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    Letter To AG Loretta Lynch RE Dakota Access 10-24-16

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    The Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe requests that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate potential civil rights violations by state and local law enforcement responding to protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Thousands have gathered peacefully to express opposition to the pipeline, which threatens tribal treaty rights and sacred sites. However, law enforcement has taken increasingly militarized and intimidating actions, including targeting Native American drivers, conducting invasive arrests and strip searches, and using surveillance aircraft. The Chairman is concerned that the militarized response could lead to tragedy and violate civil rights, and calls for a prompt investigation to prevent further escalation and protect free speech.

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    Letter To AG Loretta Lynch RE Dakota Access 10-24-16

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    inforumdocs
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    The Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe requests that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate potential civil rights violations by state and local law enforcement responding to protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Thousands have gathered peacefully to express opposition to the pipeline, which threatens tribal treaty rights and sacred sites. However, law enforcement has taken increasingly militarized and intimidating actions, including targeting Native American drivers, conducting invasive arrests and strip searches, and using surveillance aircraft. The Chairman is concerned that the militarized response could lead to tragedy and violate civil rights, and calls for a prompt investigation to prevent further escalation and protect free speech.

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    Letter to AG Loretta Lynch RE Dakota Access 10-24-16

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    Letter to AG Loretta Lynch RE Dakota Access 10-24-16

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    The Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe requests that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate potential civil rights violations by state and local law enforcement responding to protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Thousands have gathered peacefully to express opposition to the pipeline, which threatens tribal treaty rights and sacred sites. However, law enforcement has taken increasingly militarized and intimidating actions, including targeting Native American drivers, conducting invasive arrests and strip searches, and using surveillance aircraft. The Chairman is concerned that the militarized response could lead to tragedy and violate civil rights, and calls for a prompt investigation to prevent further escalation and protect free speech.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    241 views3 pages

    Letter To AG Loretta Lynch RE Dakota Access 10-24-16

    Uploaded by

    inforumdocs
    The Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe requests that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate potential civil rights violations by state and local law enforcement responding to protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Thousands have gathered peacefully to express opposition to the pipeline, which threatens tribal treaty rights and sacred sites. However, law enforcement has taken increasingly militarized and intimidating actions, including targeting Native American drivers, conducting invasive arrests and strip searches, and using surveillance aircraft. The Chairman is concerned that the militarized response could lead to tragedy and violate civil rights, and calls for a prompt investigation to prevent further escalation and protect free speech.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 3

    Dave Archambault, II

    Chairman

    TRIBAL COUNCIL
    (AT LARGE)

    Cody Two Bears


    Cannonball District

    Paul Archambault

    Joe Dunn
    Long Solider District

    Mike Faith
    Chad Harrison

    Jesse McLaughlin

    Adele M. White

    Vice Chairman

    Secretary

    Duane Claymore
    Wakpala District
    Frank A. White Bull
    Kenel District

    Kory McLaughlin
    Charles Walker

    Joe White Mountain, Jr.


    Bear Soldier District

    Dana Yellow Fat

    October 24, 2016

    Caroline Thompson
    Rock Creek District
    Robert Taken Alive
    Little Eagle District
    Samuel B. Harrison
    Porcupine District

    The Honorable Loretta E. Lynch


    Attorney General
    U.S. Department of Justice
    950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
    Washington, D.C. 20530-0001
    Re:

    Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Request for investigation to protect civil rights

    Dear Attorney General Lynch:


    As you know, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has a strong interest in protecting our
    Treaty rights, our sacred sites and our waters, all of which are being jeopardized by the Dakota
    Access pipeline. Thousands of persons from around the country, and the world, have come to
    express their opposition to the pipeline in a peaceful way. But state and local law enforcement
    have increasingly taken steps to militarize their presence, to intimidate participants who are
    lawfully expressing their views, and to escalate tensions and promote fear. I am writing to call
    upon you to have the Justice Department investigate these matters promptly, to address civil
    rights violations by state and local law enforcement, and to protect the right to free speech and
    free exercise of religion which are so important to us all.
    From the beginning of this matter, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has stood strongly
    against the Dakota Access pipeline and strongly in favor of peaceful and prayerful means of
    expressing that opposition. The right of people to come together lawfully and be heard on this
    matter must be protected. This principle was echoed in September 9 Joint Statement of the
    Justice, Army and Interior Departments, which noted that In recent days, we have seen
    thousands of demonstrators come together peacefully, with support from scores of sovereign
    tribal governments, to exercise their First Amendment rights and to voice heartfelt concerns
    about the environment and historic, sacred sites. It is now incumbent on all of us to develop a

    BLDG. 1 NORTH STANDING ROCK AVE. P.O. BOX D FORT YATES, NORTH DAKOTA 58538
    PHONE: 701-854-7201 or 701-854-8500 FAX 701-854-7299
    150040-1

    Loretta E. Lynch, Attorney General


    October 24, 2016
    Page 2
    path forward that serves the broadest public interest. We all share an interest in the protection
    of the right of everyone to express their views on important issues of this kind.
    But as we seek the path forward, the exercise of First Amendment rights is being
    jeopardized by state and local law enforcement. We have seen local law enforcement fail to
    protect our people, as private security for Dakota Access used dogs and pepper spray to attack
    Indian people opposed to the pipeline. And local law enforcement allowed this to happen.
    We have seen police set up roadblocks and checkpoints on the public roads, making
    unwarranted stops to ask drivers where there are staying, why they are on the road and where
    they are going. These stops are clearly targeted at Indian people, and are designed to intimidate
    free speech.
    We have seen constant surveillance, with low flying planes and helicopters constantly
    overhead at the camps of the water protectors. These camps are an historic gathering
    representing hundreds of Tribes that have come together in unity and prayer, and the surveillance
    violates the participants right to privacy and right to assemble and pray together.
    We have seen local law enforcement use strong-arm tactics to make arrests of peaceful
    protestors as they prayed, and use invasive and unlawful strip searches of men and women who
    have been arrested for misdemeanors.
    We have seen law enforcement officials confiscate a drone without explanation, and
    shoot another drone out of the sky. Drones are being used by journalists to document events and
    ensure that the activities regarding this matter are properly documented. We have seen reporters,
    like Amy Goodman from Democracy Now, arrested and charged with participating in a riot
    simply for exercising her right to do her job as a journalist. While thankfully those charges
    against Ms. Goodman were ultimately dropped, that arrest is part of a larger effort by local law
    enforcement to intimidate the press and to prevent the full and fair reporting of the activities of
    law enforcement on this matter.
    Perhaps most significantly, we have seen the overall militarization of law enforcement
    response. The Governor called out the National Guard in September, and military vehicles are
    being used at roadblocks and checkpoints. Peaceful protests are being met with military vehicles
    and heavily armed law enforcement personnel in riot gear. Rather than seeking to keep the
    peace, law enforcement personnel are clearly working in tandem with private security of Dakota
    Access.
    To many people, the military tactics being used in North Dakota are reminiscent of the
    tactics used against protesters during the civil rights movement some 50 years ago. And I
    believe that there are similarities there. But to us, there is an additional collective memory that
    comes to mind. This country has a long and sad history of using military force against
    indigenous people including the Sioux Nation. I would like to think that those days are past
    and that today Tribal rights cannot be ignored and military force cannot be used to suppress
    Indian people. But when I see the militarization taking place in North Dakota against Indian
    people, I am genuinely concerned.

    150040-1

    Loretta E. Lynch, Attorney General


    October 24, 2016
    Page 3
    I am seeking an investigation by the Department of potential civil rights violations by
    state and local law enforcement now because I am concerned about the safety of the people. Too
    often these kinds of investigations take place only after some event regarding excessive force by
    the police has led to a well-publicized tragedy. I hope and pray that you will see the wisdom of
    acting now in an effort to prevent such a tragedy here.
    Thank you.
    Sincerely,

    Dave Archambault, II
    Enclosures
    cc: Sam Hirsch, Principal Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Dept of Justice,
    [email protected]
    Lawrence Roberts, Assistant Secretary Indian Affairs, Dept of Interior,
    [email protected]
    Hilary Tompkins, Solicitor, Dept of Interior, [email protected]

    150040-1

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