BISMARCK, ND (AP) – A violent clash between protesters from the Dakota Access Pipeline and law enforcement agencies four years ago is still under investigation. A protester was arrested for disobeying the court after refusing to give statements to the grand jury, his lawyers said.
In the November 2016 clash in which 21-year-old Sophia Wilansky from New York was seriously injured, no one was charged. She has sued police officers and Morton County, claiming the police deliberately attacked her with a concussion grenade. Officers have denied wrongdoing.
According to his lawyers, federal authorities arrested protester Steve Martinez on February 3 for disobeying the court. His detention was linked to Wilansky’s lawsuit and attempts by the government to blame protesters, the Bismarck Tribune reported. U.S. Assistant Attorney Gary Delorme did not respond to a request from the Bismarck Tribune for comment.
In 2016 and 2017, Native American tribes and environmentalists tried unsuccessfully to stop construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline under the Missouri River, fearing an oil leak would contaminate the water. Pipeline operator Energy Transfer and federal officials who approved the $ 3.8 billion line believe it is safe. The pipeline has been moving Bakken oil since June 2017.
Comments are closed.