No Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) – A First-Hand Account

This came from a very good friend who retired from teaching in June & headed out to join the Native Americans & the Internationals, as well as many from the U.S. I am grateful to all those who are protecting our land & water.  – Sherrie Miranda

A hero I am not. Two days prior to the Oct. 27th arrest, I sent an email to Susana and Brian, having come to accepting my decision not to get arrested here in protecting the water at Standing Rock. Well, one or two days later, on Thursday, heading to Bismark where I had an appointment with a doctor to look at a late flair up of painful sciatic inflammation and found myself blocked on the road, I decided to stay put — not quite a willful engagement, and offer peaceful resistance to the advance of the troopers pushing us South back to the main camp where I had stayed until the night prior to Thursday when we received a call to join the North Camp — the lately expanded camp on the front line. I tented up with my 2 Spirits brothers/sisters. Though we expected to be confronted, no raid happened that night, we went on sharing stories and warming our spirit around pit fires.

So Thursday morning my way to Bismark being blocked, I parked my car and soon found my way to the front line — facing Mr Cute Trooper:

I have 5 pictures of you Mr.. Good for you for looking more confused than mean…When approaching that line that we’ll all have to cross some day, keep in mind that there is redemption for you – those of you who doubt that you should bit up those who protect the water….Call on me — I’ll testify on your behalf