Clergy for Standing Rock
10,000 signatures reached
To: PRESIDENT OBAMA
Dear Pres. Obama: Will You Honor Your Commitment To Protect The People Of Standing Rock?
We ask you to honor the commitment you made to the Indigenous people of this country by calling on the Army Corps to deny the permit for the Dakota Access Pipeline, and demanding the Dept. of Justice investigate both the Morton County Sheriff Department’s conduct, and how North Dakota was able to remove peaceful protestors as a "State of Emergency" under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
Why is this important?
On October 25th the Episcopal Priest Rev. John Floberg of Standing Rock issued an urgent call to Faith Leaders and people of faith and conscience around the nation to stand with the Water Protectors at Standing Rock. Hundreds of faith leaders have responded to this call by going to Standing Rock, and by calling on their communities to take action to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Clergy and Faith Leaders acknowledge the role we and our institutions have played in past and ongoing oppression of Indigenous people. It is of the utmost importance that as a country we acknowledge and affirm Native People’s sovereignty and right to prosper and stand in solidarity to stop the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
We ask that all people across the nation sign on to this letter in support of the demands outlined by Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Dave Archambault, and Rev. John Floberg, supervising Priest of the Episcopal Church in North Dakota.
First, we call on the Army Corps to deny the permit for the Dakota Access Pipeline which violates the 1851 Fort Laramie Treaty, would endanger the drinking water of 10 million people, and is a risk to our climate. Energy Transfer Partners has ignored formal requests to voluntarily “stop work.” It’s time to revoke their permit.
Second, we call on the Federal Department of Justice to investigate the Morton County Sheriff Department’s conduct on the Standing Rock Reservation, including:
-Inhibiting free speech
-Wrongful arrest
-Excessive violence in removing the Water Protectors
-Harassment of Native Americans, including blocking free travel between Bismarck and Standing Rock Reservation and stopping people without cause
Third, we call on the Department of Justice to conduct an investigation into how North Dakota engaged the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. What enabled them to remove peaceful protesters as a “State of Emergency”? How can the EMAC process be restructured to prevent this use of EMAC?
Fourth, President Obama, we call on you to fulfill your commitment to protect the children of Standing Rock. As you said in a 2014 visit to Cannon Ball, ND:
“I understand that the Lakota word for “children” -- “wakanyeja” -- comes from the word “wakan” -- “sacred.” That’s what young people are -- they’re sacred. They’re sacred to your families and they’re sacred to your tribe, and they’re sacred to this nation. And every day that I have the honor of serving as your President, I will do everything I can to make sure that you see that our country has a place for everyone, including every single young person here -- and all across the Dakotas and all across America, and that you’re getting the support and encouragement you need to go as far as your hard work and your talent will take you. That is my commitment to you -- to every single young person here.”
We implore you to honor the commitment you made to the Indigenous people of this country, and to act with honor and justice and defend all we hold sacred: our children, water, and the health of all communities.
Clergy and Faith Leaders acknowledge the role we and our institutions have played in past and ongoing oppression of Indigenous people. It is of the utmost importance that as a country we acknowledge and affirm Native People’s sovereignty and right to prosper and stand in solidarity to stop the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
We ask that all people across the nation sign on to this letter in support of the demands outlined by Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Dave Archambault, and Rev. John Floberg, supervising Priest of the Episcopal Church in North Dakota.
First, we call on the Army Corps to deny the permit for the Dakota Access Pipeline which violates the 1851 Fort Laramie Treaty, would endanger the drinking water of 10 million people, and is a risk to our climate. Energy Transfer Partners has ignored formal requests to voluntarily “stop work.” It’s time to revoke their permit.
Second, we call on the Federal Department of Justice to investigate the Morton County Sheriff Department’s conduct on the Standing Rock Reservation, including:
-Inhibiting free speech
-Wrongful arrest
-Excessive violence in removing the Water Protectors
-Harassment of Native Americans, including blocking free travel between Bismarck and Standing Rock Reservation and stopping people without cause
Third, we call on the Department of Justice to conduct an investigation into how North Dakota engaged the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. What enabled them to remove peaceful protesters as a “State of Emergency”? How can the EMAC process be restructured to prevent this use of EMAC?
Fourth, President Obama, we call on you to fulfill your commitment to protect the children of Standing Rock. As you said in a 2014 visit to Cannon Ball, ND:
“I understand that the Lakota word for “children” -- “wakanyeja” -- comes from the word “wakan” -- “sacred.” That’s what young people are -- they’re sacred. They’re sacred to your families and they’re sacred to your tribe, and they’re sacred to this nation. And every day that I have the honor of serving as your President, I will do everything I can to make sure that you see that our country has a place for everyone, including every single young person here -- and all across the Dakotas and all across America, and that you’re getting the support and encouragement you need to go as far as your hard work and your talent will take you. That is my commitment to you -- to every single young person here.”
We implore you to honor the commitment you made to the Indigenous people of this country, and to act with honor and justice and defend all we hold sacred: our children, water, and the health of all communities.