The following statement from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s Chairman, Dave Archambault II, can be quotes in part of in full:
“Today we were notified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that on Dec. 5th, they will close all lands north of the Cannonball River, which is where the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ camp is located. The letter states that the lands will be closed to public access for safety concerns, and that they will allow for ‘free speech zone’ south of the Cannonball River on Army Corps land.
Our Tribe is deeply disappointed in this decision by the United States, but our resolve to protect our water is stronger than ever. The best way to protect the people during winter, and reduce the risk of conflict between water protectors and militarized police, is to deny the easement for the Oahe crossing, and deny it now.”
