Arrests Made At Dakota Access Pipeline Protest Site

MEP: Most of the Dakota Access pipeline opponents abandoned their protest camp Wednesday ahead of a government deadline to get off the federal land, and authorities moved to arrest some who defied the order in a final show of dissent.

Most of the 200 to 300 protesters who remained at the encampment walked out around 1 p.m. local time Wednesday. That was about an hour ahead of a deadline set by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the camp to close ahead of a spring flooding threat.

At least nine protesters were arrested at the Oceti Sakowin camp on Wednesday night, after overstaying a police ultimatum to evacuate the area.

Upon leaving, some protesters set fire to a number of tents and buildings that Native Americans and activists had used during their months-long protest against the controversial pipeline.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said the remaining 25 to 50 or protesters holding out in the Oceti Sakowin camp site will be allowed to leave without being arrested so contractors can continue cleaning up the protest site near the controversial 1,172-mile long pipeline. Those who refuse to leave will be arrested.

“You know that our big ask for tomorrow is anyone remaining in the camp, we want to make sure that they know they have an opportunity to voluntarily leave,” Burgum said. “Take your belongings, remove anything that may be culturally significant and we’ll help you get on your way if you need to do that.”