Ohio Contributes Police to North Dakota Protests & Unrest

The highly criticized Dakota Access pipeline has drawn a volatile crowd, both from the protesting and law enforcement sides. This week Gov. John Kasich dispatched 37 Ohio Troopers to aid in the protests, and there are so far 23,561 Ohioans that have a problem with his decision.

Because the pipeline runs less than a mile close to Native American tribal lands, Native Americans and environmentalists contend that the pipeline could pollute Standing Rock Indian Reservation’s only water supply and harm sacred burial lands, according to the Columbus Dispatch. 

There have been a litany of civil rights issues that have been allegedly violated according to the online petition — so much that Amnesty International is stepping in to monitor the situation.

According to a quote from The Dispatch by Lt. Robert Sellers of the State Highway Patrol — these officers will cost Ohio nothing and the shifts will not go uncovered.

But people aren’t buying it and Kasich’s decision is being petitioned online in hopes that it can be repealed and the troopers recalled. On the petition website their demand reads, “Ohio taxpayers do not want 37 of their highway patrol officers to participate in this unconstitutional and unethical violation of Native American people’s rights.” As of this writing, it sits at 23,561 supporters, just short of their 25,000 goal.

What do you think of Kasich’s decision? Sound off in the comments below.

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