The historical conflict between the U.S government and Native Americans seems to be repeating itself. The birth of this nation was obtained with the argument of manifest destiny which was then put into action by taking Native American’s land in a violent and inhumane way. Recently, the proposition to build a 1,172-mile pipeline through North Dakota has caused a lot of conflict due to effects this will have on the Native American tribe, Standing Rock Lakota Sioux Nation. The pipe will pass through land marks, including burial ground as well as having the potential to contaminate the water this tribe uses as pivotal source of their living.
Legal agreements that protect Native American and their land have constantly been violated by the U.S government such as, the building of the Dalles Dam in 1950 amongst others. A U.S federal judge gave the order to build the North Dakota pipeline, regardless of the cultural value it holds for Native Americans because the construction of this pipeline will bring significant financial benefits for the Energy Transfer Partners, parent company Dakota Access, and it will also decrease the dependency the U.S has on crude oil. The path to a better future should be to learn from our past mistakes. Native American people should have a sovereignty over their land and their culture should be respected. Instead of investing 3.8 billion dollars in the ongoing destruction of Native American culture, Dakota Access should invest that money in finding new sources of energy. The protesters who have gathered in North Dakota to show their support for the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline are being arrested en masse by police. This has brought into question citizens’ right to protest causes with which they disagree in the United States.
If 300,000 people had not participated in a March on Washington, D.C. in 1963, the United States would not have the civil rights that its citizens enjoy today. Protesting is a vital part of U.S. democracy and it is protected by the First Amendment. If citizens could not protest, they would not have this powerful opportunity to create a dialogue with the government. By arresting over 100 people, the executive branch of the U.S. government is telling its citizens that their voice and actions do not matter. Arresting innocent people sets a dangerous precedent for which the police do not want to be known. Citizens have the right to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline and should be allowed to do so without repercussion.
Written by:
Maria Markowics, Rebecca Simons, Angel Mendieta, Yesenia Barrios