See it here: Salt Lake City mayor calls North Dakota’s treatment of pipeline protesters ‘tragic’

Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski at a Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 press conference celebrating the city's proclamation that November is "Native American Heritage Month in SLC." Photo: Gephardt Daily/Patrick Benedict

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Nov. 2, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Salt Lake Mayor Jackie Biskupski is calling North Dakota law enforcement’s response to protests at the Dakota Access Pipeline construction site “tragic,” and says her administration will do all it can to highlight the issue.

Biskupski made the comments during a Tuesday morning ceremony proclaiming November “Native American Heritage Month in Salt Lake City.”

“I think it’s tragic, what’s happening there,” the mayor told Gephardt Daily. “We had our own protest here with hundreds of people in Salt Lake City, but it was managed in a respectful way, and this is how we expect others to manage themselves as well.”

“We’ll continue to do what we can to support the people there and to help them have their voices be heard. Hopefully, we’ll be successful,” Biskupksi said.

Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski declares November Native American Heritage Month outside her office in the Salt Lake City-County Building, Nov. 1, 2016. Photo: Gephardt Daily
Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski declares November Native American Heritage Month outside her office in the Salt Lake City County Building Nov 1 2016 Photo Gephardt Daily

Hundreds of demonstrators have been arrested the last few weeks in pointed clashes with both North Dakota law enforcement officers and private security guards.

Standing Rock Sioux tribe members maintain construction of the 1,172-mile oil pipeline project is a direct threat to the environment and desecrates sacred tribal lands — lands they say are protected by treaties signed long ago with the U.S. government.

During the most violent confrontations, dozens of protesters were set upon by guard dogs and baton-wielding highway patrolmen and sheriff’s deputies. Some were hit with pepper spray, while others were shot with rubber bullets.

In September, journalist Amy Goodman of Democracy Now was arrested and charged with criminal trespassing and taking part in a riot. The arrest came after Goodman recorded one of the more violent confrontations on video. A North Dakota judge ultimately ruled the charges were groundless.

The protest movement igniting passions in North Dakota came to downtown Salt Lake City Monday, where a group of 200 demonstrators occupied the lobby of the Wells Fargo Building on Main Street. There, they chanted, sang, and pounded on windows, taking the bank to task for investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the disputed pipeline project.

Nine protesters were ultimately arrested after chaining themselves together inside the Wells Fargo building. They were removed without incident.

Protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline project are taken into custody after occupying the lobby of the Wells Fargo Bank Building in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. Nov. 2, 2016. Gephardt Daily/Patrick Benedict
Protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline project in North Dakota are taken into custody after occupying the lobby of the Wells Fargo Bank Building in downtown Salt Lake City Utah 0ct 31 2016 Gephardt DailyPatrick Benedict

“We must recognize the connection all tribes share with one another, and respect the significance all Native Americans place on ancestral territory, even when they are thousands of miles away,” Biskupski said. “Members of Native American tribes in Salt Lake City are rightfully concerned about the Dakota Pipeline’s impact … as well as climate-change issues caused by a new project devoted to more burning of fossil fuels.”

Protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline project are taken into custody after occupying the lobby of the Wells Fargo Bank Building in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. Nov. 2, 2016. Gephardt Daily/Patrick Benedict
Protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline project are taken into custody after occupying the lobby of the Wells Fargo Bank Building in downtown Salt Lake City Utah Oct 31 2016 Gephardt DailyPatrick Benedict

Joining Biskupski outside her office Tuesday were several prominent members of Utah’s Native American community. They shared the mayor’s concern over the pipeline’s potential impact on sacred cultural sites, as well as the threat posed to the Sioux tribe’s water supply.

They also applauded the proclamation of “Native Heritage Month,” saying it would foster respect for Native American sovereignty and the many contributions made by indigenous people across North America.

Native American activist Cassandra Begay thanks Mayor Jackie Biskupski for declaring November Native American Heritage Month in Salt Lake City, Nov. 1, 2016
Native American activist Cassandra Begay thanks Mayor Jackie Biskupski for declaring November Native American Heritage Month in Salt Lake City Nov 1 2016 Photo Gephardt DailyPatrick Benedict

“I am a direct descendant of this country’s first native people and my ancestors fought hard and died for this land,” said Native American activist Cassandra Begay. “My ancestors had a deep connection and respect for the Earth, the animals, the plants and the importance of freedom. I stand here today in observation of the world, heartbroken,” she said, fighting back tears.

But Begay was not without hope.

“Salt Lake City doesn’t stand for any violation of any human rights,” she said. “Salt Lake City cares about their Native Americans.”

Hundreds turn out at Salt Lake City Council meeting Nov. 1, 2016 to declare their support for the Standing Rock Sioux protest in North Dakota. Photo: Gephardt Daily
Hundreds turn out at the Salt Lake City Council meeting Nov 1 2016 to declare their support for the Standing Rock Sioux protest in North Dakota Photo Gephardt Daily

Similar sentiments were on display at Salt Lake’s City Council meeting Tuesday night. More than 200 people packed council chambers and overflow viewing areas while a steady stream of speakers rose in support of the Standing Rock Sioux. 

The City Council will consider a resolution at its Nov. 15 meeting to formally express its support for the Standing Rock Sioux and their opposition to the pipeline.

2 COMMENTS

  1. In the penultimate paragraph there is a typo, it states, “Similar sentiments were on display at Salt Lake’s City Council meeting Tuesday night. More than two people packed council chambers and overflow viewing areas while a steady stream of speakers rose in support of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.” It should say “More than two [hundred] people . . . . ” rather than just “More than two people . . . . ” Thanks for the coverage :)

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