In our last update we shared with you the exciting news that the Obama administration had temporarily blocked construction of the pipeline in the area around the Standing Rock reservation. This move, in addition to the administration’s commitment to work with tribes to improve tribal consultation for large infrastructure projects, was a big win! But it’s only temporary, and has not been enough to stop North Dakota police forces and Dakota Access security from interfering with our peaceful protest. In the past few weeks since the announcement, they have been taking advantage of a lull in media coverage to increase their presence and continue criminalizing us for fighting to protect the water. Last week, 21 people from the camps were arrested while conducting a peaceful ceremony in which they planted corn and willow in the path of the pipeline. Police officers showed up with armored vehicles, in riot gear, and one of them even pointed a gun at the protectors before arresting them. This just proves that we can’t let a temporary pause on construction let us get complacent, we need to make sure this story stays present in the news, and that people know what’s happening on the ground. Will you help us spread the word by sharing on social media? Click here to tweet about it: http://bit.ly/2cHoRD6 Click here to post about it on Facebook: http://bit.ly/1NZvsug You can use this Facebook caption: “21 people were arrested while peacefully defending our water from the Dakota Access Pipeline. We can’t lose momentum on this important movement, please sign to support indigenous youth fighting this dangerous project.” We’ll be back soon with further actions you can take to help escalate the campaign. Thank you! Bobbi Jean and Anna Photo credit: Rob Wilson