Dakota Access, LLC, a subsidiary of Energy Transfer Partners, has been tasked with the construction of a pipeline that runs from North Dakota to Illinois in order to transport crude oil without the use of truck or train.
Many Native Americans who hail from areas the Dakota Access pipeline will pass through have been protesting the pipeline’s construction. Reasons for protest include environmental threat, lack of communication with the concerned Native Americans and potential threat to the tribes’ drinking water and irrigation.
Construction workers bulldozed land recently deemed a historic sacred site. Soon after, protesters moved to the site in retaliation. The resultant actions of security and police have caused international outrage and criticism.
President Obama recently announced his administration’s consideration of rerouting the pipeline to avoid historic and sacred land.
The Daily Reveille spoke with some students for their opinions on the situation:
What is your opinion on the Dakota Access pipeline being built through Native American land?
What is your opinion on how the police have been treating protesters?
If the government allows the pipeline’s construction to continue, what do you think the protesters should do, if anything?
Sophie Vincent, geology freshman: “I believe that the North Dakota Access pipeline being built through [sacred land] is a violation of cultural rights… the country will lose an important piece of valuable, historic land. Not only will the families living on the reservation have to relocate, but the country will also lose an important piece of valuable historic land. Also, if the pipeline fails, it will pollute over 1,000 miles of land causing permanent damage to the ground and environment.”
“The police are taking it way too far with the protesters. Is it really necessary to use army tanks to control human beings fighting for their rights?”
“If the construction continues, I think the protesters have the right to fight for what is theirs. If the government was threatening to take your home away, wouldn’t you fight for it?”
Oliver Williams, apparel merchandising junior: “I don’t have a problem with it. I mean it’s just part of business, people have to make sacrifices.”
“Oh no.”
“I feel like you should let people protest. Because if you do a peaceful protest I don’t see a problem with it. Once it gets violent, I mean that’s a whole other level. I feel like you should let people protest as long as it isn’t getting in the way of like normal life. People working on the pipeline or people in the city. Just police officers in general. I feel like everybody should just come even. Protesters can do them, police officers, you know, they secure everything. Just as long as nothing gets out of control.”
Kristin White, recent public relations graduate: “I don’t think they should. I think it’s wrong they didn’t talk to the people that were living there. Like they’re not thinking about the environment, it’s really inconsiderate.”
“The police are too aggressive, just in general. And I saw some of the videos of the things that were happening to the protesters. And it was just unnecessary. They were putting people in dog crates after they were arrested. But yeah just overall it’s inhumane the way that they’re treating them.”
“If they continue to build it and people continue to protest, I think that there should be some sort of sit down where everybody gets together and voices their opinions, and try to find an alternative that’s also eco-friendly, and maybe stop building it or just like find a way to move it out of that way because it’s already messing with the water systems in that area.”
Cecelia Morise, sociology and Spanish senior: “So I hate to say I’m regretfully uninformed with the details of this issue, but I do side with the people protesting. I don’t think I can give a more informed opinion on that but I know who I side with.”
“I hate it, I mean for the most part, they’re not doing anything illegal, and even if they are civil disobedience is a way to get the attention of authority so I don’t agree with [the police treatment] at all.”
“I hate to think of what will happen, but I hope that the protesters don’t give up and that they do what they can to continue to try and save it. I hope it doesn’t come to a point of like supreme violence, especially coming from the state, but I hope that everything works out and that we as a community—even people who can’t get there—can continue to support them, everything from changing your location on Facebook to confuse the authorities, to donating to supporting them. I don’t know where it’s going, but I hope things get better.”