10-28-2016: Forced Evacuation of 1851 Treaty Camp; Water Protectors Forced South by Line Sweep of Law Enforcement in Riot Gear with Militarized Vehicles; Recording of LRAD Sound Cannon and Taser In Use; Law Enforcement Blocks & Barricades HWY 1806 Just North of Backwater Bridge; Reports On The Use of Excessive Force; Illegal Search & Seizure; AIRFA Violations

  1. Frontlines

Video #1:
One Nation TV Videographer approaches Backwater Bridge on HWY 1806, Blockaded by Morton County SUV
by Cempoalli Twenny (video length 0:37)

Description:  9:18am Videographer self-identifies as “One Nation TV”, approaches Backwater Bridge on foot, describes it as “the front lines”. Others walking in the opposite direction. Apparent Morton County SUV sits in the middle of the road blocking vehicular traffic. Indistinct assembly of people on bridge behind vehicle.(videostream interrupted) – 

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Video #2:
NEEDS TITLE
by Red Warrior Camp (no video – orig. video length 23:12)

Description:  They have moved the road block to the bridge just north of the big camp to cut off all access from 1806  

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Video #3:
Water Protectors gather @ Bridge, Fire in the middle of the Road, Rap Music Blaring throughout the Video
by West Coast Women Warriors Media Cooperative (video length 2:13)

Description:  3:09am  Scene begins as shot from a vehicle approaching  apparent barricade at frontline in darkness. Vehicle’s headlights partially illuminate the scene for 30 seconds. Profanity throughout music lyrics in video. Behind protector side of frontline is a fire that appears to span the width of the road. Behind the fire, the law enforcement side of the frontline shines bright lights toward the Water Protectors. The lights and the smoke obscure view across the frontline. Protectors add logs to the fire. Note: @ 1:41, possible Tiger Swan infiltrator throws a small object across the frontline toward the law enforcement side.

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Video #4:
Global Call to Action from Indigenous Water Protector @ Front Line
by WCWWMC (video length 0:53)

Description:  6:34am  Fire blazes in darkness across HWY 1806 at DAPL blockade. Unburned pallets can be seen in front of the fire. Water protector stands in shadow of fire in the foreground and emphatically announces:  “This is a call out to the world. Call out to the world that our warrior spirit is still alive. The spirit of the resistance is still alive. Our Mother Earth has been raped and desecrated. Our sacred grounds have been violated and we will NOT, as indigenous people, as human beings of the planet, allow this to happen. [pointing toward the fire, he continues:] This is NOTHING compared to what those machines do, NOTHING [what] compared to what corporate greed does…OVER and OVER. This is a militarized police state protecting corporate greed and we, as human beings of the land, for the future generations, are going to make this stand. Put this message to the world: to STAND UP, RISE UP, FIND your warrior spirit.” [enthusiastic responses ensue] Video is subtitled throughout;                        

               “#NoDAPL Blockade on HWY 1806                                GLOBAL CALL OUT TO ACTION”

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Video #5
1851 Treaty Camp, Law Enforcement uses Taser on Water Protector, Law Enforcement Demands Protectors Evacuate Camp
by WCWWMC (video length 3:19)

Description:  6:50am  Scene opens on approximately 50 Water Protectors [“WP”] facing indeterminate number of Law Enforcement [“LE”] at the 1851 Treaty Camp north of the main camp. MRAP can be seen in the background, far right. Center of frame, near the base of the SRST flag pole, a LE officer advances toward a man who backs away as the officer advances. After he makes two steps back, the officer shoots him with a taser and he falls to the ground @ 0:05. Videographer: “They are tasing people here. They are tasing people here.” Crowd gathers around fallen man. At 0:15, LE declares through megaphone; “Do not throw rocks at the police.” At 0:17, a shirtless WP runs with his hands high in the air to block LE from shooting anyone else, other WPs follow his lead. LE continues through the megaphone, giving direction to WP to “Move…” somewhere but videographer’s voice dominates the audio; “We are UNARMED. We are unarmed people. There are women, children and elders here. We are unarmed and this is how they attack us.” At 0:29, a man in the background yells; “Who’s throwing shit?!” At 0:34, an apparent Tiger Swan infiltrator throws a white object toward LE. WPs in view swell to approximately 75. Videographer continues; “We are unarmed and they attack us. We are women, children and elders and they attack us. We come in a prayerful way and they attack us. THEY bring violence here.” LE through the megaphone; “[indistinct sentence] Get yourself to the road if you want, but we’re gonna..gonna come through and kick you out.” WP woman; “No you’re not.” WP man; “We believe you, but it’s live now.” Megaphoned LE; “We need you to go to the south to the main camp. We don’t want to make arrests, but we have to come south and we have to clear this roadway.” WP woman; “No you don’t!” WP man; “Why don’t you arrest your selves?!” Megaphoned LE; “You have always been safe at the south camp. You have an agreement of some sort with the Corps of Engineers and [indistinct phrase]. We need you to go to the south camp.” WP man; “We have an agreement with our ancestors, with the future generations, with the land, the water, with sacredness!” Meanwhile, camera pans to show more of the crowd, WP tents set up, hundreds of WPs and approximately 100 LE present, roughly in line across the road and east of the road with at least one more MRAP and another LRAD-equipped Militarized truck on the roadway. Cameras and fingers are pointed at LE. At 2:37, a woman screams offscreen. At 2:50 we see a broken snowblower and other property possibly damaged by LE.

 Categories: 1851 Treaty Camp Wrongful Evictions Archive; Excessive Force Archive

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Video #6:
Law Enforcement Line Sweep of 1851 Treaty Camp
by WCWWMC (video length 11:03)

Description:  MRAPs with LRADs deployed on road and elsewhere. Approximately 200-300 Law Enforcement [“LE”] officers and hundreds of Water Protectors [“WP”] on scene. LE officer speaking through megaphone; “….Keep driving to the south. You need to drive that work baler pickup [in the foreground on the right] to the south.” At approximately 0:20, a woman calls for a medic. At approximately 0:25, camera makes a 360° sweep; DAPL workers can be seen on the hills to the west and the right flank of the LE line. At 0:29, the view south shows approximately 100 WP cars lining the highway on both sides. In all, many hundreds of WPs, approximately 250 LE at least 4 militarized LE vehicles. To the east, LE has already occupied the camp, consisting of many tipis, tents and trailers. [Apparently WPs were already pushed out of the camp toward the road.] At approximately 1:30, the line of LE continues a slow sweep to the south. Myron Dewey can be heard saying, “Hey, we are in prayer here. We are in prayer here. We are visitors. We are visitors and helpers. Practice your teachings! Hey, you guys, watch [indistinct], visitors and helpers; Remember that! We’re here to support the tribe in prayer! Remember that! If we go as Water Warriors to jail, that’s what we do, but we do not bring our outside teachings here. We bring good teachings and prayer.” The LE slow sweep continues south. Myron Dewey continues; “Role model your teachings. They have no teachings. Role model your teachings. Role model your teachings. They have no teachings. Role model your teachings. We are here in prayer. Remember that.” Myron continues to repeat the theme of this message. Another WP reminds the crowd; “Don’t be throwing shit!” At 6:45, videographer points out LE officer in roof hatch of MRAP with rifle trained at  WPs. Videographer comments; “He’s aiming at us. He has his gun ready. This person here on the left. He’s ready. He’s waiting. He’s waiting to re-commit all of the crimes that Indigenous people have suffered. They tell us to get over the genocide of Indigenous peoples. The genocide is continuing. The genocide continues.” A woman WP reports on camera; “They shot that kid off the horse over there with the bean bags. They shot another kid in the neck. Bean bags were flying everywhere. They got the tear gas out. And right now we’re losing.” Videographer; “And I saw someone get tased earlier. Did you see that?” WP; “Yeah…. and they had a guy on the ground and they just drug him back.” Approximately 30-40 LE walk slowly south directly in front of the militarized vehicles, part of a line of 200+ LE personnel, a mixed force in both light and dark uniforms with name tags missing, all in riot gear with batons at the ready, extending both east & west, pushing WPs south. They temporarily stop and then resume their slow creep.

 Categories: 1851 Treaty Camp Wrongful Evictions Archive; Excessive Force ArchiveOfficers Refuse to Identify Themselves Archive

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Video #7:
LRAD IN USE. LAW ENFORCEMENT PUSHING WATER PROTECTORS SOUTH.
by WCWWMC (video length 6:09)

Description:  2:57pm  LRAD in use at opening scene on the frontlines. At 0:17, LRAD is turned off and Law Enforcement [“LE”] makes announcements and gives directives through megaphone. At 1:18 LRAD is turned on again for 14 seconds. LE then continues to admonish Water Protectors [“WP”] to keep moving south.  LE uses excuse that they must keep the road open. WP is heard replying; “YOU closed the road!” LE continues to admonish WPs to move south to the main camp. WP tents are pitched on both sides of the road as the front line creeps toward them.

Categories: 1851 Treaty Camp Wrongful Evictions Archive; Excessive Force Archive

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Video #8:
MILES ALLARD SPEAKS OF RESPECT AND NON-VIOLENCE AT THE FRONT LINES
by Cempoalli Twenny (video length 0:48)

Description:  8:01am  (Pub. 10/31/16)   Inspiring words at the front lines at the 1806 bridge Miles Allard talks about the need to stay non-violent and show the officers how to be respectful, following a stand-off between protectors and the national guard and swat team. One heart, one mind, one spirit. Cempoalli notes that even though it is hard to think of peace after seeing so many relatives hurt by police, we must take it in and rethink our way out of reactionary feelings and thoughts. (videostream interrupted) – 

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Photo #9:
“EARLY MORNING BARRICADE BETWEEN 134 AND SACRED STONES CAMP”
by Myron Dewey (no video)

Description:

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Video #10:
“DAPL WORKERS ACTIVELY DIGGING WHILE WIYAKA EAGLEMAN TAKES DOWN TIPI IN 1851 TREATY CAMP”
by Wiyaka Eagleman (video length 4:21)

Description:  at 0:59 a bulldozer can be seen ripping into the land as the videographer speaks; “Relatives, just letting you know I’m having a hard time out here. They gave us the opportunity too remove our things. This is hard….to take down these tipis while they’re right in front of us.”

Categories: Ancestral Burial Sites Desecrated Archive; 1851 Treaty Camp Wrongful Evictions Archive

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Video #11:
“HUMVEES ON FIRE IN DARKNESS”
by Cheryl Angel (video length 1:04)

Description: Several Water Protectors on site as two humvees burn in the darkness. Videographer reports; “…covered their retreat when they left? OK, so, it looks like the North Dakota authorities HAVE retreated [from the front line]. They parked two humvees up there [on Backwater Bridge, HWY 1806]. They’re on fire now.”

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Video #12:
“HILLSIDE PERSPECTIVE ON NEWLY BLOCKADED BACKWATER BRIDGE AND ITS PROXIMITY TO OCETI SAKOWIN”
by Tim Yakaitis (video length 1:12)

Description: Two burned-out trucks can be seen in the background blocking HWY 1806 just north of Backwater Bridge. Jersey barriers have been placed across the HWY behind the trucks. At least ten military vehicles are positioned in formation behind the jersey barriers and another 20-25 police vehicles have assembled behind the military vehicles. At 0:45, videographer pivots view to show Oceti Sakowin, less than 1/4 mile away.

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Video #13:
“CHIEF ARVOL LOOKINGHORSE IN NEGOTIATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT IN DISTANCE ON BRIDGE”
by
Tim Yakaitis
(video length 0:29)

Description: Videographer [partially] explains who is present for meeting on bridge.

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Video #14
“3 PEOPLE WHO MET WITH MORTON COUNTY OFFICIALS DISCUSS THEIR MEETING RE: OPENING THE BLOCKADED BRIDGE”
by Tim Yakaitis (video length 5:26)

Description: Chief Arvol Lookinghorse spoke in the middle, offering prayer and guidance to those assembled. Before and after him, speakers discussed some of the detail of the meeting regarding the process of getting the road open and removing the blockade on the bridge.

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Video #15:
“Chief Arvol Lookinghorse leads the people [approximately 300] back to camp; a group is drumming and singing while following.”
by Tim Yakaitis (video length 2:09)

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Video #16:

“Two medics report on apparent abusive behavior by ​Law Enforcement [LE] now targeting clearly identified medical personnel.”
 by
 Medic Healer Council (video length 1:47)

Description: One male and one female, both medics describe incidents at the front line. Video link includes a caption with additional information re: the incidents described by those reporting. [Verbal and written] reported abuses include:
1. USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE / INFLICTION OF UNNECESSARY SUFFERING / INHUMANE DENIAL OF MEDICAL ATTENTION -Law enforcement [LE] intentionally targeting clearly identified medical personnel. 
2. USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE / ASSAULT – [Medics were at the frontline trying to move their car out as police advanced. Two medics were sitting on the trunk. LE approached and hit them with batons, knocking them both to the ground. Water Protectors helped those medics before law enforcement could grab them and arrest them.]
3. RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT and WRONGFUL ARREST – [LE surrounded the clearly labeled car (big Red Cross on the hood as well as on all medical personnel) and grabbed the driver (a medic) while the car was in motion. Another medic was in front of the car and was nearly hit after LE removed the driver. Both of those medics were arrested.]
4. ILLEGAL SEARCH & SEIZURE / ROBBERY – LE reached across “the line” and “snatched” medical equipment, “grabbed it from my coat pocket” said the medics.
5. USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE / ASSAULT – Male medic describes being sprayed with something [mace? pepper spray?] “head to toe” while his back was turned and his hands up.
Note-Male medic also reports seeing LE atop an MRAP wielding an assault rifle with a silencer attached.
6. USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE / ASSAULT – Male medic reports seeing many bean bag rounds shot from shotguns and having a shotgun aimed at him while he was treating injuries. Female medic reports many people telling LE to remove their fingers from the triggers of their weapons.

Categories: Excessive Force Archive, Illegal Search & Seizure, Reckless Endangerment, Wrongful Arrest 

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Video #17:
“Update on those arrested yesterday. The Red Owl Legal Collective has been in touch with the Morton County Jail.”
by  Angela Bibens (video length __:__)

Description:

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Video #18:
“Notice for the frontline: for those who get arrested, call jail support. For those looking for family members or friends, call the Morton County Jail.”
by  Angela Bibens (video length __:__)

Description:

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Video #19:
“Standing Rock Update – on last 2 days. Myron Dewey with Erin Wise reporting on Law Enforcement Violations and Abuses.”
by
 
Bill Goode (video length 23:55)

Description: Erin Wise [International Indigenous Youth Council] and Myron Dewey [Digital Smoke Signals] reporting. First, Erin describes various violations:
Law Enforcement [LE] violating AIRFA by pulling a man “in ceremony” out of a sweat lodge and wrongfully arresting him, leaving him on the ground wearing only his shorts. Another man  was beaten for trying to protect a sacred religious item which was seized from him illegally and wrongfully arrested. Another man was forcefully slammed to the ground and wrongfully arrested and police ignored his subsequent complaints of severe back pain. A woman was wrongfully arrested when LE again violated AIRFA pulling her from a prayer circle. Two women [along with others] were maced 5 times each. One of them had her wrist broken by LE “last week”. Youth Council members were shot with bean bag guns and tear gas guns, and maced in the face. Helicopters flying ~200′ overhead had officers with guns aimed at water protectors below.
Myron then exhibits a drone photo showing where desecration of sacred sites is taking place behind the front lines [where there is no easement to allow their work]. He notes; “They have protection now. They have a barrier, and now that they have their barrier, the…work construction is continuing all night long. You can hear the dozers plowing.” A subsequent photo shows militarized and military-type vehicles with LE . Footage follows where a white truck is identified with a gun-carrying driver. @~21mins Myron reports that on 10/8/2016, Officer John Mal, who identified himself as “Deputy”, illegally seized his drone.

Categories: AIRFA Violations ArchiveExcessive Force Archive; Illegal Search & Seizure Archive; Wrongful Arrest Archive, Wrongful Evictions Archive, Violations Against Drone Operators Archive, Officers Refusing To Identify Themselves Archive

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Photos #20:
“Aerial drone still photos of the frontline, in the background views of the DAPL building in process and the remnants of the Eminent Domain 1851 Treaty Camp
By Myron Dewey (no video)

Description: Myron Dewey asserts violations against drone journalists.

Categories: Violations Against Drone Operators Archive

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Video #21:

“Frontline call-to-action video compilation with prayer song audio added throughout”
By Red Warrior Society [shared by WCWWMC]
 (video length 7:29)

Description: Caption reads; “October 27, 2016 140+ arrested as Indigenous People & Water Protectors hold the Frontlines to Protect Sacred Water against the Dakota Access Pipeline. The police attack with pepper spray, batons, fire rubber bullets, bean bags, “sting balls”, and live rounds, taser people, fire concussion grenades, tear gas, snatch medics and arrest 140+ Water Protectors.”

Categories: Ancestral Burial Sites Desecrated ArchiveWrongful Evictions Archive – 1851 Treaty Camp, Excessive Force Archive, Officers Refusing to Identify Themselves Archive

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Video #22:
“Call Out to Come Together. Stand Strong!
By Sacheen Seitcham [shared by WCWWMC]
(video length 3:32)

Description: Woman implores others to quit infighting, stand up and fight to protect the sacred water.

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Video #23:
“Videographer self-reports”
By Eric Poemz (video length 58:11)

Description: Videographer updates his viewers and encourages sharing of live feeds from various sources

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Video #24:
“Border Patrol in ND” 
By Cheryl Angel (video length 1:08)

Description: Videographer approaches Border Patrol agent fueling his vehicle at a gas station and asks him if he is here on “special duty…to protect the Dakota Access Pipeline” and he hurries away, refusing to confirm or deny.
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Video #25:
“At the bridge”
By James Owens (video length 4:08)

Description: A group of Water Protectors, about 75 feet from the newly constructed Jersey barrier concrete barricade shout messages [i.e.- “Identify yourself!”] to Law Enforcement who are using megaphone on the other side where at least 8 military-style vehicles are lined-up behind the barriers. Videographer notes in caption; “This morning…[Law Enforcement]…made a cement barrier after they said yesterday [their objective] was to clear the road. Something’s fishy.”

Categories: Officers Refuse to Identify Themselves Archive 

Creating Clarity from Chaos