2,000 Veterans Are At Standing Rock To Form Human Shield To Protect Protesters From Police Brutality
Over 2,000 members of Veterans Stand for Standing Rock are planning to travel to a campsite near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, to create a human barrier between protesters and law enforcement this weekend. The news comes just a day following the US Commission on Civil Rights accusing law enforcement of using “military-style equipment and excessive force” against Native American protesters.
Erick Lizandro Marroquin, one of the Veterans Standing for Standing Rock members, told RT America’s Ed Schultz that they acknowledge the risks of coming into conflict with law enforcement or other authorities that have been accused of excessive force.
“When we get there, we’re not just Latinos, blacks or whites, we are veterans,”Marroquin stated. “So, they will be shooting or threatening the uniform of the United States military. But it doesn’t have to get to this point.”
The veterans are not only hoping to offer some protection to the protesters, but also a respite from demonstrating.
“We want to give them a moment of peace so we can take a little bit of pressure off,” Ashleigh Jennifer Parker, a Coast Guard veteran and spokeswoman for Veterans Stand for Standing Rock,
The veterans will be going to the Oceti Sakowin campsite, which has been the target of a number of recent orders from the government. This weekend will be a critical time for the camp, as the US Army Corps of Engineers announced that it would close the protest camp on Saturday. While authorities say they do not plan to forcibly remove protesters, all remaining persons would be subject to prosecution and arrest.
On Monday, Governor Jack Dalrymple (R) ordered an emergency evacuation of the camp, citing harsh weather conditions. In addition, local law enforcement announced plans to block supplies from entering the campsite but walked back on that, claiming they would only check vehicles for prohibited supplies and issue fines of as much as $1,000 for violating the governor’s order.
However, that did little to deter Veterans Stand for Standing Rock, who appear motivated to support the cause.
“I figured this was more important than anything else I could be doing,” Guy Dull Knife, 69, a Vietnam War Army veteran,
Dull Knife has been at the campsite for months and will soon by joined by many more veterans, including Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and a major in the Hawaii Army National Guard.
Parker explained to USA Today that she and the other veterans are not concerned about violent treatment, because it would only bring more attention to the cause.
“We’re hoping if we stand together in formation and look the aggressors in their face… if they can treat us the same way [as protesters] then that should showcase to the American people what’s going on up there,” Parker said.
(Article by Jeremiah Jones; From RT)
idealisticrebel 
Please look at the format of your post again. It’s weird, with the text superimposed over your images.
Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it and am trying to get it adjusted. Hugs, Barbara
Hey!
I love your blog (really, really, do!) but lately your formatting has been a bit weird! Today it’s worse than normal! I thought it was just me, but Cynthia said something, too, so I’m worried it’s a problem! It’s all on the right side for me!
Thanks I am trying to get it adjusted. I appreciate you letting me know. Hugs, Barbara
Morning Ms. Pesky. Have Ms. Amy take a look at your blog, it’s not loading correctly. In my browser the text and images are all off to the right side on top of your border.
Hi Pesky, Amy doesn’t have any idea how to fix it. Do you? Hugs, me
I co not, it’s gotta be a problem with Worstpress…they are always “fixing, upgrading shit.” I suggest you contact them in their forums.
oh are you sure? You have a good Christmas my dear friend. We will be celebrating Chanukah. This year they are at the same time. Hugs and kisses, Barbara and Amy
Love both of you, Ms. Pesky and Ms. Amy.
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
Thank you. Hugs, Barbara
Hey Ms. Barbara, how you doing?
I finished my Christmas shopping for the kids and grandkids tonight. Whew, I am glad that is over! How are you feeling pesky?
I am feeling very well, for the moment. So tell me, how much $$$ did you spend on gifts. total?
I don’t know. Each year it goes down. How is the exchange rate there?
I as a Native American I am ashamed today because I realize that we as a people have been telling everyone that would listen about what man the white man has been doing to our mother Earth with all the pollution the garbage the cutting down of the trees the sewage in our rivers and oceans and what do we do as a people in return we do exactly the same thing and that makes it hundred times worse I’m talking about all of the brothers and sisters of all the tribes that were out there on the front lines with standing Rock I watched in disbelief when I seen all of the disgusting garbage that was left in the camp when Indian sister was heard to say it was the white man’s fault no it wasn’t the white man it was us the caretakers of our land we left it that way and we are the ones that should be ashamed remember the next time you go to one of these protest remember what you’re protesting for and remember you are one of those caretakers so the next time you want to leave the place is dirty and nasty and disgusting is that last at standing Rock think before you do something that you’ll regret later just my thought from 1 California, Indian
I appreciate your coming to my blog and I am glad you left your comment. I understand that you are worried about your people being authentic. We are all responsible for the state of our plandt. Not just you and your people. We all must own our responsibility. I haven’t been a protester but I do believe in what you say. We are all guilty of not caring for Mother Earth. We are all guilty. Bless you for your thoughts and I hope your life is full of peace and contentment. Hugs my friend, Barbara