State of Emergency - North Dakota

While the most Americans are worried about which football player is practicing his beliefs on and off the field, they are blissfully unaware of the State of Emergency currently in place in North Dakota.  Hundreds of Native Americans from across the country are coming together at the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe reservation, to protest the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline

One of the causes of the State of Emergency, is the violence that has happened during the protest. There has been little to no coverage in the media about the situation, but the protestors have taken to Social Media to get their message out into the world. Video show police officers letting their K-9s attack protestors without any provocation. Protestors are being arrested and denied their basic civil rights as they fight to protect their land and the well-being of their tribe. The pipeline would cross the Missouri River, which is the major source of water for the tribe.

One of the effects of the State of Emergency is the light it has shed on the situation, with the state might be over reacting and choosing to side with the Dakota Pipeline company responsible for the construction of the pipeline. They bring it to the forefront of people’s attention now. As more and more Natives make their way to North Dakota they are being joined by celebrities, and activists who want to bring the attention of the world to the front door of this issue. With the support of the voices bigger than their own the protestors of North Dakota, can continue their peaceful protests in hopes of making a difference for the better.