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.

Ute Kenny Frost 'COVID-19 vs Natives tribes'

Native update on the COVID-19 on the impact with southwestern Indian Country

By Kenny Frost, Ute

Censored News

Arizona/New Mexico

As of March 9, the Navajo Nation announced Thursday evening they had 558 identified cases, with 22 confirmed deaths. That's an increase in 70 positive cases from the previous day. Of the 558 cases, 405 involve residents on tribal land in Arizona counties. The Navajo Nation includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

On Thursday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer announced the self-quarantine after coming in contact with the first responder on Tuesday, according to the Navajo Nation statement. "This is real and no one is immune from contracting the virus," Nez said, "I have been informed that the officials with Army Corps and National Guard are also self-quarantining to be on the safe side and are doing fine," Nez said.

Navajo Nation: 558 coronavirus cases, 22 deaths, with President self-quarantined

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70 new positive cases of COVID-19, two more deaths reported

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer

Censored News

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The total number of positive tests for COVID-19 has reached 558 for the Navajo Nation as of Thursday – an increase of 70 positive cases since Wednesday, according to the Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area Indian Health Service, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center. The report also includes 2,381 total negative test results as of Thursday. There is now a total of 22 confirmed deaths related to COVID-19.

The 558 confirmed positive cases include the following counties: