Standing Rock Indigenous Water Protector Sues North Dakota Police for Abuse of Civil Rights

Standing Rock Indigenous Water Protector Sues North Dakota Police for Abuse of Civil Rights

By Lauren Regan, CLDC

Censored News

April 8, 2020

Case Joins Several Other Standing Rock Cases Currently Stalled Pending Court Rulings on Defense Motions to Dismiss


EUGENE, Oregon — Today, CLDC attorneys representing Comanche Water Protector and videographer Eric Poemoceah filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in the North Dakota federal court against defendants Morton County, North Dakota; Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier; (then) Sheriff Paul Laney; Tom Iverson (formerly lieutenant, now captain with N.D. Highway Patrol); and Bismarck police officer Benjamin Swenson.


Mr. Poemoceah was at Standing Rock in 2017 to support the peaceful opposition to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), led by the Oceti Šakowiŋ (the Seven Council Fires, or Great Sioux Nation). The DAPL pipeline, also known as the Black Snake, was recently found to be illegal by the federal courts. At all times, Mr. Poemoceah remained peaceful and non-violent in his opposition to the pipeline, often livestreaming the Indigenous-led movement to thousands of online supporters.

Navajo Nation Coronavirus Rapid Spread: 597 cases, 22 deaths, with 57-hour curfew underway

39 new positive cases of COVID-19, 2,705 total negative tests reported

By Navajo President's Office

Censored News

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The total number of positive tests for COVID-19 has reached 597 for the Navajo Nation as of Friday – an increase of 39 positive cases since Thursday, according to the Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area Indian Health Service, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center. The report also indicates that there is now a total of 2,705 negative test results as of Friday. There remains a total of 22 confirmed deaths related to COVID-19 as previously reported.