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WEAPONSIZING WATER AGAINST WATER PROTECTORS AT STANDING ROCK, N. DAKOTA

This COLD CASE investigates the events at Backwater Bridge within the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota during the “noDAPLmovement”. Despite sub-zero temperatures and a wind chill of -10 Celsius, the Morton County Sheriff began a 12-hour assault against Water Protectors and their allies firing a water canon against protestors throughout the night. As core temperatures of bodies fell into the danger zone, the campfires that were being used to generate warmth were also targeted. This aggressive campaign to disband water protectors from mobilising support included the use of explosive grenades and rubber bullets. The military-style blockade of the highway by law enforcement further hampered amedical treatment. Over 200 peaceful protestors were injured that night – twenty-six needing immediate hospitalisation. Over 300 cases of hypothermia were reported.

︎︎︎RESOURCES

TEMPERATURE  Sub-zero temperatures with a wind chill of -10 ° Celsius (14 ° Farenheit)
LOCATION  Backwater Bridge, Standing Rock Indian Reservation, North Dakota, USA
DATE  20 November 2016

Excerpt from video (18:34 mins), Susan Schuppli with researcher Henry Bradley and Forensic Architecture / Omar Ferwati, Kishan San, 2021