News

Trapped at Cantapeta Creek

November 3rd, 2016

Police sprayed mace and pepper spray intermittently at activists in cantapeta creek - photo by c.s. hagen

By C.S. Hagen

CANTAPETA CREEK – Activists defending water fought from inside a near-freezing creek Wednesday in a three-pronged attempt to gain access to Dakota Access Pipeline drill pad.

Early Wednesday morning, activists built a makeshift bridge to span a sixty-foot section of the creek, but law enforcement destroyed it, sparking another standoff.

“Protesters are trying to gain access onto private property also known as the Cannon Ball Ranch,” Morton County Sheriff’s Department…

HPR election guide: 2016 ballot measures

November 3rd, 2016

By C.S. Hagen

cshagen@hpr1.com

A new president, many state leaders, and five measures will be voted on by North Dakotans come November 8. The state will soon have a new governor and perhaps a new congressman, but the measures to be voted on are more than the numbers identifying them.

The inundation of information concerning the presidential race has swallowed the importance of local legislation, and billboards rival the rumors about each measure, telling little of the facts behind each…

Of Mercenaries, Prairie Fires, and “Illegal” Treatment of Inmates in North Dakota

November 1st, 2016

By C.S. Hagen

BISMARCK – The man who dressed as a “water protector” and reportedly drove his white Chevy toward Standing Rock’s main camp, armed with a semi-automatic Colt AR15, is a mercenary for Dakota Access Pipeline.

Kyle Thompson, of Bismarck, also known as “War Eagle” after a native naming ceremony ten years ago, according to a 2007 story published in the Bismarck Tribune, was arrested by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Thursday, October 27. He was an “armed agitator”…

“Battle” for Backwater Bridge Ends Peacefully

October 29th, 2016

By C.S. Hagen

CANNON BALL – The battle for Backwater Bridge erupted hours after law enforcement cleared “Treaty Camp,” arresting 142 people and pushing activists back two miles making room for Dakota Access Pipeline construction. Two Dakota Access trucks and one vehicle were set on fire near the bridge; an electronic billboard sat charred between them making the road impassable.

“It was a very active and tense evening as law enforcement worked through the evening to clear…

Officials Storm Treaty Camp, Some Activists Fight Back

October 27th, 2016

The police line at the frontlines - photo by sacheen seitcham

CANNONBALL – One footstep at a time, law enforcement pushed activists south of their “line in the sand,” overruning the “Treaty Camp,” and arresting 117 by early evening.

Approximately 250 activists held firm, singing native songs, burning sweetgrass and tobacco, against heavily armed law enforcement. Some chained themselves to approaching machinery. Others yelled back at an officer on a megaphone, who, according to the Indigenous Environmental Network, was telling activists to…

The Law Strikes Back

October 27th, 2016

Activists versus the law on highway 1806

By C.S. Hagen

CANNONBALL – Hundreds of heavily-armed law enforcement officials marched on activists at their “Treaty Camp” Thursday morning.

“Hold the line, be brave,” an activist called out.

A massive fire was set at the activists’ frontline barricade on Highway 1806. Thick black smoke billowed toward approaching police, halting their advance. Two more barricades were erected further south; the third built along a county road number 134 to prevent or slow down a flanking…

Senator Heitkamp Overseas

October 26th, 2016

By C.S. Hagen

cshagen@hpr1.com

As North Korea closes in on its nuclear capabilities, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp participated in an official U.S. Senate “fact-finding trip” to examine the nation’s missile defense capabilities.

Heitkamp has returned from a 10-day trip through Alaska, South Korea, Japan, Guam, and Hawaii, investigating active defense systems currently in use. She also worked to strengthen ties with national and international government leaders of allied countries,…

“Line in the Sand”

October 26th, 2016

By C.S. Hagen

CANNONBALL – Energy Transfer Partners is attempting to pull Morton County’s legal strings. A statement released by the Texas-based company on Tuesday demanded activists to vacate company-owned lands, or face the consequences.

“Lawless behavior will not be tolerated,” the company stated. “Alternatively and in coordination with local law enforcement and county/state officials all trespassers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and removed from the…

Attack Dog Handlers in the Wrong, No Charges Pending, Lawyers Threatened by FBI

October 26th, 2016

By C.S. Hagen

MANDAN – An investigation launched by Morton County Sheriff’s Department has proven the dog handlers on September 3 were not properly licensed to perform security work in the Peace Garden State.

But because security personnel cannot be identified, no charges are forthcoming from county law enforcement, according to Morton County Sheriff’s Department.

“Through this investigation it has become evident that many security companies have been hired to do security work for…

Highway 1806

October 25th, 2016

Highway 1806 - photo by C.S. Hagen

By C.S. Hagen

CANNONBALL – Highway 1806 is more than a road to Standing Rock activists.

The pitched hills dotted with wild sage, the roaming buffalo herds, the listless ponds hedged by crooked elms, are postcard perfect, revealing nothing of the racial hatred and violence the lands have seen in the past 200 years.

“1806 is more than the number of the highway,” Rissa Williams, an activist said. “It is the year of their mindset.”

Mindset of the Peace Garden State, Williams said.

She…