Editor's note: This story has been updated with more details about the deployment.
National Park Service law enforcement rangers are being called to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota, where protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline have been given until February 22 to leave the area. After that deadline, police are expected to forcibly remove them.
Park Service officials in Washington, D.C., would not confirm the call-up, with chief spokesman Thomas Crosson telling the Traveler on Wednesday afternoon that, "I have nothing to provide at this time."
Three different sources within the agency, speaking on the condition that they not be identified as they were not authorized to discuss the call-up, confirmed the deployment to the Traveler. A deployment order obtained by the Traveler notes that the rangers are set to arrive in North Dakota on Sunday, February 19, and depart on March 6. They will assist the Department of the Interior "in a humanitarian effort to maintain public safety, protection of property, peace and order as it relates to encampments located on Reservation land," the order states. It says personnel should bring available riot gear, including gas masks, as well as "night vision, thermal scopes, and any other useful items."
One source, however, said the rangers were to help clear the protesters out of camps along the Missouri River.
Chase Ironeyes of the Lakota People's Law Project could not immediately be reached for comment, though his staff said Traveler's request had been forwarded to him.
Exactly how many protesters remain at Standing Rock is hard to say, though it's thought to be considerably less than the thousands that once headed there to protest the pipeline.
President Trump earlier this year signed an executive order to restart construction of the pipeline, which tribes oppose.
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Spot on!
Can I share this?
yes a misuse of the people equipment and money Park service is supposed to protect the park from industry
The last place I'll tell any of my friends to visit is a National Park after seeing your people harrassing friendly praying people at Standing rock.It looked like the brown and Black Shirts under Adolph Hitler had descended on people who just wanted to protect the Misspuri river.it was disgusting to have to go thru a road block with Nat.Park People there.You will some day feel deeply ashamed when that pipeline ruptures.In the last 2 years 292 alone have had breaks in N.D. I am a Vet and you are a disgrace to all men and women who have fought and died for America.you must surely have sold your self respect to Trump and the oil interest.Lets just allow Fracking in Yellowstone,wouldn't that please trump and your boss who's got a lot of oil money in their campaigns.
ing in Yellowstone.
Baloney. The vast majority of those 292 weren't breaks but rather minor spills, most typically at pipeline facilities (not on route) and most never left the pipelines property much less contaminated any water. I will challange you as I have others what pipeline break has ever led to the permanant ruin of a public water source?
" friendly praying people". People with no respect for the law or the land apparently given how they left things.
Ken Allaman... you caught the attention of a couple of the local trogolodytes. Ignore them; everyone does.