Yesterday, officials gave protesters near the Dakota Access Pipeline an evacuation deadline of 2 P.M. While most demonstrators chose to leave, ten refused and were subsequently arrested, waving flags as they exited.
An estimated 25-50 people still remained at the Oceti Sakowin camp this morning. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum told CNN that the remaining protesters will be given the same warning: leave peacefully or face arrest.
The evacuation comes after President Trump ordered to allow Energy Transfer Partners to continue construction of the pipeline, to the dismay of Native Americans, environmentalists and essentially every human being who has a conscience.
Jack Smith IV, a senior writer at Mic, live tweeted his experience at the protests prior to being detained.
It begins. At Standing Rock, police begin advancing on the media and water protectors. pic.twitter.com/4jpeBiBXrK
— Jack Smith IV (@JackSmithIV) February 22, 2017
Construction of the pipeline is now planned to move forward. The DAPL will carry 470,000 barrels of crude oil each day through four states (North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois); it will be 1,172 miles long, cost approximately $3.7 billion and potentially affect the drinking water supply and overall living conditions of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s reservation.
Top photo: Twitter @JackSmithIV
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