Race/Racism

Dec 1, 2016 was a global day of action against the Dakota Access Pipeline(DAPL). Here in DC, Climate First! showed up at four Citibank branches demanding they divest from the project. The fourth and final branch had already been visited earlier the same day by Greenpeace. Citibank organized the loan package that is funding construction of the DAPL.

Video from Climate First!'s four Dec 1 NoDAPL Citibank protests

On Black Friday, the 25th of November, water protectors in Baltimore locked down inside a Wells Fargo bank branch, forcing them to close down for the day. Six activists were arrested after being cut out of the lockdown, which defeated the first tools used to try and cut them out. O ne activist indigenous to Mexico had to be taken to the hospital after being injured by police.

video including preroll of Nov 20-21 police attack at Standing Rock, the Baltimore march into Wells Fargo, the failed police attempt to cut the locks, and fire department cutting activists out of the lockdown

On the 21st of November, activists demanding justice for Terrence Sterling once again gathered at 3rd and M sts NW where he was murdered by police. On Sep 11, 2016 a DC cop shot him off his motorcycle for "erratic driving." Due to the pressure put on Mayor Bowser by Black LIves Matter activists this case has been referred to a grand jury for "investigation." No prosecution will result unless the pressure continues, so activists are still gathering at 3rd and M each Monday night at 7PM.

Overnight Nov 21-21, the Morton County Sheriff's Department opened fire with water cannon in subfreezing temperatures, with tear gas, and with rubber bullets on water protectors who had set out to clear a highway barricade held by police since the assault on the Treaty Camp which had blocked the route of the Dakota Access Pipeline.Over 300 people were injured by this storm of "less lethal" weaponry unleased by police probably empowered by Donald Trump's election.

Update Nov 22: Water Protector faces possible amputation, Reported injury count rises to more than 300, water protector Sophia Wilansky faces second surgery in attempt to save her left arm. She was critically injured by a "concussion" grenade thrown or shot by police. These grenades do not throw shrapnel as frags do but they are still high explosive devices and can inflict blast injuries at close range same as any other explosive device.

Youtube video of water cannon assault-both ground and drone(aerial) footage