A federal judge has rejected an effort by the federal government to avoid a lawsuit over its handling of protests against an oil pipeline, in which liberal protesters seized land, blocked roads and threw bombs at police – and ironically polluted the very river they claimed to be protecting.
“U.S. Federal Judge Daniel Traynor issued an order rejecting the federal government's motion for summary judgement in North Dakota's lawsuit claiming damages from the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) protests,” U.S Senator Mike Hoeven (R-ND) reports.
During those protests, liberals calling themselves “water protectors” set up camp in the bed of the bed of the Missouri River and began a campaign of violent attacks on pipeline workers and police in an effort to stop construction of the pipeline.
At least one person was killed and a woman lost an arm when a propane tank bomb she attempted to throw at police exploded in her hand.
While the stated purpose of the “water protectors” was to stop supposed pollution of the river, they left behind an estimated 21 million pounds of trash and human waste, and even abandoned oil-filled cars, in the river bed. They also abandoned 21 dogs.
“The state is seeking $38 million to cover its emergency response costs resulting from the federal government negligence during the protests,” Hoeven notes.
“The federal government's refusal to enforce the law and properly police illegal activity occurring on federal lands during the DAPL protests resulted in significant costs to the state, above and beyond the $10 million that we secured to reimburse these expenses,” said Hoeven. “We appreciate Judge Traynor's continued insistence that the lawsuit be allowed to proceed, helping to ensure accountability for federal officials who neglected their responsibilities during these protests.”
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
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