True Activist – by Amanda Froelich
Tensions continue to escalate in Cannon Ball, North Dakota, where protestors attempt to peacefully face off against riot police and the National Guard. In addition to being maced and beaten with batons, activists opposing the four-state Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) have been tased and even shot with rubber bullets.
As the recent incident (below) reveals, violence seems to only be escalating rather than ceasing. Though the UN has called on the U.S. government to halt all construction of the pipeline, its development continues. Desperate and on edge, activists at Standing Rock continue to put their lives on the line, unaware of what will come next – prepared to expect anything. Unfortunately, what recently occurred is a reminder of the danger people protesting corporate greed face.
During an interview with Cantapeta Creek, activist and journalist Erin Schrode was talking when out of nowhere, police shot her with a rubber bullet. She can be heard screaming, “Ow!” before crumbling to the ground.
In the Facebook post, Schrode wrote that while “militarized police” shot her at “point-blank range”, she was physically unhurt but shaken from the attack. In an interview with Fusion, she later relayed that she couldn’t fully comprehend what had happened but just remembered being in “excruciating pain.”
She said:
“I couldn’t fathom that I’d just been hit. Why would they target me? Why would they shoot anyone? There was absolutely nothing violent, aggressive, provocative going on at the protests yesterday.”
The day after the activist realized she’d caught the entire incident on camera, she quickly uploaded it to social media to share with the world.
I was shot by militarized police WHILE interviewing a man on camera at #StandingRock…and here's the footage. #NoDAPL https://t.co/FfWiSCbiKf pic.twitter.com/4DRwNPkfZ9
— Erin Schrode (@ErinSchrode) November 3, 2016
What’s happening in Standing Rock doesn’t just pertain to the indigenous in the area, it affects present and future generations. In addition to trying to protect the Missouri river, activists supporting the Standing Rock Sioux tribe are hoping to preserve sacred burial ground and send a message about the need to respect Native American treaties. Commenting on the scene at Standing Rock, Schrode says:
“I can’t believe what is happening here in Standing Rock. It’s a scene like I’ve never seen anywhere else in the world, and it’s right here at home.”
These men shot me at #StandingRock today. I pray for them– and for our peaceful, prayerful water protectors. #NoDAPL https://t.co/hUXigAF6u4 pic.twitter.com/5HI14dTEO8
— Erin Schrode (@ErinSchrode) November 3, 2016
You can bet that this activist isn’t leaving Standing Rock until justice is served. She’ll remain – like the majority of people who have set up camp on the edge of the reservation – until the pipeline is halted or all are physically forced off the land. If the latter occurs, expect deafening outcry from activists around the world.
Targeting a female journalist? Real brave, guys. Your mothers must be proud of you. (Actually, that may be the case, since your mothers are probably as stupid as their spawn.)
Typical pigs: wanna-be tough guys who try to prove their manhood by picking fights with people who can’t fight back. Hopefully someone who’s had enough of your cowardice shows up to that protest with the means and intention of teaching you bitches a lesson.
Miami Police Shot Protester (female lawyer), then laugh about it.
This is old news but relevant.
I remember that incident. I wonder where the “good cops” are in that video, because it looks to me like all of them were laughing about a brutal attack on a peaceful protester.
Well, years later I was the one laughing when the news reported that several Miami pigs got shot by some guy. Karma can be a real bitch.
“These men shot me at #StandingRock today. I pray for them– and for our peaceful, prayerful water protectors. #NoDAPL”
I don’t think praying for them is going to help much. Unless, of course, your praying to be shot again. If so, By all means, pray away.
They’ll lose unless they respond in kind…..police thinks it is fun….its like free live training for them……wake up ppl…..wake up!
Dang, watch out people, these cops are rabid as most are, and militarized to boot. Welcome to America.
Too bad this is turning into a coup at the very top, and people at the bottom are going to catch the brunt and bullets.
“… she later relayed that she couldn’t fully comprehend what had happened but just remembered being in “excruciating pain.”
She OBVIOUSLY thought the pigs were ‘only there to help’.
What the hell did she expect… kumbaya?