Law Enforcement Clash With North Dakota Pipeline Protesters

Authorities arrested 141 protesters against the Dakota Access Pipeline as they cleared a camp set up on a pipeline easement on Thursday, October 27. Police and sheriff’s officers dressed in riot gear confronted the group over the course of five hours, according to a local report.

Police reported protesters threw a Molotov cocktail at officers, fired a gun and set debris on fire. This video shows the fire near the protest line. In this video, officers also can be heard saying they did not want to hurt protesters and there would be no arrests if they left the private property.

Those at the scene posted on Facebook that police used beanbag guns and rubber bullets to push back the protesters, this was also reported to local media. Law enforcement told local media they only used pepper spray and high-pitch warning tones. This video also shows horses that were injured in the confrontation, and the riders said they had been shot at by officers. Local media also reported there was visible injuries to the protesters.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has been protesting, along with their supporters, the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The group says the pipeline, should it spill, would threaten its water source and tribal cultural sites. Credit: Facebook/Indigenous Life Movement