Lessons from North Dakota

Months of protests carried over seasons and a mini-city grew up around the site protected by the Sioux.  In the spirit of human rights advocacy, hundreds of veterans traveled to North Dakota to reinforce and support the protestors.  Lawyers organized in anticipation of arrests.  Violence erupted marking at least one with severe injuries.  

Then the Army Corp of Engineers announced it would explore alternate routes for the planned pipeline, but compromise does not appear to interest the pipeline producers.   Peace – temporary peace.

The lessons from this most recent Native attempt to save the earth are likely to be far reaching.  After generations of broken treaties and other government deceptions, the Sioux are aware that the next administration may default to the original pipeline route.  The Sioux reminded us of the power of civil protest.  What happens when the new administration is in place will be instructive on both tactics to be employed by the new government and its response to civil disruptive actions.