MARQUETTE, MI-- Dozens of people congregated near the steps of the Marquette Federal Court building Saturday afternoon to show their support for those protesting the Dakota Access pipeline.
Native and non-Native people came together to bring attention to the months-long situation near Cannon Ball, ND. Some held signs and some drummed. They say leaks in the 1,200-mile pipeline could pollute the land and the Missouri River—the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s primary source of drinking water.
Protestors also said the project crosses sacred grounds and violates treaties made between the Standing Rock Sioux and the federal government.
More than 140 people were arrested in North Dakota last week when they tried to block construction of the pipeline. Police from six different states responded with rubber bullets, pepper spray, and handcuffs.
Dr. Martin Reinhardt, Chair/Associate Professor with NMU's Center for Native American Studies, released this statement:
"The water protectors out at Standing Rock in North Dakota remind us that "Mini Waconi” (Water is Life). Here in the Upper Peninsula on the shores of Lake Superior, we know all too well how important it is to protect the water.
Similar to the Dakota Access Pipeline, in Michigan we are faced with Enbridge pipeline 5 that runs under water at the Mackinac Straits. Although Line 5 should have never been allowed in the Great Lakes over 62 years ago, it is imperative that it be removed today. It has been said over and over again that it is not a matter of if it will rupture, it is a matter of when. If it ruptures during the winter under seven feet of ice, it will be nearly impossible to contain and will be disastrous for the surrounding ecosystems and the economy of that area.
Enbridge is the same oil company that is responsible for the worst spill in US history downstate in the Kalamazoo River. Enbridge is a co-owner of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
The people gathered at Standing Rock come from both Native and non-Native communities. This gathering of representatives from over 500 tribal nations is historic, symbolic, and necessary. We have a choice, we can choose to protect our Mother Earth and shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline and Line 5, or can pay the price for allowing the intensive extractive industries to keep doing what they are doing. The price will be paid most heavily by future generations who will have to deal with further severe outcomes of climate change."
