Photo credit: John Duffy, Flickr, Creative Commons
Now is a crucial time for all of us to stand with the Standing Rock Sioux and their supporters who are resisting the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline — a dirty energy project that threatens the wellbeing and livelihoods of the inhabitants of the Standing Rock reservation in North Dakota.
This is a struggle between the rights of the people who have inhabited that land for generations and the profits of a giant energy corporation. It exemplifies unrestrained corporate power trampling indigenous rights. It is a blatant injustice on all fronts: racial, social, economic, and climate.
North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple recently issued an evacuation order for Standing Rock, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has ruled that water protectors must vacate the site — both taking effect on Monday, December 5. Official statements suggest that forcible removal may not occur — which means now is the time to turn up the heat to ensure the people at the camp are protected. In the coming days, we cannot allow our elected officials to use force or intimidation to remove those standing up for Native communities, and the water, land, and climate we all rely on.
You can make a difference. Call the crucial decision-makers right now:
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Call President Obama at the White House: 202-456-1111
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Call North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple: 701-328-2200
Sample call script:
“My name is _____ and I’m calling to ask [the President/the Governor] to do everything in his power to prevent the removal of the people present at the Standing Rock camp. I also urge him to halt construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. But first and foremost, it is critical at this moment for him to ensure that government and private entities refrain from using force or intimidation against those at the camp. Thank you.”
Thank you for joining us in taking action in solidarity with the people at Standing Rock.
For more information on how to best support the people standing up to the Dakota Access Pipeline project, please visit: http://standwithstandingrock.net/
