An arrest warrant has been issued for the Green party candidate, who is accused of vandalism for spray-painting bulldozer during protest against a pipeline

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A North Dakota judge issued a warrant Wednesday for the arrest of Green party presidential candidate Jill Stein, who is accused of spray-painting construction equipment during a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline.

Stein was charged Wednesday in Morton County with misdemeanor counts of criminal trespassing and criminal mischief. The same charges have been filed against her running mate, Ajamu Baraka.

Stein campaign spokeswoman Meleiza Figueroa could not immediately comment on whether Stein plans to turn herself in.

Activists invited Stein to leave a message at the protest site near the Standing Rock Sioux tribe’s reservation on Tuesday, Figueroa said, and Stein sprayed “I approve this message” in red paint on the blade of a bulldozer. A court document shows Baraka painted the word “decolonization” on a piece of construction equipment.

North Dakota oil pipeline protesters stand their ground: 'This is sacred land' Read more

Morton County sheriff’s office spokesman Rob Keller said the warrant has been filed and if authorities were to come across Stein, “they would arrest her”.

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe is trying to stop construction of a section of the $3.8bn four-state pipeline that tribal leaders say would violate sacred and culturally sensitive grounds and possibly pollute water.

Before the charges were filed, Stein said in a statement said she hoped North Dakota authorities “press charges against the real vandalism taking place at the Standing Rock Sioux reservation: the bulldozing of sacred burial sites and the unleashing of vicious attack dogs”.

