By Steve Hindi
December 30, 2016
In early December, SHARK investigator Mike Kobliska and I joined water defenders at Standing Rock Native American Reservation in North Dakota for what was predicted to be an impending confrontation between corporate benefit defenders and police are connected to the Dakota Access Pipeline. Media reports suggest the dogs were used by pipeline security officers, who placed them against people and horses. We were informed that one horse had died. There is a strange story about a buffalo being captured by the authorities in cruel conditions. We’ve seen reprehensible behavior by law enforcement – something we’re all too familiar with in our own animal protection efforts.
Every day I think about the scope of change that would happen if the animal rights movement had one tenth the dedication of Standing Rock’s water defenders.
A serious confrontation was inevitable and with inadequate coverage by the corporate media, Mike and I traveled to North Dakota to use our high powered video and still cameras, as well as such as our Angel drones and other devices to record and expose the bullying tactics of the authorities. We arrived a few days before the arrival of military veterans who also supported the water defenders.
Aerial view of Oceti Sakowin Camp near Sioux Standing Rock Reserve
from SHARK .’s Angel drone (click to enlarge)
There were probably several thousand people in the camp when we got there. Some of these people have been there for months, living in difficult conditions at their best—something North Dakota winters are not. Yet despite being a very diverse group, everyone worked and lived together in a way that was both remarkable and admirable.
There are things I will always remember about camp. Provided with ready-to-eat food, a woman distributes warm socks to those who need them. Another woman is providing hot tea. A propane truck paid for by an unnamed donor will pass by each day so people can refill their tanks for free. People care about each other.
The community spirit that made the camp’s difficulties insurmountable, it reinforced everyone’s determination to not let go of those who protect their water sources. As winter turned harsher, some relatives chose to leave, but then veterans arrived and started some serious construction projects, building structures that are resistant to damage. The harsh weather will soon come.
Military police surround the campnote razor wire (click to enlarge)
There is strength in this environment of determination and solidarity. Every day I think about the scope of change that would happen if the animal rights movement had one tenth the dedication of Standing Rock’s water defenders.
About a month ago, I wrote about leaders of the animal rights movement who falsely claimed that we were “winning” simply because they had few victories from the protected confines of conferences and dinners. parties in luxury hotels. Winning a few battles doesn’t mean winning the war (like winning a few states didn’t win the election for Hillary Clinton) and the animal movement is far from winning the war. . There are those who disagree. Standing Rock is a study of true effectiveness – something our movement needs so much help with.
As I said earlier, there were probably several thousand people at the camp when Mike and I arrived. Veterans have come to double that number. Be generous and call it five thousand people.
Government-operated helicopters keep circling overhead
seems to be trying to intimidate (click to enlarge)
Those five thousand won – at least temporarily – against a combined force of multi-level banks and billionaire investors, and a massive police force employing military tactics, anti-riot and counter-terrorism, although there are no enemy soldiers, no riots and no terrorists – at least on the part of the water defenders.
Now imagine that five thousand people are NOT at the top of Standing Rock. Instead, imagine that those five thousand people acted like those in the animal rights movement. Imagine they “stand” at a conference or gala, they sign petitions, and they comment on Facebook. Would such efforts be similarly successful by those five thousand people? Of course not.
Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr’s 1971 hit It Don’t Come Easy included the line, “There’s a fee if you want to sing the blues, and you know it’s not easy.” There are hundreds of sayings that reiterate that topic. It’s all about sacrifice and hard work – putting everything first for what’s really important to you, whether it’s singing the blues, creating wealth, political success, protecting the objects, human rights, the environment – whatever.
From SHARK’s drones, veterans observed the placement of a flag that read
“One Water” on the hillside above Camp Oceti Sakowin (click to enlarge)
The water defenders, along with Mike and I, were lucky that President Obama ended the controversy by refusing to grant the pipeline company the necessary relief. Within hours of the announcement, a blizzard arrived and temperatures dropped to dangerous levels. We were stuck in Bismarck for two days, and then only hard left as winter continued to ravage.
It’s much easier to get in North Dakota than out (click to enlarge)
I’m so glad we went to Standing Rock. It’s not only the right thing to do, but I’ve seen it again – this time out of the way of animal welfare – what happens when people stop making excuses, walk away, and really put themselves in charge. in jeopardy of what they believe in.
Putting it all on the line is something that most of the supposed leaders of the animal rights movement gave up on a long time ago. Weak leaders have resulted in weak followers, and a weak movement. The animal welfare movement is like a high-performance racing car that never gets off the first wheel. We are moving, but at a crawling speed will never win the race. Our cause is compelling and poised to change the world, but the success of so many leaders is measured in dollars raised, not lives saved.
I’ve been involved in many levels of animal protection – rescues, lobbying, protests, but SHARK’s focus has always been on frontline work because it’s most effective. There are heroes who actually participate in the cause, but most of them don’t have the necessary support because they don’t make the noise like the big corporations. Serious people focus on producing results for animals, while profiteers work mainly on marketing and fundraising.
Mike with the newspaper declares victory (click to enlarge)
Not humans deserve maximum performance from us. Defending them is the only good reason for this movement. Animal careers deserve a better movement. Half a billion dollars raised annually in the US under the guise of helping animals requires a level of responsibility and achievement much higher than exists today.
Sadly, most animal advocates – especially the big donors – are sadly unknown and have proven to be very susceptible to petting their egos through awards. rewards, have things named after them, and hold gala dinners in their honor. Large corporations have become masters at creating noise and disseminating false claims of success to suck the money of those who take real action and make significant progress.
Winning at Standing Rock is most likely temporary. If another stand is needed, I hope everyone from SHARK will be there again, alongside our other frontline efforts around the country – in as many numbers as possible. We know that the frontline is home to the heart of change. Everything else is just the ripple effect of what happens on the front lines.
Victory for the Sioux Standing Rock Tribe! (click to enlarge)
Not everyone should take the lead in protecting animals. The truth is, most people just can’t handle it, and the last thing the front line needs is someone who’s about to break down, or can’t be relied on, or who needs babysitting when things get tough. towel. The tragic thing is that those in the animal rights movement support frontline groups so little, they choose instead to give their money to groups and individuals that mostly make noise while accomplishing a small part. what they’re supposed to do with all the millions they’ve got, do the wrong thing. claim compensation, collect excessive wages and, in some cases, commit outright fraud.
