Updated:

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

By
1019
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

Witness at the Border -

Glimpses of the Terror Inside a Detention Hotspot

The patch pictured above appears on the uniforms of some guards at "Alligator Alcatraz" in Florida. Below the grim reaper riding on an alligator are two human skulls, similar to the Totenkopf or death's head that the Nazis who ran and guarded German WWII concentration camps had on their SS uniforms.
Matt Alley - Blue CollarWriter Labor Media -

The Women Who Move the Labor Movement Forward

History shows that the labor movement moves forward when women organize. Women have repeatedly proven willing to confront power, build solidarity, and move the fight forward when others hesitate.
Ebony JJ Curry, The 19th -

She was sentenced to life in prison. A new law set her free after 23 years.

Nicole Boynton was the first woman freed as part of Georgia’s Survivor Justice Act, putting a national spotlight on how courts discount abuse in homicide cases — especially for Black women.
From the Editors, People's Tribune -

Stop the War on Iran! Impeach Trump!

The US-Israeli war against Iran is unprovoked, immoral and illegal. The majority of the people of the US are opposed to it, and we are obligated to stand up and stop it. This is also an opportunity to impeach and remove Trump and try and set the country on a new course.
Matt Alley - Blue CollarWriter Labor Media -

The True Economy

The real economy doesn’t live on Wall Street. The real economy is represented by people standing in line at food banks hoping the food doesn’t run out before their turn comes.

More from the People's Tribune