Louisiana: Water Protectors Brutally Arrested at Site of Energy Transfer Partners’ Illegal Construction

submitted to Earth First! Newswire

Four Water Protectors,were brutally arrested today in the Atchafalaya Basin while attempting to halt the illegal construction of Energy Transfer Partners’ Bayou Bridge Pipeline, considered the terminus of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

“I’ve been asked to protect this piece of land and I intend to do it.” said Cherri Foytlin, L’eau est la Vie camp council member.

Water Protectors contend that there is no easement agreement between ETP and Theda Wright, rendering all construction on Wright’s land illegal. They demand that ETP cease illegal construction of the pipeline, end the attacks on Water Protectors, create and implement an effective an evacuation route for those directly affected by their pipeline, and release those arrested today. Water Protectors will remain on Wright’s property indefinitely.

This comes on the heels of the August 20th arrests of four water protectors and a journalist, who were charged with felony interference with critical infrastructure, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Deputies tased and arrested a water protector, denying them food, water, and medical attention. Water Protectors were previously arrested on Wright’s property, despite her permission to stay there.

The Bayou Bridge Pipeline is 162 miles from southeast Texas to St. James, LA where it will transport crude oil from the Bakken Oil fields of North Dakota to international markets. September 3rd was the two-year anniversary of the violent use of attack dogs on the predominantly Indigenous Water Protectors at Standing Rock.