“From the state of North Dakota standpoint, February 22nd might have been a fine date a month ago, but it’s not a good day today in practicality with the people that are there,” said Republican Gov. Doug Burgum, according to ABC News.
According to KDVR.com, the Governor’s office said: “Warm temperatures have accelerated snowmelt in the area of the Oceti Sakowin protest camp, and the National Weather Service reports that the Cannonball River should be on the watch for rising water levels and an increased risk of ice jams later this week. Due to these conditions, the governor’s emergency order addresses safety concerns to human life as anyone in the floodplain is at risk for possible injury or death.
“The order also addresses the need to protect the Missouri River from the five or six month’s worth of human waste that will flow into the Cannonball River and Lake Oahe if the camp is not cleared and the cleanup expedited.”
It seems the governor and the Army Corps of Engineers are fixated on the clean up of the protest camp, even though the trash has been cleaned up by members of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. The governor’s office cited the possibility of waste flowing into the Cannonball River and Lake Oahe if the camp is not cleaned up forthwith.
Basically, the Feb. 22 evacuation date is set so that federal contractors can come in and expedite the cleanup. Capt. Ryan Hignight with the US Army Corps of Engineers said they would be escorting the contractor to the camp to survey and estimate the amount of time needed for the cleanup, and no, they will not be escorted by law enforcement because it is not needed.
In related news, the Standing Rock Sioux tribe are calling on the native nations of the United States and allies all over the world to stand with them in a march on Washington D.C. on March 10, 2017. The march will start from the Mall to the White House beginning at 10 a.m. After the march, everyone will gather for a rally at the Ellipse. It is here we will make our demands to the new administration.
Those who are unable to come to Washington D.C. are asked to plan marches in the cities and countries where they live. The march is being organized by the Native Nations Rise Planning Committee.
