This past week, police once again became violent with water protectors at Standing Rock. Although this is certainly not the first time injuries have been sustained during peaceful demonstrations, police brutality reached new heights this time around with the injuring of Sophia Wilansky, who may end up losing her left hand due to what is believed to be a concussion grenade, and roughly 300 others being forced to seek medical attention due to the actions of the police.
Although there has been some disinformation floating around, what is happening in this situation is actually quite clear: the United States government is using excessive force on unarmed citizens practicing their first amendment rights to speak out against a pipeline being unlawfully constructed on tribal land that has the potential to poison the water supply of roughly 17 million people. There is very little question about who has the moral high ground in this situation.
With President Obama and the justice system at large refusing to intervene however, and an incoming president who's response is certain to be worse, I know I am not the only one who has been asking when we can start claiming self-defense.
While the Dakota Access Pipeline is currently grabbing the headlines - or at least it should be - in the grand scheme of things, it is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to unjust economic practices. With exploitation for profit considered business as usual, most actions within the current global economy, in fact, infringe upon the rights of individuals to one degree or another. Whether this exploitation is directed towards the environment, as it is at Standing Rock, or people's general quality of life, the majority of decisions made on a daily basis end up creating some sort of negative ripple effect. What is happening in North Dakota is showing the world that the American way of life is less the natural course of progress and more an oppression of human rights.
In the case of Standing Rock - at least for the time being - I actually find it strategic to remain non-violent. Due to the camp's commitment to remain peaceful, there is an overwhelming amount of support from those outside of the encampment that may be key in halting the construction of this pipeline. However, with the web of life being destroyed on a daily basis, people's standard of living continuing to be under attack, and a President-elect that campaigned on violating the rights of marginalized groups of people, I strongly believe that self-defense should be part of our conversations going forward. After all, when those who we appeal to for justice are the agents of our oppression, our options become few.
