Anti-oil pipeline protesters forced the North Dakota state capitol building into lockdown Monday following a mass demonstration against the Dakota Access Pipeline.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol was forced to lock down the state capitol building to avoid a “large number of protesters” gathered outside from forcing their way into the public building, said Highway Patrol Lt. Tom Iverson.
Iverson said the protesters were milling about the capitol grounds, chanting, singing, and refused orders to leave, which eventually culminated in the arrest of three people.
Protesters associated with the Standing Rock Sioux tribe have spent several months demonstrating against the $3.7 billion project, arguing the pipeline’s construction would trample on tribal lands and destroy artifacts. They also believe it could potentially poison waterways, including rivers such as the Missouri River and Lake Oahe.
Many of the same environmentalist groups that opposed the Keystone XL pipeline have joined the fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAP), which would bring 470,000 barrels of Bakken crude oil per day from western North Dakota to southern Illinois.
The demonstrations have culminated in several violent altercations with North Dakota locals and law enforcement officials. They’ve also engaged in extensive personal property damage.
The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association and law enforcement agencies are investigated a couple of cases in October where livestock was butchered by Dakota pipeline activists near Cannon Ball, Forum News Service reported.
“The issue is [the protesters] are leaving the peace camp. In fact, in many cases we have situations where they’re not anywhere near that area, and they’re camping out in different areas and there’s guerrilla tactics and warfare that’s implemented. They go out and strike and run and it’s an issue,” North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goerhring told reporters at the time.
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