"We all know what your concerns are. We've heard them. Your messages have been well-delivered. They have been loud and profound. You can't be more productive than you have been. It's time to go home. It's time to go home to your family and loved ones and celebrate what's important to you. That's what we are going to be doing here," he said.

"When this passes and it eventually will, we likely will have damaged relationships we must focus on that we must repair. You will be somewhere else," he told protesters of what he described as a historic event in Bismarck.

He said, according to area law enforcement reports, there have been about 500 arrests related to the DAPL protests.

"Most of you don't live here, which means most of you don't care what's left when you leave," he said.

The holiday season will make everyone thankful for the gifts of the city and thankful for the message the protesters have given, according to Seminary.

During the press conference, Police Chief Dan Donlin assured residents that the police department is fully staffed to protect the city.

"We make sure that is our No. 1 priority. After that is when we provide our support resources into Morton County," said Donlin, who advised businesses to have a lockdown plan ready.

Law enforcement will allow First Amendment rights to freedom of speech, but will react to criminal activity, he said.

(Reach LeAnn Eckroth at 701-250-8264 or leann.eckroth@bismarcktribune.com)

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