Help Water Protectors Being Attacked for protesting Line 3

Police officers detain a demonstrator as people protest the Line 3 pipeline by occupying an Enbridge pump station construction site in Hubbard County, June 7, 2021.  REUTERS/Nicholas Pfosi

Over the weekend, 20 water protectors were brutally arrested in Northern Minnesota for peacefully resisting the Line 3 tar sands pipeline.

Here’s a glimpse of the scene from Tara Houska, water protector and founder of the Giniw Collective:

“The level of brutality that was unleashed on us was very extreme. People were shot in their faces, in their bodies, in their upper torsos. It was a really, really brutal scene.

We were outnumbered by police at least two to one. We were under smoky skies and a red sun due to the wildfires that are raging in Ontario, just north of us and west of us, and next to a drought-stricken river.”

We must stand in solidarity with those on the frontlines and continue to put pressure on President Biden to stop this pipeline. Will you help?

Here are three actions you can take right now to call on President Biden to #StopLine3:

1. Contact the White House: Fill in your contact information and write a message in your own words here about why you want Biden to stop Line 3.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Sample: "Please stop the Line 3 tar sands pipeline. Like Keystone XL, the Line 3 tar sands pipeline is a threat to our climate and water and violates Native American treaty rights. Please take action to stop the construction and invest in clean energy instead."

2. Share on Social Media: We need to spread the word and show President Biden that Americans across the country are watching. Send a message to Biden on Twitter here, or share this post on Facebook here.

3. Join one of the resistance camps: We know it’s a big ask, but it is a huge privilege for Indigenous leaders to extend this invitation and offer an opportunity for supporters like you to learn directly from frontline leaders. All participants must adhere to the camp’s safety protocols, including COVID-19 guidelines. Learn more and sign up here.

Just last week, a spill was reported on the Mississippi River. Meanwhile, more than 75% of Minnesota is in severe or extreme drought and wildfires are causing the worst air quality in Minnesota history.

The climate crisis is here – in Minnesota and across the country – and we have a moral obligation to stop all fossil fuels now. 

President Biden declared climate change the “number one issue facing humanity” and vowed a national transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. And yet he has allowed Line 3 to continue even though he has the authority to pull the federal permits now.

Please, take one of the actions above and together we can put as much pressure on Biden as possible.

More Information:

Water Protectors Shot with “Less Lethal” Police Munitions at Line 3 Pipeline Protests - Aug. 3, 2021

We must stop HR 1374, a newly proposed federal law which could crush First Amendment rights nationwide.

Law Enforcement Can Now Kill Water Protectors. Date: 07/28/2021

Seven Water Protectors Protesting Line 3 Pipeline Arrested at the Shell River - July 19, 2021

Pics of June protest here. 

Sign the petition: Stop Trump from militarizing Arizona police

Phoenix rally proves if Police have military surplus, they will use it - on innocent protesters

Read my letter to the Phoenix police chief here. 

Tell Congress:“Pass the Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act and block Donald Trump’s attempt to militarize local police.” Add your name:

Pres. Donald Trump is going to give state and local police military-grade weapons of war.1 The Defense Department’s 1033 program transfers surplus military equipment to police. It has given billions of dollars' worth of tanks, grenade launchers and other weapons to local law enforcement agencies – including more than 93,000 machine guns.2 In 2014, police in combat gear driving mine-resistant tanks violently confronted people protesting the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. The national outrage and organizing, including from more than 100,000 CREDO members, helped force President Obama to dramatically scale back the 1033 program. Recently, police in St. Louis in full riot gear were chanting “whose streets, our streets” as they violently confronted people protesting yet another not guilty verdict for another police killing of a Black man.3 But Trump, whose racist, xenophobic agenda depends on demonizing communities of color and unleashing law enforcement, wants to bring 1033 back in full force. Fortunately, there is a bill that would stop Trump’s dangerous escalation and help keep weapons of war out of our communities, the Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act. The more of us who speak out, the more pressure on Congress to act. Tell Congress: Pass the Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act and block Donald Trump’s attempt to militarize local police. Click here to sign the petition. Police militarization contributes to the over-policing of communities of color and the erosion of trust between communities and police. When police departments are armed with military-grade weapons and trained to use military tactics, they are more likely to treat the people they are meant to serve as enemy combatants.4 In many communities, fully militarized SWAT teams routinely issue search warrants, terrorizing people in their homes and neighborhoods.5 Police militarization also undermines people’s right to peacefully and safely protest. The hyper-militarized and clearly disproportionate police response to largely peaceful protesters in Ferguson is far from the only example. In the summer of 2016, Baton Rouge, Louisiana police responded to peaceful protests of Alton Sterling’s murder as if they were going to war.6 Last fall in North Dakota, police in riot gear confronted peaceful Standing Rock protesters with armored vehicles, automatic rifles, sonic weapons, concussion grenades, pepper spray and beanbag bullets.7 Surveillance devices like the Stingray, which can secretly download cell data and disrupt cell service, are also part of the 1033 program.8 It is no surprise that Trump, who condoned white supremacist Nazi violence against peaceful protesters last month in Charlottesville, wants to further weaponize police, terrorize communities of color and stifle peaceful dissent to his hateful regime. That is why it is more important than ever to pass the Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act now. The bill would shut down the direct pipeline between the Defense Department and police, ban the transfer of a long list of military equipment, require extensive documentation and reporting, and prohibit the militarization of departments under investigation for civil rights violations.9 Donald Trump’s extreme agenda has already emboldened law enforcement agents across the country, at the local, state and federal level. Making sure that his administration cannot arm police with weapons of war is a powerful way to fight back. Can you add your name today? Tell Congress to pass the Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act and block Donald Trump’s attempt to militarize local police. Click the link below to sign the petition: https://act.credoaction.com/sign/No_Police_Militarization?t=7&akid=25150%2E3130208%2E2_cMRu - Heidi Hess, Senior Campaign Manager CREDO Action from Working Assets Add your name: References: Tom Jackman, "Trump to restore program sending surplus military weapons, equipment to police," The Washington Post, Aug. 27, 2017. Matt Apuzzo, "War Gear Flows to Police Departments," The New York Times, June 8, 2014. Nicole D. Nelson, "When Will Black Lives Matter in St. Louis?" The New York Times, Sept. 20, 2017. ACLU Foundation, "War Comes Home: The Excessive Militarization of American Policing," June 2014. ibid. Tess Owen, "Baton Rouge cops dressed for war to confront protesters," Vice News, July 11, 2016. "Standing Rock Special: Dallas Goldtooth on Police Violence & Repression of Movement Against DAPL," Democracy Now, Nov. 24, 2016. Jeremy Scahill and Margot Williams, "Stingrays: A Secret Catalogue of Government Gear for Spying on Your Cellphone," The Intercept, Dec. 17, 2015. "H.R.1556 - Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act"

Dear Chief of Police....

I am becoming more and more concerned with the militarization of our police forces. I watched horrified as police in N. Dakota shot tear gas and water cannons at the peaceful Water Protectors who bravely stood up against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Isn't it against the law to use chemical warfare on civilians? Aren't police supposed to protect citizens, not greedy oil corporations? Some vets were so outraged that they headed to Standing Rock to make a human shield to defend the Water Protectors.

After several peaceful marches in Tucson, some activists and concerned citizens went to protest when President Trump held a campaign-style rally in Phoenix. Some, expecting a peaceful demonstration, brought their children. The next day, I watched a video of  Phoenix police, in full riot gear, shooting tear gas and rubber bullets into a relatively small crowd of chanting protesters after the Trump rally ended. This was definitely overreach by the police. Just because you have military surplus weapons at your disposal doesn't mean you should use them - especially on the people you are sworn to protect.  

Now our president has reversed the restrictions on military hardware for police. My fear is that if the police have the weapons they will feel compelled to use them - like they did at the Phoenix protest. So Dan and I decided to write the Phoenix and Tucson Chiefs of Police and ask them not to accept any more military surplus. 

Do we want a police state?

Here are our letters that we mailed this morning: 

Phoenix protest 

Dear Chief Williams,

I am writing regarding the Phoenix Police Department’s response to the anti-Trump protestors after the rally on August 22, 2017. I have several friends who drove to Phoenix to protest. Some were human rights activists, some were just good citizens. There were even some parents with children. Yes, children. Because they expected a peaceful protest like we had in Tucson. I am concerned about how the police handled the situation after the rally. This video shows what appears to be a serious overreaction by the police. https://www.facebook.com/RealNewsAz/videos/1987765628123220/

It appears that the officers on the line were being provocative with their full riot gear on and then they charged through the barriers and started firing tear gas at a small number of peaceful protestors who were doing nothing more than chanting slogans. Since when is it acceptable to use chemical weapons on civilians? Isn’t that illegal even in wartime? Is it your objective to promote martial law? Even if some of the protestors were yelling at the police that is no reason to escalate the situation. Your officers need training on how to deal with angry protestors and separate any anarchists from the crowd so things don’t escalate to a point where the destruction of property occurs. Actually listening to the citizens or talking it out can go a long way. But there is no chance for listening when cops shield themselves with helmets, face shields, gas masks, and ear plugs.

Why were peaceful protestors met with a line of police in riot gear in the first place? Can’t you see that the presence of heavily armed police could promote fear and anger that might incite a riot? Militarizing the police is not the way to deal with citizens expressing their right to free speech. It is the duty of the police to protect the people. In this time of civil unrest, it is more important than ever that the police build trust with the people they serve, not treat them like criminals or the enemy. In Tucson, we had a peaceful march and the police were there to protect us from angry haters. The police officers stood on the sides and we thanked them as we walked by. Police will be able to serve better, if they build trust by getting to know people – not through fear and intimidation. Building good relationships will encourage people to work with the police and report crimes in their neighborhoods, making our communities safer for everyone.

Now Trump has reversed the restrictions on military hardware for police. Please, don’t militarize our police. It will only encourage more violence and vandalism on the streets. The police are there to protect us, not to incite peaceful protestors into war.

Sincerely,
Jana Segal

Tucson march

Dear Chief Magnus,

I wanted to thank you and the Tucson Police Department for your professionalism and restraint. I have participated in a number of protest rallies since the election of President Trump. The crowds were large and, in some cases, angry; but it felt as though your officers were there to protect us from harm. They quietly kept the crowd under control, managed traffic, and were courteous and professional.

What a contrast to what we witnessed in Phoenix! There, the officers appeared to provoke a small group of noisy but peaceful protestors by showing up in full riot gear, forming a skirmish line, and aggressively advancing on the protestors, who were still behind the barricades the police had erected to keep them away from the Convention Center. When the protestors raised their voices in protest, they started firing tear gas. That is no way to deal with citizens. Again, the contrast with the professionalism of TPD is like night and day.

I recently saw news reports that President Trump has authorized the sale of additional military arms to police departments, including grenade launchers and bayonets. When, exactly, would a police force ever need to use either one of those?!!! I presume we can count on you to maintain your professionalism and not purchase any of these weapons, even if they are being offered to you by the Federal Government.

Thank you for your service protecting the citizens of Tucson.

Daniel P Stormont

Here are their addresses if you would like to write your own letter. 

Chief Williams

Phoenix Police Department

620 W Washington St

Phoenix, AZ 85003

Chief Magnus

Tucson Police Department

270 S Stone Ave. 

Tucson, AZ 85701-1917