There is a viral Facebook request that has seen thousands of users “checking in” at Standing Rock. For the past few months, Native American activists have been engaged in a tense standoff due to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in Standing Rock, North Dakota. At issue is the destruction of Native American sacred sites, including burial grounds of the Sioux people and protection of water resources. Law enforcement agencies from at least four states where the pipeline is scheduled to traverse have made their presence known at protests sites. Most recently protests have turned violent as private security guards hired by the pipeline constructors have been accused of unleashing dogs on the activists.
Earlier this week, activists fought back against a police incursion on protest sites by blocking roads with burning vehicles and throwing rocks and gasoline-filled bottles. Police responded with mass arrests and firing beanbag rounds, using pepper spray and high-frequency sound against the crowd in an attempt at dispersal.
In a form of social media protest, Facebook users are being asked to check in at Standing rock with the following:
“Solidarity request what everyone on Facebook can do to support the justice-makers at Standing Rock:
1) “Check in” at Standing Rock reservation.
2) Make sure your post is set to “Public.”
3) Share the following with your friends only in a separate post:The Morton County Sheriff’s Department has been using Facebook check-ins to find out who is at Standing Rock in order to target them in attempts to disrupt the prayer camps. So Water Protectors are calling on EVERYONE to check-in at Standing Rock, ND to overwhelm and confuse them.
This is concrete action that can protect people putting their bodies and well-beings on the line that we can do without leaving our homes. Will you join me in Standing Rock — right here on Facebook?”
Thousands have since responded to the request, however, the Morton County Sheriff’s Department has stated they are not using Facebook to check on protesters. A representative for the agency stated to media requests that it “is not and does not follow Facebook check-ins for the protest camp or any location.”
One of the main activist groups, Sacred Stone Camp, stated to media that the post did not originate with their organization. The group stated to the media:
“There is no doubt that law enforcement comb social media for incriminating material and monitor communications. There is no solid line between “organizers” and “others”- this is a movement, not an organization. There are many camps and points of contact, we can only verify that it did not originate from the Sacred Stone Camp FB page. We support the tactic, and think it is a great way to express solidarity.”
