By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.
November 1, 2016
Mandan, N. Dakota - On Monday, the Morton County Sheriff's Office reported that Red Fawn Fallis, 37, has been charged with one felony count for attempted murder of a law enforcement officer for discharging a .38 Cal. handgun at arresting officers on October 27. Morton County Sheriff deputies and assisting law enforcement officers launched an eviction assault against Native Americans and allies (water protectors-WP) at Highway 1806 where they had setup camp to block the illegal Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier claims that the WP were trespassing on private land, but the WP say it is tribal land under the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie.
DAPL had bought the land to construct the unpopular crude oil pipeline, but the purchase is in question because the land under N.D. state can only be used for a business and family farming, which excludes an oil pipeline.
Also, the Army Corp of Engineers has not granted an easement for DAPL to construct a pipeline in that portion of the land, which is near the Missouri River.
During a police assault to remove WP from the land, police siting from seven states used maced, rubber bullets, a sound cannon and concussion grenades, which injured about 40 WPs. Two teen riders were among the injured by rubber bullets while on horse back, one of them was arrested, one horse was injured by a projectile fired by police and another horse had to be killed after it sustained serious injuries.
At least 141 WPs were arrested including Fallis. According to N. Dakota State Patrol Captain Bryan Niewind, while Fallis was being taken into custody during the police assault, she managed to pull a .38 handgun and fired three shots missing officers at the scene. Captain Niewind didn't say, if Fallis had a conceal carry license.
WPs and tribal leaders dispute the allegations made by Captain Niewind and Sheriff Kirchmeier who have been making untrue allegations and have been caught doing so.
Morton County Sheriff deputies and assisting police have been accused of numerous illegal acts such as warrantless seizures of property, illegal stops and road blocks and frivolous charging of WPs including journalists with rioting.
So far, 750 oil spills have occurred in N. Dakota, since 2012 including 300 within a two year period and only one has been reported to the public, the AP reported. It took 11 days for state officials and oil companies involved in the oil spills to release the information to AP.
Tribal leaders alleged that state officials, the governor, some state legislators and Sheriff Kirchmeier are so corrupt who have enaged in discriminatory practices against Native Americans and support DAPL oil interests.
Since last Thursday's police assault on WPs, millions of Americans have stepped forward in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe who are challenging the illegal DAPL pipeline construction on tribal land, the desecration of burial markers/sites and the proposed pipeline under the Missouri River for fear of anew anticipated major oil spill that would effect over 17M people along the river.
The Red Owl Legal Collective reported on Monday, that they were at the Morton County Court house providing court support to water protectors on bond hearings and preliminary hearings. In the Mason Red Wing's case, the judge did not find probable cause for the felony terrorizing of a police officer charge, but did advance the felony reckless endangerment charge.
For the Wanikiyewin Wi Loud Hawk's case, the judge did not find probable cause for the felony reckless endangerment charge and reduced it to a misdemeanor.
For the Wanikiyewin Wi Loud Hawk's case, the judge did not find probable cause for the felony reckless endangerment charge and reduced it to a misdemeanor.
No comments:
Post a Comment