SOLIDARITY STANDING ROCK -- Clergy and Catholic Workers Chose Jail, Refuse Bond as Civil Disobedience

Water Protectors and Spiritual Leaders of different faiths sat in at the State Capitol in Bismarck, then visited the Governor's Mansion. Law Enforcement responded with Riot Police and made arrests. This is the day after more than 100 Water Protectors were injured by police while trying to protect burial grounds. Photo copyright Rob Wilson.

Riot Police detaining Religious/Spiritual Leaders peacefully assembled outside the North Dakota Governor's Mansion in Bismarck, ND. Photo copyright by Rob Wilson Photography

Riot Police detaining Religious/Spiritual Leaders peacefully assembled outside the North Dakota Governor's Mansion in Bismarck, ND. Photo copyright by Rob Wilson Photography

Eleven water protectors, mostly clergy and Catholic workers, have refused bond and are doing jail solidarity as part of their civil disobedience.

By Red Owl Legal Collective/National Lawyers Guild

Censored News

(Friday, Nov. 4, 2016) Red Owl Legal Collective provided court and jail support for water protectors arrested yesterday at the capital who had bond hearings today.

Seven people were released, one of whom had her charges dropped because the judge failed to find probable cause. Sara Long has been bonded out of Cass County Jail and arrangements are being made to get her and another water protector back to camp.

Eleven water protectors, mostly clergy and Catholic workers, have refused bond and are doing jail solidarity as part of their civil disobedience. Two are being held at the Morton County Jail and nine at Cass County.

On November 3, at least 17 clergy representing multiple faiths were arrested at the governor’s office [praying] and charged with disorderly conduct and “criminal trespass.”

Rather than bring all the arrestees to a holding facility in Bismarck, law enforcement separated the group by gender, then drove all the women to Fargo, North Dakota, more than four hours’ drive away.

Red Owl has found no evidence that this decision was made because of a lack of space. The separation is part of a larger pattern of separating arrestees on seemingly arbitrary bases; Red Owl reports that arrestees have been sent to six different facilities all over the state so far.

These are sacred times. 

(Above) Published on Nov 4, 2016

TYT Politics Reporter Jordan Chariton (https://twitter.com/JordanChariton) reported from the State Capital of North Dakota where 14 clergy members where arrested for praying at the State Capitol of North Dakota.

The clergy members and water protectors with them were trying to speak with Governor Jack Dalrymple, whose home is on the Capitol premises. Dalrymple had told two clergy members he would speak to them, but when they arrived, he remained in his home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9B7LRDYDa0

(Above) Published on Nov 3, 2016

Over 400 Clergy have shown up in Cannonball, ND at Standing Rock to show their support for the indigenous people and the right to clean drinking water. As they march in support, they bring awareness to other churches in what is happening here.

If you want to join in solidarity, speak to your church or congregation about getting a bus in your area to bring you, talk to the schools/universities about doing the same, search the Standing Rock posts that are going up because one may already be scheduled to head to Standing Rock. If nothing else find a sponsor in your local area to sponsor your trip. This isn't just for them, this is happening to us all and we all need clean drinking water . I know everyday someone uses water to take showers, wash their children, make tea and coffee at home, prepare their family's meals using water. Think about the people in Flint who can not even do any of this because of polluted water. We have seen 2 pipelines explode in less that 2 months. It doesn't matter which type it was because it happens with every type all the time. Next time you go to the store to buy bottled water, you think about how companies like Nestle want to take away the right to clean drinking water forcing you to have to buy it. Next time you see a soldier coming home from war or see the National Guard passing you down the street headed to training, you need to take a double look because it may be local law enforcement. Each city and state are now becoming militarized with leftover vehicles, weapons and gear from a war on foreign soil by our military. The states are becoming military states and the law enforcement officers are being trained they are constantly at war here at home. This is why so many fear police. Police as we all know stick together regardless of circumstances. For example, look up the statistical data on abused wives of officers and then research their stories. You'll find most won't report it because they not only fear their husband's but the whole department. There are many reasons to Stand with Standing Rock....you just have to pick one.. the right one. Clean water is the most important resource on the planet. 783 MILLION people don't have access to clean water, 2.5 BILLION people don't have adequate sanitation for their water and 6 to 8 million people die EVERY year of water related diseases. This isn't a joke people! It's time to wake up and act!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhSkl-PUxHo