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Bethel Residents Show Solidarity With Their Brothers And Sisters At Standing Rock

Katie Basile
/
KYUK

Bethel was one of many places where there were rallies and vigils in support of members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe who are protesting the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota. The tribe fears that a leak from the pipeline could have devastating effects on their sacred lands and their water supply in North Dakota. There have been arrests and continuing efforts to remove the protesters, and satellite rallies have been held around the country in support.  

Credit Katie Basile / KYUK
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KYUK
Organizer Tim Andrew talks to KYUK reporter Charles Enoch about the motivation behind the Watson's Corner rally protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline on Saturday, November 5, 2016 in Bethel.

Alaska Natives and non-natives alike held a rally to support the Standing Rock protest on Saturday while cars passing by honked in support. Bethel resident Tim Andrews, who helped organize the rally at Watson's Corner in Bethel, says that one purpose of the rally was to show the importance of clean water for all life.

“Every bit of life, from insects to humans and animals. And that’s what we’re campaigning for: it’s for clean water, and also to stand with our Sioux brothers and sisters," said Andrew.

The other organizer of the rally, Diane McEachern who is also from Bethel, says this isn’t only to support the Dakota Access Pipeline protest, but also reflects local concerns.

“This is our first time kind of gathering together in a support rally for what’s happening down there, but I think there’s relationships to some of the mining operations that happened in Alaska and concerns about the environment and what destruction those can cause," said McEachern.

Organizers spread the word on social media and some volunteers made signs in preparation for the rally. One of the signs in the protest said "Oil and Gold Belongs in the Ground."

Credit Katie Basile / KYUK
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KYUK
Joann Andrew, Diane McEachern, and a fellow NODAPL supporter rally at Watson's Corner on Saturday, November 5, 2016.

Over the recent weeks, tensions have been boiling over at the Standing Rock protest with increased violence against protesters from law enforcement.

“Our brothers and sisters in North Dakota, they’re being shot with rubber bullets, and also with mace, and sound cannons and lights making it hard for them to sleep at night. They cut off the highway access to try to starve them but food is getting through, they’re doing their ceremonies, they’re doing their prayers," said Andrew.

And Andrew says the issue is drawing attention internationally:

“Water protection is being recognized worldwide. There’s Mongolians, there’s Maori from New Zealand that are recognizing that water is life. We need clean water. We also need to stand with our indigenous brothers and sisters as well," said Andrew.

Numbering in the dozens, the protesters held their rally from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. 

Credit Katie Basile / KYUK
/
KYUK
Protesters met at Watson's Corner to stand in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline on Saturday, November 5, 2016 in Bethel.

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