They sent this email blast yesterday afternoon:
We Are En Route to Standing Rock - Take Action With Us!
As I type this, I am riding in a truck loaded with heaters, a large military tent, and food headed to the main camp at Standing Rock. I am joining more than a dozen fellow members out there (with more on the way) who will take part in the week of action as we help winterize the camp, support our allies with Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, and bring our collective skills sets from the military to support the indigenous-led resistance.
Last week, we told you about the action six of our members took in NYC to kick off our efforts in solidarity with the water protectors at Standing Rock. We walked into the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) office and delivered a letter to Regional Deputy Director Larry Mazola, calling on the ACE to stand down and for an end to the Dakota Access Pipeline. As we talked to the ACE representative, we were surprised to hear him make it clear, on camera, that the resistance is winning:
“You've made yourself heard. The Corps of Engineers is re-looking at this. So just by your stand, we're going to go back and take a look and make sure we're doing the right things. And that is directly a result of what you guys are all doing.”
We knew that the U.S. military and ACE have a long history of undermining Indigenous sovereignty and outright robbing Native peoples of their land, and that this was a moment when we could show that veterans were not going to stand by idly and have it happen again. As NYC IVAW member Nicole Goodwin told Gothamist:
“It is especially important for veterans and service members to stand with Standing Rock because we have the responsibility to rectify the US military's history of occupation. We went to the Army Corps today to tell them to deny permits for DAPL, to tell them that we are watching their moves, and that the core values of this country are in danger unless they act."
Last night members of our Colorado chapter who are at Standing Rock went to the the Morton County Commission in Bismarck to represent our anger at the dangerous violence leveled at the water protectors on Sunday night, including water cannons and tear gas in freezing temperatures. After the commission meeting, IVAW Board Member and Unitarian Minister Shawna Foster asked the commission members to pray for water protector Sofia Wilansky who was grievously injured. We told them it was high past time for the resignation of Sheriff Kirchmeier who is leading a militarized police force against peaceful protectors.
Despite the media blackout and the state violence and surveillance wielded against water protectors, this fight is reaching a critical mass. We hope that as you spend time this holiday weekend that you also do what you can to take action in support of this critical work, whether that is to donate to the main camp Oceti Sakowin or to dial up the pressure on the local Sheriff Department. If you've got a moment, contact the Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier and let him know that water protectors have the right to participate in peaceful protest without being met by a militarized police force more interested in protecting corporate interests than the people of North Dakota:
Morton County Sheriff
Kyle Kirchmeier
205 1st Ave NW
Mandan, ND 58554
Phone: 701-667-3330
Email: kyle.kirchmeier@mortonnd.org
https://www.facebook.com/MortonCountySD/
Thanks for your support in these tough moments and for standing on the right side of a critical fight. Your action will make a difference in the work ahead.
In Solidarity,
Matt Howard
Co-Director
Iraq Veterans Against the War
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