The Libertarian Party of North Dakota has issued the following statement in regards to the Dakota Access Pipeline construction and protests:

Our party and our candidates for office in 2016 are calling on state and tribal leaders to work together to reach an agreement over the Dakota Access Pipeline and ensure the safety of all workers, protesters and landowners involved. The LPND respects the rights of private business and landowners while at the same time we respect the rights of the Standing Rock tribe and their federally granted water rights through treaties with the U.S. Government. Jack Seaman Picture.jpg “At this point, the blame game should take a back seat to public and worker safety, along with a peaceful resolution to the dispute” said LPND chair Tony Mangnall. “Our state and federal government officials should be working towards this goal,” he continued. “Unfortunately, it also appears outside influencers have latched onto this issue to further their own agendas, and it only serves to make progress harder.” “North Dakota’s state and federal elected leaders have an opportunity to show they can handle a tough situation like this without picking winners and losers,” said Jack Seaman, Libertarian Candidate for the United States House of Representatives. “Instead of calling the protesters names, Congressman Kevin Cramer should be doing what he can to provide state leaders the tools to prevent the Federal Government from intervening in the situation at Standing Rock.” Candidate Jack Seaman appeared on News and Views with Joel Heitkamp this week to discuss this situation. Marty Riske, candidate for governor suggested that if state officials are unable to find a way to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict, private third party intermediaries should be recruited to help resolve the situation. “If Governor Dalrymple cannot muster the leadership needed to find a resolution to the conflict before it really gets out of hand, then it is up to others to do their part,” Riske said. “This is a time for politicians, primarily Democrats, that claim to represent the interests of Native Americans to show they can do more than show up for a photo-op or a ribbon cutting on a federal funded building.” “It is likely that regardless of which way Judge Boasberg issues a ruling on work stoppage, it will require negotiation between Dakota Access and the Standing Rock tribe to find an equitable outcome of this situation for all. The Libertarian Party of North Dakota supports such an agreement.” Mangnall added.