Date: February 2, 2017
Agency: Morton County Sheriff's Department
Contact: Morton County PIO (701) 426-1587 or (701) 595-3596
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sug_ywEMjiw
MANDAN, ND – Yesterday, a rogue group of protesters illegally set up a camp on private property in southern Morton County and 74 were arrested. Law enforcement from the Morton County Sheriff’s Department met twice on the Backwater Bridge with representatives of the rogue group to discuss the illegal camp. After multiple warnings by law enforcement to leave or be subject to arrest for criminal trespass, the protesters refused to leave. Law enforcement then took action and evicted the protesters.
Law enforcement showed great restraint, conducting themselves in a safe and responsible manner despite protesters resisting arrest and putting themselves in a precarious situation.
The goal is still to continue working with Tribal officials and protest camp leaders to clear and clean the main camps before flooding happens and for protesters to leave the area, according to Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier.
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