Orange County activists are hosting two events this week to help out indigenous protesters fighting wasichus building an oil pipeline in North Dakota. Violence broke out on Saturday, when Dakota Access private security guards attacked demonstrators with dogs and pepper spray when they attempted to halt bulldozers working on the construction site.
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe opposes the $3.8 billion multi-state pipeline, fearing it will destroy a sacred burial site and harm drinking water for tribal members. Indigenous activists scored a victory in court yesterday when a federal judge temporarily halted construction on part of the pipeline. A broader decision on the tribe's challenge of federal regulators granting permits to Dakota Access is expected Friday.
While tribal members wait, OC activists are putting a call out for supplies to help on the ground protesters in North Dakota. If folks have rope, mallets, batteries, tents, walkie talkies, sleeping bags, work gloves or anything else to help the cause, they are free to drop them off at Memorial Park in SanTana TODAY between 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
But that's not all that OC can do. A solidarity benefit is being held on Friday to collect funds for Standing Rock. The event will host native drummers and serve food. Activists are planning to Skype in from Standing Rock to inform people on the latest in the struggle. See you there!
Sacred Stone Tool Drive at Memorial Park, S. Flower St., and W. Anhurst Place, Santa Ana, Today, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Standing Rock Solidarity Benefit, 506 S. Halladay St., Santa Ana, Fri., 7 p.m – 10 p.m. All ages.
Gabriel San Román is from Anacrime. He’s a journalist, subversive historian and the tallest Mexican in OC. He also once stood falsely accused of writing articles on Turkish politics in exchange for free food from DönerG’s!