People are jumping on social media to show their support for the Dakota Access Pipeline protesters. Over one million people checked in to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation and Standing Rock, North Dakota on Facebook in an effort to bewilder police. While law enforcement claims they’re not tracking people via Facebook, supporters continue to check in and show solidarity.
On Monday, a Facebook post challenged people to back pipeline protesters on the ground and “overwhelm and confuse” law enforcement by checking in to Standing Rock, North Dakota on Facebook. Thousands responded, including the Morton County Sheriff’s Department, which said on Facebook, “The Morton County Sheriff’s Department is not and does not follow Facebook check-ins for the protest camp or any location. This claim/rumor is absolutely false.”
Related: Dakota Access Pipeline protesters raise over $1 million on GoFundMe
This statement didn’t deter the thousands of people who checked in and continue to check in on Facebook. Sacred Stone Camp says they did not start the Facebook movement but in a statement emailed to Mic said checking in is a “great way to express solidarity” and that there is “no doubt that law enforcement monitor communications and comb social media for incriminating material.”
They also noted there are many other actions people can take beyond a Facebook check in. They asked people to consider their own consumption of fossil fuels, and get involved with environmental or indigenous struggles near their own homes. They called on CitiBank, Mizho Bank, and the Bank of Tokyo to deny the Dakota Access Pipeline a $1.1 billion loan. Supporters of the protesters can also contribute to legal defense on FundRazr or donate to Sacred Stone Camp on GoFundMe.
Sacred Stone Camp also called for more people to actually come to Standing Rock, saying “We also need 10,000 to 100,000 people to join us here on the ground. Now.”
Via The Guardian and Mic
Images via Fibonacci Blue on Flickr and Sacred Stone Camp Facebook
