Law enforcement officials have arrested scores of protesters at the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline, lessening the chances of another full-scale demonstration early Friday.
The heavy police presence on Thursday and the multiple arrests -- at least 141, according to Morton County Sheriff Public Information Officer Donnell Hushka -- mean that while the protest is not over, it is unlikely that large numbers will quickly be able to regroup.
Supporters of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe had earlier set up tents and teepees on the land, which they said belongs to the tribe under a 19-century treaty.
Around 200 others were pushed back around two miles to their main encampment. It had taken the law enforcement coalition, with badges from a number of different counties, states, agencies and jurisdictions represented, around six hours to physically push the protesters back to their campsite.
As the standoff continued, police deployed bean bag rounds and pepper spray gas, and unleashed a high-pitched siren to disperse the crowd.
In response, protesters lit debris on fire near a bridge and threw Molotov cocktails at law enforcement, North Dakota Department of Emergency Services spokeswoman Cecily Fong said.
By midnight Thursday some of the more dedicated opponents of the pipeline had already sneaked through police lines and relit fires near the site.
Around 50 cars -- anything not painted in the livery of one of the myriad law enforcement agencies -- were towed away. A handful were either burned or otherwise vandalized.
Authorities said protesters are trespassing on pipeline property. Supporters of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe had set up tents and teepees on the land. Officials brought in reinforcements from seven states to remove protesters and dismantle roadblocks made of hay bales and wood.
Source: cnn
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