Army Corps of Engineers Orders Dakota Pipeline Protesters to Abandon Camp

[pinboy3niner]

by Phil McCausland

Activists protesting the continued construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline must shut down one of their camps by Dec. 5, the Army Corps of Engineers ordered in a letter sent to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's leader.

Citing increased violence between protesters and law enforcement and the increasingly harsh winter conditions, the corps said it decided to close its land to the protesters who have been there since early April. This will shut down the Oceti Sakowin camp, which is one of the three camps located near the construction site.

"Today we were notified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that on Dec. 5th, they will close all lands north of the Cannonball River, which is where the Oceti Sakowin camp is located," Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II in a statement. "The letter states that the lands will be closed to public access for safety concerns, and that they will allow for a 'free speech zone' south of the Cannonball River on Army Corps lands."

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The free speech zone the corps has proposed is slightly more than 41 acres, located south of the Cannonball River and provides clearer jurisdiction for police, fire and medical units.


U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

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http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/dakota-pipeline-protests/army-corps-engineers-orders-dakota-pipeline-protesters-abandon-camp-n688476

[annabanana]

1. "Free Speech Zone" is an oxymoron.

Does that mean "No free speech allowed beyond this line"?

[chillfactor]

2. what are they going to do if no one leaves?

would have made more sense to get law enforcement away from there.