Standing Rock: Letter to Santa Cruz City Council
Dear Santa Cruz City Council:
The Student Alliance of North American Indians (SANAI) and other allied students, faculty and community members are asking you release a public statement against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in solidarity with the indigenous citizens of Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Oceti Sakowin. The construction has violated treaty laws by selling the land to the Dallas- based Energy Transfer Partners without proper consultation. Second, continuing the construction has been an infringement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Articles 25, 28, 32, 38 and 40. Denying the people of Standing Rock clean water and say over their land is a violations of human rights, perpetuates systemic environmental racism, and furthers the marginalization of indigenous communities.
The Dakota Access Pipeline poses an immediate threat to the Missouri River, and those who rely on the river to live. Additionally, the construction threatens traditional burial grounds and sacred sites on the Tribal ancestral land. Heroic warriors at Sacred Stone and Red Warrior camps - as well as indigenous communities and allies from across the globe - have been holding down the front line at the construction sites. Despite winter approaching they plan to hold down the camps until all construction stops. As of recently, judicial power and the Army Corps has failed to take action and is allowing for construction workers to begin drilling beneath the Missouri River.
In light of the increased police militarization and assaults of innocent water protectors we ask you to support our the Resolution we intend to present,and release a public statement in support of Standing Rock. Additionally, we ask that you, on behalf of the City of Santa Cruz, send a letter directly to our California legislator Mike Honda, encouraging that he too take action.
Thank you for doing your pat to stand up for Indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice.
“Any threats to water are threats to life itself”
With respect,
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