February 23, 2017
Contrary to most media coverage, clean-up has been well underway for quite some time at Oceti Sakowin. Over the past year, thousands of people from around the world came to Standing Rock to stand in solidarity to protect water and hold the Army Corps of Engineers accountable to the permitting process. As the movement rapidly evolved, state and local officials reacted by creating an over militarized state to minimize peoples concerns for clean water and protection from corporate interest. The population of the resistance camp grew larger than many towns in North Dakota. This year’s historically harsh winter pressured many water protectors to leave the camp in a quick manner. Water protectors were notified by the Army Corps of Engineers on February 3rd it would close the Oceti Sakowin camp on February 22nd. A diligent clean-up effort by a a variety of individuals and organizations has not been recognized by local media outlets. DRC members produced a video to share the untold story of the clean-up at Standing Rock.
[youtube id=”7x6Kw41dqrs” width=”620″ height=”360″]