NoDAPL protesters in Iowa rip down fence, 32 arrests
Construction of the infamous Dakota Access Pipeline (Black Snake) continues except for the 40 mile segment near the Missouri River that has been stopped for now. Water protectors are now engaging the entire route. On the 1st of October, over 200 water protectors in Iowa ripped down a "security" fence at an Iowa DAPL site, only 32 were arrested. Two days later(Oct 3), five more sites where shut down by a "toxic tour" of 111 carloads of water protectors.
Common Dreams reports that about half the water protectors climbed over the fence while the other half ripped it down. Miriam Kashia, a member of the 100 Grannies from North Liberty, Iowa reported that with the fence down, water protectors did not then swarm deep into the site through the breach. This in essence is a repeat of what happened at the Battle of Quebec in 2001 against the Free Trade Area of the Americas. There, the fence was pulled down within minutes of the arrival of activists, but nobody had made plans for beyond the fence. This caused the Battle of Quebec to stagnate around the fallen fence, though GW Bush was affected by tear gas blown back on the wind. In the end, the Free Trade Area of the Americas was defeated anyway. just as the Dakota Access Pipeline (the Black Snake) will be defeated.
Pulling down the fence, however, may in this case force construction to stop until a new fence can be erected, depending on local construction regulations. This is because after the water protectors leave the site is "unsecured." Also, this exposes their equipment to direct action if it is ever left unattended. At the very minimum effort and money must be diverted to replacing the fence.
Two days after the Iowa fence breaching action, (Oct 3), five more sites where shut down by a "toxic tour" of 111 carloads of water protectors.
