Updated:

‘We will not back down! We will stop Line 3,’ says indigenous youth leader

By
989
0

Latest

Editor’s note:  The People’s Tribune transcribed these words spoken by Silas Neeland at the People vs. Fossil Fuels protests from a youtube video produced by Julie Dermansky. The youtube video is at this link: https://www.desmog.com/2021/10/12/indigenous-leaders-deliver-petitions-to-army-corps-dc-headquarters-after-155-activists-arrested-at-the-white-house/

Silas Neeland
Video Still.
Video by Julie Dermansky

“I am Silas Neeland from the White Earth Reservation where my homeland is being raped by a pipeline called Line 3. And as we fought this pipeline, Pennington County used rubber bullets and mace on my colleague, Tara Houska and her crew . . . [this is] the same county that ripped a girl’s shirt off for trying to protect the water. So I come here to tell President Biden he needs to shut this [pipeline] down and to stop oppressing our people. And guess what he does? Nothing! He sent these people to traumatize us [Silas turns to look at the police]. I saw what happened yesterday [More than 150 people were arrested.] I am sick of it!  Everybody say: ‘We will not back down to these police. We will not back down to these police. We will not back down. We will stop Line 3!’”

+ Articles by this author

The People’s Tribune opens its pages to voices of the movement for change. Our articles are written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Articles entitled “From the Editors” reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement for change. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff. The People’s Tribune is a 501C4 organization.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Luis J. Rodriguez -

Why Cuba Matters

Cuba is dark now. Electricity is gone, goods inaccessible. The U.S. is killing Cuba. We have no moral or lawful standing to push Cuba, or any country, to the brink. We must make sure peace and well-being on earth
Hend Salama Abo Helow, Truthout -

Israel’s ‘Yellow Line’ Is a Death Trap for Palestinians. We Drove Into It.

Hend Salama Abo Helow describes her experience in Gaza trying to navigate safely along the "Yellow Line" while doing humanitarian work, and she notes that the true purpose of the line is to allow the Israelis to carry out a slow-moving takeover of Gaza.
Karel Riley, People's Tribune -

Epstein Files Reveal Horrible Abuses of Children and Unspeakable Depravity

The depravity of the wealthy and powerful revealed by the Epstein files shows that these people have no morals and they don't care about the rest of us. We have to demand that the full truth be exposed and that there is justice for the survivors.
Bob Lee, People's Tribune -

ICE is Today’s Slave Patrols

As we celebrate Black History Month, we are again reminded that Black history is at the heart of US history. This is because it has shaped what happens in this country in so many ways, and continues to do so. A case in point is the parallels between the pre-Civil War slave patrols of the 19th century and the ICE/Border Patrol abductions of immigrants in the US today.
Mehcad Brooks -

Bondi’s Hearing Was a Removal of the Veil

Actor Mehcad Brooks says in a social media post that Attorney General Pam Bondi’s appearance before a congressional committee about Epstein tore the veil off American capitalism.

More from the People's Tribune

Copyright © 2022 People's Tribune