A sacred stand
Gwen Prince writes about an environmental struggle in North America
‘This is not a place of protest, but a place of prayer’
Sioux elder, Standing Rock, North Dakota
Many Quakers have been following a David and Goliath story in the United States that involves Native Americans who are guarding their land and sacred sites from the desecration caused by an oil pipeline.
The pipeline is planned to tunnel under the Missouri River. Native Americans argue that such schemes are prone to leaks that would contaminate the water supply of areas held sacred by their tribes. They can also cause serious and widespread environmental damage. A camp started in April 2016 and grew rapidly, attracting international attention, with those involved calling themselves ‘water protectors, not protesters’.
The mainstream media has largely ignored the story until recently, when the peaceful defenders were met by attack dogs and pepper spray wielded by armed soldiers and police in riot gear.
Moved by the quiet dignity of their nonviolent struggle, thousands of people joined the water protectors, including Native Americans from all over the United States and beyond. The supporters who came were environmentalists, politicians, civil rights groups and hundreds of interfaith supporters, including Quakers.
An epistle from New England Yearly Meeting affirmed: ‘Where those without worldly power stand in the Truth in the face of empire, God is at work and our faith calls on us to support them.’
Faced with armed police and under constant surveillance by searchlights, helicopters and drones, the protectors were advised by the leaders to stay calm.
White Bull said that the highest weapon the protectors have is prayer: ‘Take ten seconds to pray. Ask the Creator for strength and courage to stand peacefully. Devotion and prayer are the unifying forces. We are fighting for the human race.’
There were prayers for the police, the military, and pipeline workers, and the United States’ government was forgiven for all it had done in the past to the Sioux nation. A reporter, who confessed that he was a ‘grudge holder’ and found forgiveness difficult, found himself moved by the sight of a water protector and a police officer bowing their heads and praying together. A photograph of a water protector kneeling in prayer and covered in ice, which came from them being sprayed with freezing water, went viral.
On 10 December a second day of ‘global synchronised prayer’ – joining with interfaith and spiritual leaders around the world – was held. During this prayer, as thousands joined hands encircling the camp, it was announced that the permit to continue construction of the pipeline had been denied until an Environmental Impact Assessment was completed. This was a major victory and a celebration, with thanks given for the answered prayer, ensued.
Many US army veterans came after this to Standing Rock to shield the water protectors from the forces ranged against them. Other Americans also joined them to express shame for the way Native Americans have historically been treated.
Donald Trump may well decide to approve the pipeline, but he will face a lot of opposition. Meanwhile, as the extreme temperatures of winter took hold, the leaders advised people to go home. A core of people was left to brave the weather.
Another synchronised global prayer has been called for 21 January. We are asked to join in the call for the banks involved – which include HSBC, RBS and Barclays – to divest from funding the project and to ask them to invest in water and not oil for the sake of the planet’s future. DNB, Norway’s biggest bank, was the first to do so.
The water protectors are hopeful. In the words of Dave Archambault, the chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe: ‘There is a spirit rising… across this world, saying “enough is enough”… It’s beyond people. It’s the Creator who is taking over.’
‘Water Protectors v Donald Trump’: David and Goliath, indeed. Let us accept the invitation to join with them in prayer and action.
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