By Michelle Carr

Water is Life. Such a simple statement, but one that holds so much meaning. Without water, we and all other living things wouldn’t survive. It’s a simple concept really, WATER IS ESSENTIAL. Do you realize how much fresh drinkable water there is on this planet? You may be completely surprised at the answer. There isn’t as much as you are probably thinking. And to endanger any of that supply, especially for reasons that equate to lining someone’s pocket with green (And I don’t mean plants) is preposterous! If you think it’s safe to work oil near, through or around clean water all you have to do is look at the mess the oil companies left in the Amazon to know this isn’t possible.

We must do better as a human race. We must protect our lands, our water, our planet and in turn our very lives. When we see such things as the Dakota Pipeline proposed and being put into action we must do everything we can to say “No! You must stop this!” Lives are not something you play with, and it is indeed lives that they are putting at risk.

Somethings you may not know about this pipeline. This pipeline will cross four states and will connect Bakken, North Dakota and Patoka, Illinois. It will transport on average 470,000 barrels of light sweet crude oil per day but will have the ability to transport as much as 570,000 barrels (a day). All of which is set to pass through the Missouri River twice as it travels through North Dakota. This river is the primary source of drinking water for the Standing Rock Nation. The plan is to use horizontal directional drilling that will place pipeline under the river. But sense when has anyone been able to control exactly where spillage will run to once it happens? And how well or quickly are they planning to clean this mess up when it does? Because it will happen. Do the companies, who stand to profit from all of this, plan on taking care of all of those affected once the oil seeps into their water? Or ruins their land? Leaving both unusable. What happens then?

The pipeline will also travel through Sacred Indian sites. While protecting one such site, the peaceful protesters stepped into the path of the workers and refused to move. The construction company had hired security at that point. Security, who then released attack dogs into the crowd of men, women and children. Allowing the dogs to bite the people who merely stood in the way and raised their voices to say “No!” They also maced the protestors to push the line back. But denied all actions of doing so when confronted about it. Denied, even when they stood there holding the collar of their dog whose mouth was coated in blood in one hand and the mace spray in the other. This we can all witness since reporter Amy Goodman risked her own freedom to get the story of what happened this past Labor Day weekend.

I, myself, live slightly more than 230 miles away from where the pipeline will end. I know this will impact my family’s life without even living right next to it. The effect this pipeline will have on our environment will be catastrophic. And it will lead us backwards from all the efforts that we have been making towards changing climate change. I have joined in this fight. This peaceful protest. For the tribes themselves, have stated that any violent actions done to stop this pipeline are not welcome in their protest. In the two peaceful rallies I participated in, I was completely moved by the support that showed up and was given to us by those passing by. I know that there are many more people who feel this is an injustice just as we do! We must join together and demand a formal Environmental Impact Statement be done. We must let them know this pipeline has to be stopped before it’s too late to undo its damage.

Please join me today, the Day of Action in solidarity with Standing Rock. There are many actions you can take. You can find rallies near you and join in. You can sign the many petitions that are going around asking that this be stopped. You can contact your government officials let them know you how you feel. Request that they move for those they represent and work towards stopping this. You can write letters to editors of papers and magazines let them know your thoughts. People on the front lines can also use donations. The months are about to get colder and they are going to need supplies to help them continue to stand. Spreading the word is also so very important. Let people know what’s going on. I’ve encountered many myself who don’t. Use your social media, spread the word. Let everyone know and have a chance to decide what they feel is more important… WATER or oil. As the old Indian prophecy has come true of the Eagle and the Condor tribes uniting for this cause, we too must unite and show them they aren’t alone.

Links to join in action:

https://t.co/aXKl8uWBMd

https://t.co/BOIuyuaSsX

Site for Petiton:

https://t.co/VvXSwm5Mia

Source Sites:

http://www.daplpipelinefacts.com/

http://www.thedickinsonpress.com/content/stealth-bakken-pipeline-project-faces-fight-iowa