Over the last couple of weeks, we have been reporting on the #noDAPL protests happening in North Dakota. The #StandingRockSioux tribe is protesting the construction of a pipeline that is estimated to transport almost a half a billion barrels of crude oil through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois per day which allows the U.S. to not have to depend on foreign oil, meaning cheaper prices. However, should the pipeline leak, which is extremely likely, this all comes at the price of sacred lands as well as their only clean water sources–the Missouri River.
The protests have become violent in the last week with militarized police shooting the protesters with rubber bullets, spraying them with pepper spray and water cannons amongst other things. That is why U.S. military veterans have banded together in support of the Sioux tribe to “assemble as a peaceful, unarmed militia” and to “defend the water protectors from assault and intimidation at the hands of the militarized police force and DAPL security.”
Marine Corps veteran Jade Emilio Snell explains to CNN that he took an oath to protect American citizens which is why he’s joining the protests. “I’ve been watching the news, how they’re spraying everybody and using rubber bullets, and these guys are fighting for what they believe in and as a veteran we took an oath,” he said. “We’re not just there to protect Americans in foreign countries. We’re here to protect this country inside of it, too.”
The veterans’ GoFundMe page has raised almost $200,000 in just 12 days and the funds will go towards providing food, transportation and supplies for the expected 4,500+ veterans expected to make the trip to North Dakota. If you’d like to donate, hit the link below.
https://www.gofundme.com/veterans-for-standing-rock-nodapl
TSR STAFF: Talia O. @theclosetratchet on Instagram & @tallyohhh on Twitter!
Source: http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/11/23/hundreds-veterans-self-deploy-standing-rock-defend-protesters/
