiana
219-866-7344
Lake County Sheriff Sheriff’s Department
Crown Point, IN
219-755-3333
Laramie County Sheriff’s Department
Cheyenne, WY
307-633-4700
Wyoming Highway Patrol
Cheyenne, WY
307-777-4301
Ohio State Highway Patrol
Columbus, Ohio
614-466-2660
Nebraska Emergency Management Agency
Lincoln, NE
(402) 471-7421
