87 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 13 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
OpEdNews Op Eds    H3'ed 10/27/16

First Amendment Rights Must Be Protected for Those Peacefully Opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline

By       (Page 1 of 1 pages)   No comments
Message Al Gore
Become a Fan
  (1 fan)

From EcoWatch


(Image by Peg Hunter / Flickr)   Details   DMCA

I stand with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in their opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline. We have witnessed inspiring and brave acts by Native Americans and their allies who are defending and trying to protect their sacred sites and the safety of their sole source of water.

The fossil fuel industry -- and the owners of the Dakota Access Pipeline in particular -- have been proceeding with what appears to be a dangerous project in blatant disregard of obvious risks to the Missouri River and with disrespect to the Standing Rock Sioux.

In the process, those trying to force completion of this pipeline have -- according to independent news reports -- been using oppressive practices against this community. In response, Standing Rock Chairman David Archambault has requested that the Justice Department deploy observers to ensure that the First Amendment rights of those peacefully opposing this pipeline are protected. I hope his request is honored.

The non-violent resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline is also one of the front-line struggles that collectively mark a turning point in the decision by humanity to turn away from the destructive path we have been following and aim instead toward a clean energy future for all.


Copyrighted Image? DMCA
EcoWatch @EcoWatch

UNPRECEDENTED! Gov Uses Emergency Order to Bring Out-of-State Police to Protest http:// rbl.ms/2eDAEom @ MarkRuffalo

3:29 PM - 25 Oct 2016

Governor Uses Emergency Order to Bring Out-of-State Police to Dakota Access Pipeline Protest

Dozens of additional law enforcement officers from six states are headed to North Dakota under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact! ecowatch.com

The courage and eloquence of the Standing Rock Sioux in calling all of us to recognize that in their words, "Water is Life," should be applauded, not silenced by those who are driven by their business model to continue spewing harmful global warming pollution into our Earth's atmosphere.

This is also an opportunity to acknowledge and learn from the traditional values being expressed by the Standing Rock Sioux to protect life on Earth.

The effort to ensure that their voices are heard and their rights are respected are not only issues of civil rights and religious freedom, but reflect the choice we must make to ensure a sustainable, just, fair and healthy future for all generations to come.

Must Read 2   Well Said 2   Supported 1  
Rate It | View Ratings

Al Gore Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Nobel Prize Winner, Former VP of US, Former US presidential candidate. Oscar Winner for Inconvenient Truth

Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

First Amendment Rights Must Be Protected for Those Peacefully Opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline

Al Gore's Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech

400 Parts Per Million

Statement regarding Anwar Ibrahim

Don Siegelman is America's #1 "Political Prisoner"

Meet Paul Ryan

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend