This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2016/oct/27/north-dakota-access-pipeline-police-protesters-live-updates

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Police prepare to remove protesters from Dakota Access pipeline site – live North Dakota pipeline: police prepare to remove protesters from site – live
(35 minutes later)
8.11pm BST
20:11
A spokesperson for the Morton County Sheriff’s department, who are the lead agency on the ground, just told the Guardian that they have officers on the scene from “across the state”, and that they have put out a request for assistance from out-of-state police departments.
She also said that there were national guard on the scene, but added that “they are in a support role.”
Asked if any other agencies - local, state, or federal - were currently taking an active role, she declined to comment.
7.57pm BST
19:57
Standing Rock member: 'We are standing up'
Sam Levin
Dean Dedman Jr, a member of the Standing Rock Hunkpapa tribe from South Dakota, just told the Guardian by phone that protesters are not backing down even in the face of hundreds of armed police officers.
“We are standing up. We are still here,” said Dedman, who has been camped out for months and frequently shoots footage of the actions with his drone. “We’re all just trying to keep the prayer and keep the singing.”
Dedman, who has also contributed video footage for the Guardian, said that a creek was providing some kind of a buffer for protesters, but that officers were armed and getting closer. “They keep coming up.”
Dedman said the protesters suspect that police could soon attempt to make more arrests, but added, “We’ve been prepared for all these months and all these years.”
Here’s a Guardian video from Dedman and other film-makers on site from the summer:
7.41pm BST
19:41
Sheriff: 'This is a public safety issue'
Morton County sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier has released a statement claiming that authorities are targeting “illegal roadblocks and protesters trespassing on private property”:
Protesters’ escalated unlawful behavior this weekend by setting up illegal roadblocks, trespassing onto private property and establishing an encampment, has forced law enforcement to respond at this time. As I said yesterday, I visited the protesters roadblock and requested them to remove the barricade and have protesters vacate the private property.
Kirchmeir claims that “numerous teepees, tents and other structures have been built on the private property since Sunday”.
Law enforcement from across North Dakota and from outside of the state are now supporting Morton County “in this mission”, he added.
On one live feed, a police official just said: “You need to back away. We’re going to come forward. We don’t want to arrest anyone of you.”
Tribal leaders and protesters have repeatedly emphasized that they are unarmed and peaceful and plan to stand their ground in an effort to stop a project that they believe could cause significant environmental damage to the local lands.
7.38pm BST7.38pm BST
19:3819:38
Here are some fresh tweets and images from the scene where protesters have tried to set up barricades as law enforcement gets closer to the camps.Here are some fresh tweets and images from the scene where protesters have tried to set up barricades as law enforcement gets closer to the camps.
Flaming barricades as armored vehicles advance #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/hYuOteXYkMFlaming barricades as armored vehicles advance #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/hYuOteXYkM
Spoke to @dennisward moments ago. Here are his pics of police moving in on protestors at #standingrock #NoDAPL @APTNNews pic.twitter.com/ttFCYgwm8QSpoke to @dennisward moments ago. Here are his pics of police moving in on protestors at #standingrock #NoDAPL @APTNNews pic.twitter.com/ttFCYgwm8Q
pic.twitter.com/OnKKXqAO7gpic.twitter.com/OnKKXqAO7g
Film-makers and activists recently told the Guardian that law enforcement’s response has become over-militarized and aggressive, with police deploying batons and pepper spray against peaceful protesters and indiscriminately arresting demonstrators and journalists.Film-makers and activists recently told the Guardian that law enforcement’s response has become over-militarized and aggressive, with police deploying batons and pepper spray against peaceful protesters and indiscriminately arresting demonstrators and journalists.
Local authorities have claimed that the protesters are dangerous and engaged in riots on private land.Local authorities have claimed that the protesters are dangerous and engaged in riots on private land.
7.35pm BST7.35pm BST
19:3519:35
Police close in on protestersPolice close in on protesters
Welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the increasingly tense protests of the Dakota Access pipeline, where police have announced that they are closing in on the Standing Rock Sioux tribe activists and their supporters.Welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the increasingly tense protests of the Dakota Access pipeline, where police have announced that they are closing in on the Standing Rock Sioux tribe activists and their supporters.
Police officials just announced that they plan to “take necessary steps to move trespassers from private property”, and reports and live video feeds from Cannon Ball, North Dakota, reveal a volatile standoff between activists opposing construction of the $3.7bn oil pipeline and police who have accused the demonstrators of criminal activity.Police officials just announced that they plan to “take necessary steps to move trespassers from private property”, and reports and live video feeds from Cannon Ball, North Dakota, reveal a volatile standoff between activists opposing construction of the $3.7bn oil pipeline and police who have accused the demonstrators of criminal activity.
The tribe and Native American advocates from across the US have for months camped out at the site in an effort to block a planned oil pipeline, which is operated by Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners and on track to transport fracked crude from North Dakota to a refinery near Chicago.The tribe and Native American advocates from across the US have for months camped out at the site in an effort to block a planned oil pipeline, which is operated by Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners and on track to transport fracked crude from North Dakota to a refinery near Chicago.
Tribal leaders have argued that the project threatens the local water supply and could destroy sacred lands. The standoff comes days after the Morton County sheriff’s office launched mass arrests of protesters, journalists and film-makers.Tribal leaders have argued that the project threatens the local water supply and could destroy sacred lands. The standoff comes days after the Morton County sheriff’s office launched mass arrests of protesters, journalists and film-makers.