On Feb. 1, 2017, law enforcement officers in southern Morton County, North Dakota, arrested around 76 members of a rogue protest group after they refused to vacate an illegal camp on private property. https://ndresponse.gov/2016/dakota-access-pipeline/press-releases/february-2017/rogue-protesters-arrested-illegal-camp
The camp was established despite repeated warnings from local authorities, setting the stage for a tense standoff that saw several arrests and ultimately the clearing of the camp.
Video of the eviction and arrests shows law enforcement scuffling with the trespassing protestors as well as clean up efforts afterward.
The 76 arrests on February 1 brought the total number of arrests related to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) protests, which began in August 2016, to 696.
The protesters involved in the Feb. 1 incident had set up the illegal camp in direct defiance of both the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and local authorities.
Despite previous agreements between the Morton County Sheriff’s Department, the tribe and camp leaders to clean up and vacate protest sites ahead of the spring flood season, the rogue faction refused to comply.
Law enforcement, led by Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier, had made multiple attempts to engage the protestors, warning them of their criminal trespass on private land and urging them to dismantle the camp. However, as the deadline passed, the group remained entrenched, citing their determination to continue protesting.
Officers from the Morton County Sheriff’s Department met twice with members of the rogue camp, including well-known protest leader Chase Iron Eyes, to explain the legal consequences of their actions and the need to vacate the site.
When the group refused to leave, law enforcement decided to take action.
At around 3:30 p.m., a sizable crowd of protesters attempted to block officers from accessing the camp, resulting in additional arrests. By 4 p.m., the camp was cleared, and the arrested individuals were transported to various jails across the region, including Morton County, Mercer County, Cass County and Stutsman County.
The Morton County Sheriff’s office noted law enforcement demonstrated restraint during the operation, despite verbal abuse and resistance from the protesters. Officers did not resort to the use of less-than-lethal munitions, prioritizing safety and public order.
This careful approach was a central point of emphasis by Kirchmeier, who expressed that, despite the challenges posed by the rogue group, the overarching goal was to continue working with tribal leaders to ensure a peaceful resolution. At the time, Kirchmeier’s office was still focused on clearing the main camps before the impending flood season and mitigating any further confrontations.
Doug Burgum, who was governor at the time, also stressed the importance of maintaining public safety and finding common ground between the conflicting sides.
“In spite of the actions of this rogue group, we will strive to continue efforts on both sides to move forward and find common ground as steps are taken to ensure public safety and begin healing the relationships that are so important to the region and our state,” Burgum said in a Feb. 1, 2017 statement.
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