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Law Enforcement Uses Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets, Water Cannons On DAPL Protesters

Dakota Access Pipeline protesters backed off from another potential confrontation with law enforcement Monday afternoon. The two sides had already clashed late Sunday night into early this morning, reportedly leaving several people injured.

"It’s getting real over here once again," says David Yelloweyes of Lame Deer, MT.

Yelloweyes posted a video to his Facebook page detailing the skirmish between protesters and North Dakota authorities in below-freezing weather:

"They had a hose and they watered all of us down. It was something like 13-degrees, freezing cold. I had my snow gear on, my snow pants and it kept me mostly dry. But by the time I’d walked 100 feet, my pants were frozen," Yelloweyes says.

The protesters say the pipeline is desecrating ancient tribal sites and threatens water supplies.

Police say Sunday’s violence was triggered after hundreds of protesters tried to cross what they say is an unsafe bridge.

Law enforcement used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons against protesters. The officers said protesters were using rocks and burning logs as weapons.

Edward O’Brien first landed at Montana Public Radio three decades ago as a news intern while attending the UM School of Journalism. He covers a wide range of stories from around the state.
edward.obrien@umt.edu.  
(406) 243-4065
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