Standing Rock, North Dakota
October 10th, 2016

Sunday night, while the presidential debate was claiming the nation's attention,  a Federal Court decided to lift a restraining order and allow work on the Dakota Access Pipeline to go forward.  Asked about energy policy, Donald Trump said "We have to protect our oil companies".  Hillary Clinton didn't comment on the pipeline situation in any way.

This morning, Water Protectors have assembled peacefully at the construction site.  Governor Dalrymple of North Dakota has called out the riot police, who have arrived en masse, in full riot gear.  A few arrests have already been made.  The Protectors are chanting "Protect our water, protect our earth."  The two groups are facing one another.  So far, things are peaceful.

Rebecca Tobias, a UN indigenous Nations Advocate, called the governor's office this morning, and was told that the situation is holding up state business, and law enforcement units have been called from many jurisdictions.  She was told that the intent is to arrest everyone and clear the camps.

Stay tuned for updates.

LIVE VIDEO VIA FACEBOOK

D.C. CIRCUIT COURT DECISION


ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS
BLOCKS CONSTRUCTION
STANDING ROCK LAKOTA PROTEST OIL PIPELINE
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers won't yet authorize construction of the $3.8 billion, four-state Dakota Access oil pipeline on federal land in southern North Dakota, it said Monday, along with reiterating its earlier request that the pipeline company voluntarily stop work on private land in the area.

The corps' statement came in the wake of a federal appeals court ruling Sunday that allowed construction to resume on the pipeline within 20 miles of Lake Oahe. That ruling sparked a large protest Monday in North Dakota that led to the arrest of 27 people, including "Divergent" actress Shailene Woodley, who is known for her activism.

A joint statement from the Justice Department, Interior Department and the corps said it was not ready to allow pipeline work to continue on its land bordering and under Lake Oahe, a reservoir that the agency manages on the Missouri River and the water supply for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. It also called on pipeline owner Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners to voluntarily stop work in the area; ETP didn't respond to a request from The Associated Press for comment Sunday or Monday.