For the second time today, concerned citizens shut down Dakota Access Pipeline construction in Keokuk

By Aaron Murphy, Ruby Montoya, and Jim Arenz - Mississippi Stand Camp, October 10, 2016

Keokuk, IA - For the second time today concerned citizens stopped construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline. Jessica Garraway of Minneapolis, Minn., locked down to a construction vehicle blocking access to the Dakota Access boring site under the Mississippi River.

At approximately 7:30pm, citizens who had gathered around the entrance advised the truck driver that a human being was underneath the truck. It took several minutes for the truck driver to shut the vehicle off. Approximately 15 minutes passed until the truck was secure from rolling over her body.

During this time, pipeline security officers did not provide chocks for the truck’s wheels. Citizens at the construction site entrance placed rocks behind the wheels, securing the vehicle.

After police arrived, roads were blocked and views were obstructed. Witnesses sang and chanted in support of Garraway’s actions. Pipeline construction workers dismantled the truck’s axle and Garraway was arrested 45 minutes later.

Earlier today, several people locked arms and blocked construction access for at least one hour. One woman remained seated and the police appeared to use stress positions in an attempt to force compliance.

For weeks citizens have held an encampment on Mississippi River road in Keokuk, Iowa, called “Mississippi Stand” (http://www.mississippistand.com). Hundreds of people from the tri-state area have come to engage in nonviolent civil disobedience against the pipeline. Supporters continue to mobilize from across the country and more arrive each day.

Footage of this evening’s occurrence was livestreamed on Mississippi Stand’s Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/MississippiStandCamp/

Follow Up Actions:

• Climate Direct Action: Activists Halt Flow of Tar Sands Oil by Shutting Off Valves of Five Pipelines - By Juan González and Amy Goodman, Democracy Now, October 12, 2016; [related]: Activists Shut Down Tar Sands Pipelines Crossing US-Canada Border - By Andy Rowell, Oil Change International, October 12, 2016 | Activists just disrupted Canada’s tar sands pipelines into the United States - By Alejandro Dávila Fragoso, Think Progress, October 11, 2016 | Activists Reportedly Shut Down Five Pipelines Carrying Tar Sands Oil into U.S - By Amy Goodman, Democracy Now, October 11, 2016 | 5 Climate Activists Shut Down 5 Tar Sands Pipelines - By Dan Zukowski, EcoWatch, October 11, 2016 | Protesters Inside Pipeline Stop Spectra For 16 Hours - By Resist Spectra Staff, Popular Resistance, October 11, 2016 | 'This Is My Act of Love': Climate Activists Shut Down All US-Canada Tar Sands Pipelines - By Lauren McCauley, Common Dreams, October 11, 2016

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are not the official position of the IWW (or even the IWW’s EUC) and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone but the author’s.