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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
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| North Dakota pipeline: protesters pushed back after arrests, pepper spray – live | North Dakota pipeline: protesters pushed back after arrests, pepper spray – live |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 1.31am BST | |
| 01:31 | |
| The Morton County sheriff’s department has released a new statement clarifying their earlier release regarding firearm incidents: | |
| At around 5:30 law enforcement received a report of gun shots being fired near a bridge just north of the main camp. A person was injured. Law enforcement have one person in custody. | |
| In a separate incident, a woman was being placed under arrest and pulled a weapon and fired three shots near officers who were holding a line. She was taken into custody. No officers were injured. | |
| One key difference is that officials are now saying that a weapon was fired “near officers” rather than “at” officers, as the previous statement alleged. | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.33am BST | |
| 1.26am BST | |
| 01:26 | |
| Some pictures from today’s events: | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.33am BST | |
| 1.15am BST | |
| 01:15 | |
| Reports of incidents involving firearms | |
| A spokesperson for the Morton County sheriff’s department has sent the Guardian a statement about several separate incidents involving firearms at the protest today, including one in which a woman being placed under arrest allegedly shot at law enforcement officers. | |
| The statement in full: | |
| We have received reports of several incidents involving firearms. | |
| 1) Situation involved a private individual who was run off the road by protestors. The victim was shot in the hand and is being treated. An investigation in underway. No law enforcement was involved with this shooting. | |
| 2) At the front line on Highway 1806, a woman who was being placed under arrest, pulled a .38 caliber revolver and fired three shots at law enforcement, narrowly missing a sheriff’s deputy. She was taken into custody with no shots fired by law enforcement. | |
| 3) Ten shots were reported in the area. It’s possible it is local hunters. This incident is under investigation. | |
| 1.06am BST | |
| 01:06 | |
| Democratic nominee for president Hillary Clinton has weighed in on the situation. In a statement to NBC News, Clinton campaign spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa said: | |
| From the beginning of this campaign, Secretary Clinton has been clear that she thinks all voices should be heard and all views considered in federal infrastructure projects. Now, all of the parties involved — including the federal government, the pipeline company and contractors, the state of North Dakota, and the tribes — need to find a path forward that serves the broadest public interest. As that happens, it’s important that on the ground in North Dakota, everyone respects demonstrators’ rights to protest peacefully, and workers’ rights to do their jobs safely. | |
| 11.59pm BST | 11.59pm BST |
| 23:59 | 23:59 |
| Police have cleared protesters from the land owned by the pipeline construction company | Police have cleared protesters from the land owned by the pipeline construction company |
| Here’s a little more about what exactly that means. | Here’s a little more about what exactly that means. |
| The original protest camp – Sacred Stone – is on tribal land owned by Lakota Sioux tribal member Ladonna Allard, on the west bank of the Missouri river, just south of where the smaller Cannonball river flows into it. | The original protest camp – Sacred Stone – is on tribal land owned by Lakota Sioux tribal member Ladonna Allard, on the west bank of the Missouri river, just south of where the smaller Cannonball river flows into it. |
| As it grew, the camp multiplied and spread. Teepees sprung up along the west bank of the Cannonball – the new camp was formed by Rosebud Sioux – and then up to the county road, and then across the road bridge on to the east bank. | As it grew, the camp multiplied and spread. Teepees sprung up along the west bank of the Cannonball – the new camp was formed by Rosebud Sioux – and then up to the county road, and then across the road bridge on to the east bank. |
| The area on the east bank, where there is much more space, became the main camp once the ranks of protesters swelled in August. That land is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers. | The area on the east bank, where there is much more space, became the main camp once the ranks of protesters swelled in August. That land is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers. |
| Further east along the road, toward the Missouri river, is the construction site. That’s the place that protesters erected teepees in protest today, and it is that site from which they have been cleared by police. | Further east along the road, toward the Missouri river, is the construction site. That’s the place that protesters erected teepees in protest today, and it is that site from which they have been cleared by police. |
| Protesters are currently being pushed back along the county road towards the main camp on the east bank of the Cannonball, where they will be allowed – for now – to stay, according to Morton County sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier. | Protesters are currently being pushed back along the county road towards the main camp on the east bank of the Cannonball, where they will be allowed – for now – to stay, according to Morton County sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.04am BST | at 12.04am BST |
| 11.29pm BST | 11.29pm BST |
| 23:29 | 23:29 |
| Protesters have been pushed out of the North Camp, on land owned by Dakota Access, and are being pushed down the road back to the original camp by police driving armored vehicles. | Protesters have been pushed out of the North Camp, on land owned by Dakota Access, and are being pushed down the road back to the original camp by police driving armored vehicles. |
| Hoferer is still live on Facebook: | Hoferer is still live on Facebook: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.04am BST | at 12.04am BST |
| 11.11pm BST | 11.11pm BST |
| 23:11 | 23:11 |
| Sheriff Kirchmeier: we'll be here 'as long as it takes' | Sheriff Kirchmeier: we'll be here 'as long as it takes' |
| In a press conference just now, Morton County sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said that “numerous more arrestees” on top of the 16 already confirmed are en route to the police station. “I can’t give you numbers, but right now they are arresting individuals ... [who will be charged with] anywhere from public nuisance to inciting a riot. | In a press conference just now, Morton County sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said that “numerous more arrestees” on top of the 16 already confirmed are en route to the police station. “I can’t give you numbers, but right now they are arresting individuals ... [who will be charged with] anywhere from public nuisance to inciting a riot. |
| He said that the north camp, which is on land owned by the Dakota Access pipeline’s parent company, was now clear, but he said that police were planning to be there “as long as it takes” to keep protesters off the pipeline’s land. | He said that the north camp, which is on land owned by the Dakota Access pipeline’s parent company, was now clear, but he said that police were planning to be there “as long as it takes” to keep protesters off the pipeline’s land. |
| Kirchmeier confirmed that pepper spray had been used but said that tear gas, rubber bullets or beanbag rounds had not been deployed – “Not that I’m aware of.” | Kirchmeier confirmed that pepper spray had been used but said that tear gas, rubber bullets or beanbag rounds had not been deployed – “Not that I’m aware of.” |
| He said that there were more than 200 police officers on the scene. | He said that there were more than 200 police officers on the scene. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.29pm BST | at 11.29pm BST |
| 11.01pm BST | 11.01pm BST |
| 23:01 | 23:01 |
| At the protest is a mixture of police and private security, some of the latter of whom are watching events unfold: | At the protest is a mixture of police and private security, some of the latter of whom are watching events unfold: |
| In the background, DAPL private security watching (and a few smirking) as protestors are teargassed #NODAPL #DAPL pic.twitter.com/7fDiKgwjFP | In the background, DAPL private security watching (and a few smirking) as protestors are teargassed #NODAPL #DAPL pic.twitter.com/7fDiKgwjFP |
| 10.49pm BST | 10.49pm BST |
| 22:49 | 22:49 |
| Sheriff slams 'millionaire Hollywood actors' | Sheriff slams 'millionaire Hollywood actors' |
| Morton County sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier has slammed Native American protesters and their supporters in a new statement that appears to be a response to actor Mark Ruffalo, who is backing the Standing Rock Sioux tribe: | Morton County sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier has slammed Native American protesters and their supporters in a new statement that appears to be a response to actor Mark Ruffalo, who is backing the Standing Rock Sioux tribe: |
| Morton County has entrusted me to uphold the law and that is exactly what I intend to do. Yet I am being asked by outsiders and millionaire Hollywood actors to let agitators and rioters walk onto private property, destroy equipment, and endanger lives. And, so-called environmentalists are asking me to turn my head and allow this to happen. We have patrolled the county and enforced the law because our number one priority is public safety, separating the unlawful actors from legal protesters. This is not about the pipeline. This is not about those who wish to legally protest. This is about the rule of law. | Morton County has entrusted me to uphold the law and that is exactly what I intend to do. Yet I am being asked by outsiders and millionaire Hollywood actors to let agitators and rioters walk onto private property, destroy equipment, and endanger lives. And, so-called environmentalists are asking me to turn my head and allow this to happen. We have patrolled the county and enforced the law because our number one priority is public safety, separating the unlawful actors from legal protesters. This is not about the pipeline. This is not about those who wish to legally protest. This is about the rule of law. |
| Here’s Ruffalo at the Dakota Access pipeline demonstration earlier this week: | Here’s Ruffalo at the Dakota Access pipeline demonstration earlier this week: |
| Peaceful resistance. #NoDAPL #StandingRock pic.twitter.com/alp8Gk2vA8 | Peaceful resistance. #NoDAPL #StandingRock pic.twitter.com/alp8Gk2vA8 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.53pm BST | at 10.53pm BST |
| 10.35pm BST | 10.35pm BST |
| 22:35 | 22:35 |
| Police make 16 arrests, deploy pepper spray | Police make 16 arrests, deploy pepper spray |
| Police have made 16 arrests as of 3.30pm local time, Cecily Fong, spokeswoman for the state department of emergency services, told the Guardian. | Police have made 16 arrests as of 3.30pm local time, Cecily Fong, spokeswoman for the state department of emergency services, told the Guardian. |
| Fong confirmed that police have also used pepper spray on activists, who have been standing their ground and refusing to back down as police close in on the demonstration at the Dakota Access pipeline site. Fong said state officials are “hopeful” that police can clear the area of protesters, at which point the pipeline operator, Energy Transfer Partners, would be responsible for security. | Fong confirmed that police have also used pepper spray on activists, who have been standing their ground and refusing to back down as police close in on the demonstration at the Dakota Access pipeline site. Fong said state officials are “hopeful” that police can clear the area of protesters, at which point the pipeline operator, Energy Transfer Partners, would be responsible for security. |
| “They were given a warning that they were free to go,” she said, adding, “The pipeline company will secure that site since it’s their property.” | “They were given a warning that they were free to go,” she said, adding, “The pipeline company will secure that site since it’s their property.” |
| Fong claimed that the protesters had become violent, but the activists have repeatedly argued that police have been the aggressors. Fong said she believes the company would allow activists to return to the site to retrieve their teepees. She added: | Fong claimed that the protesters had become violent, but the activists have repeatedly argued that police have been the aggressors. Fong said she believes the company would allow activists to return to the site to retrieve their teepees. She added: |
| Our intent from the beginning here is that no one gets seriously hurt. We’ve shown a lot of patience and discretion. | Our intent from the beginning here is that no one gets seriously hurt. We’ve shown a lot of patience and discretion. |
| 10.33pm BST | 10.33pm BST |
| 22:33 | 22:33 |
| Police are currently attempting to push protesters up the street and away from the construction site. | Police are currently attempting to push protesters up the street and away from the construction site. |
| Atsa E’sha Hoferer is currently streaming the events on Facebook Live: | Atsa E’sha Hoferer is currently streaming the events on Facebook Live: |
| 10.23pm BST | 10.23pm BST |
| 22:23 | 22:23 |
| Rose Stiffarm, a cinematographer and member of six Native American nations including the Chippewa Cree, has been at the protest camp for a month. | Rose Stiffarm, a cinematographer and member of six Native American nations including the Chippewa Cree, has been at the protest camp for a month. |
| She just spoke to the Guardian over the phone from the the protest over the noise of police loud-hailers and the sound of protesters chanting “Mni Wiconi”, which means “water is life” in the Lakota dialect. | She just spoke to the Guardian over the phone from the the protest over the noise of police loud-hailers and the sound of protesters chanting “Mni Wiconi”, which means “water is life” in the Lakota dialect. |
| “I’m on the front lines right now,” Stiffarm said. “They just fired some rounds of tear-gas or something - it’s hard to tell.” | “I’m on the front lines right now,” Stiffarm said. “They just fired some rounds of tear-gas or something - it’s hard to tell.” |
| We are innocent people; women, children, and elders. The government is attacking us for protesting, for protecting the water. | We are innocent people; women, children, and elders. The government is attacking us for protesting, for protecting the water. |
| Asked to describe what she was seeing, she said: | Asked to describe what she was seeing, she said: |
| I’m on the road right now ... right now we’re probably at least 100 protectors here, and about the same amount of police. There’s military vehicles that are armored, pipeline workers here surrounding us in addition to police. | I’m on the road right now ... right now we’re probably at least 100 protectors here, and about the same amount of police. There’s military vehicles that are armored, pipeline workers here surrounding us in addition to police. |
| They have these noise-things that are meant to deafen us, the volume is increasing. There’s some people here wearing eyewear and ear-protection ... I saw a person of the press pepper-sprayed because they have a camera - they are targeting press right now. | They have these noise-things that are meant to deafen us, the volume is increasing. There’s some people here wearing eyewear and ear-protection ... I saw a person of the press pepper-sprayed because they have a camera - they are targeting press right now. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.24pm BST | at 10.24pm BST |
| 10.15pm BST | 10.15pm BST |
| 22:15 | 22:15 |
| Mark Ruffalo says police 'very aggressive' | Mark Ruffalo says police 'very aggressive' |
| Actor Mark Ruffalo, who traveled to North Dakota to support the pipeline protests, said he observed that police were “very, very aggressive” in an interview on CNN. | Actor Mark Ruffalo, who traveled to North Dakota to support the pipeline protests, said he observed that police were “very, very aggressive” in an interview on CNN. |
| Mark Ruffalo speaks about police violence at pipeline protests in North Dakota: “Very, very aggressive” https://t.co/oj9wDDAphu | Mark Ruffalo speaks about police violence at pipeline protests in North Dakota: “Very, very aggressive” https://t.co/oj9wDDAphu |
| He continued: | He continued: |
| The mantra of the place is it’s not the police, it’s the pipeline that we’re protesting or protecting ourselves against. They spend basically the entire day doing prayers, chanting. I’ve never been around so peaceful a stand. It’s led by young people. | The mantra of the place is it’s not the police, it’s the pipeline that we’re protesting or protecting ourselves against. They spend basically the entire day doing prayers, chanting. I’ve never been around so peaceful a stand. It’s led by young people. |
| 10.04pm BST | 10.04pm BST |
| 22:04 | 22:04 |
| Unicorn Riot, an independent media organization who have been reporting on the ground at the protests since they began in April, captured this picture which appears to show a tribal elder in ceremonial dress being arrested at the protest: | Unicorn Riot, an independent media organization who have been reporting on the ground at the protests since they began in April, captured this picture which appears to show a tribal elder in ceremonial dress being arrested at the protest: |
| Police have arrested an elder in ceremonial garb who was praying. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/IJtXUvPQyd | Police have arrested an elder in ceremonial garb who was praying. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/IJtXUvPQyd |
| There are also reports that pepper spray is being deployed: | There are also reports that pepper spray is being deployed: |
| #NoDAPL cops macing crowd, people running https://t.co/caEhSPIdSO pic.twitter.com/bJ8spS0zpq | #NoDAPL cops macing crowd, people running https://t.co/caEhSPIdSO pic.twitter.com/bJ8spS0zpq |
| 9.50pm BST | 9.50pm BST |
| 21:50 | 21:50 |
| Police: 'You are going to get pepper-sprayed' | Police: 'You are going to get pepper-sprayed' |
| Tensions are escalating at the standoff between police and protesters at the Dakota Access pipeline. Video feed from Atsa E’sha Hoferer, one of the Facebook live-streams with the most viewers today, just captured police making a number of threats to activists if they don’t back down and return to a camp farther away. An officer said: | Tensions are escalating at the standoff between police and protesters at the Dakota Access pipeline. Video feed from Atsa E’sha Hoferer, one of the Facebook live-streams with the most viewers today, just captured police making a number of threats to activists if they don’t back down and return to a camp farther away. An officer said: |
| You are going to get pepper-sprayed if you are on top of the pickup ... Do not approach officers. You will be arrested ... We are not coming down there. We are not coming to your main camp. You can send a liaison. | You are going to get pepper-sprayed if you are on top of the pickup ... Do not approach officers. You will be arrested ... We are not coming down there. We are not coming to your main camp. You can send a liaison. |
| Hoferer said on the stream: | Hoferer said on the stream: |
| They are surrounding us now ... They have their batons out ready to hurt us. | They are surrounding us now ... They have their batons out ready to hurt us. |
| #NoDAPL prayer circle refuses to move, cops saying group "by the pickup" will be arrested if they do not move https://t.co/caEhSPIdSO pic.twitter.com/fKQcppr8Q3 | #NoDAPL prayer circle refuses to move, cops saying group "by the pickup" will be arrested if they do not move https://t.co/caEhSPIdSO pic.twitter.com/fKQcppr8Q3 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.01pm BST | at 10.01pm BST |
| 9.33pm BST | 9.33pm BST |
| 21:33 | 21:33 |
| Are you protesting the Dakota Access pipeline? Share your photos and stories | Are you protesting the Dakota Access pipeline? Share your photos and stories |
| Harry Slater | Harry Slater |
| In early September, activists opposing the $3.8bn oil pipeline held solidarity protests in more than 100 cities across the US and around the world. People gathered at rallies in New York City, Los Angeles and London to support the Standing Rock Sioux. | In early September, activists opposing the $3.8bn oil pipeline held solidarity protests in more than 100 cities across the US and around the world. People gathered at rallies in New York City, Los Angeles and London to support the Standing Rock Sioux. |
| We asked you to share your photos of demonstrations via GuardianWitness. Esperanza Gutierrez captured scenes in San Diego. You can see more contributions and submit your own. | We asked you to share your photos of demonstrations via GuardianWitness. Esperanza Gutierrez captured scenes in San Diego. You can see more contributions and submit your own. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.40pm BST | at 9.40pm BST |
| 9.15pm BST | 9.15pm BST |
| 21:15 | 21:15 |
| Police make arrests | Police make arrests |
| Authorities closing in on Dakota Access pipeline protesters have begun making arrests, a spokeswoman for the local sheriff just told the Guardian. | Authorities closing in on Dakota Access pipeline protesters have begun making arrests, a spokeswoman for the local sheriff just told the Guardian. |
| BREAKING: Authorities begin arresting protesters at camp on private land in the path of Dakota Access pipeline. | BREAKING: Authorities begin arresting protesters at camp on private land in the path of Dakota Access pipeline. |
| “They’re pushing us off of this land. But we’re not budging,” Atsa E’sha Hoferer said on a Facebook live-stream, capturing the commotion of loud helicopters and sirens in the background. “Everybody ... needs to get here now. We need you here today.” | “They’re pushing us off of this land. But we’re not budging,” Atsa E’sha Hoferer said on a Facebook live-stream, capturing the commotion of loud helicopters and sirens in the background. “Everybody ... needs to get here now. We need you here today.” |
| The spokeswoman said she was not immediately able to confirm how many arrests have taken place. | The spokeswoman said she was not immediately able to confirm how many arrests have taken place. |
| The Associated Press also just reported that officers are now converging on the camp from two directions, threatening arrest on loudspeakers. Some activists are defying commands and others are taking part in prayer circles. | The Associated Press also just reported that officers are now converging on the camp from two directions, threatening arrest on loudspeakers. Some activists are defying commands and others are taking part in prayer circles. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.03pm BST | at 10.03pm BST |