Trump for DAPL Construction, Tulsi Gabbard Against

According to Reuters, Trump’s transition team announced support for completing DAPL construction, adding his support “has nothing to do with his personal investments and everything to do with promoting policies that benefit all Americans.”

“Those making such a claim are only attempting to distract from the fact that President-elect Trump has put forth serious policy proposals he plans to set in motion on Day One.”

Oil pipelines notoriously leak, causing extensive environmental damage to land, waterways and wildlife habitat. Remaining DAPL construction threatens sacred Standing Rock Sioux ancestral land and water.

Thousands of their members and supporters have been protesting against it since last spring – around 2,000 veterans arriving this weekend in solidarity with them, vowing to serve as human shields.

One navy veteran likely spoke for others, saying “I signed up to serve my country and my people and I did that overseas. I didn’t think I’d have to do it here, on this land, so here I am. This is what I need to be doing.”

In a Thursday House floor address, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D. HI) announced plans to stand with Standing Rock, saying in part:

“The Dakota Access Pipeline is a threat to this great balance of life. Despite strong opposition from the Standing Rock Sioux and serious concerns raised by the EPA, the Department of Interior, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and other Federal agencies, the Army Corps of Engineers approved permits to construct the Dakota Access Pipeline without adequately consulting the tribes, and without fully evaluating the potential impacts to neighboring tribal lands, sacred sites, and their water supply.”

“Just one spill near the tribe’s reservation could release thousands of barrels of crude oil, contaminating the tribe’s drinking water.”

“The impact of the Dakota Access Pipeline is clear. Energy Transfer Partners, the company constructing the Dakota Pipeline, has a history of serious pipeline explosions, which have caused injury, death, and significant property damage in the past decade.”

“The future operator of the planned pipeline, Sunoco Logistics, has had over 200 environmentally damaging oil spills in the last 6 years alone – more than any of its competitors.”

“This weekend I’m joining thousands of veterans from across the country at Standing Rock to stand in solidarity with our Native American brothers and sisters.”

“Together we call on President Obama to immediately halt the construction of this pipeline, respect the sacred lands of the Standing Rock Sioux, and respect their right to clean water.”

“The truth is, whether it’s the threat to essential water sources in this region, the lead contaminated water in Flint, Michigan, or the threat posed to a major Hawaiʻi aquifer by the Red Hill fuel leak, each example underscores the vital importance of protecting our water resources.”

A previous article explained Tulsi is the first Native American Samoan congressional member, the most popular Hawaiian politician, a Hindu by faith, against wars of choice to oust sitting governments.

If completed, the 1,172-mile DAPL will transport around half a million barrels of crude oil daily from Bakken and Three Forks, North Dakota to Patoka, IL, risking contamination of Standing Rock Sioux sacred ancestral land and water.

On December 2, Sioux chairman David Archambault II said “(i)t is time the United States finally and consistent with its legal and international obligations fully recognizes our right to be treated like human beings and as sovereign nations.”