An historic and brutal confrontation played out in North Dakota and most of the media was missing.
The Standing Rock action against the DAPL (Dakota Access Pipeline) was met with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons in sub freezing temperatures. Hundreds of people were attacked by police and security.
Social media provided live streaming but the story was ignored by major networks and newspapers
Here's a sample of the Twitter feeds that kept people informed.
Calling upon @BarackObama
and @LorettaLynch to immediately step in and stop
ND Police from further violence &abuses in #standingrock
#NoDAPL
- Dr. Adrienne Keene @NativeApprops 5h5 hours ago
Tonight, protectors are being heavily gassed, sprayed with a water cannon, & trapped on the bridge by that illegal police roadblock. #NoDAPL
- Dr. Adrienne Keene @NativeApprops 5h5 hours ago
I just left Standing Rock. My students are out there right now. I feel physically sick thinking of them and my other friends I left. #NoDAPL
There are several strands to the controversy that make this newsworthy. More betrayal of Indian rights, legal challenges, the determination of those who are there to protect water and land rights, behavior by private security and the impact on the pipeline.
Many of the posts questioned why major media have ignored the story. I wonder that as well. Given the media's current penchant for visual events and the sensational, I'm curious why the dramatic confrontation didn't get attention.
The Standing Rock occupation and protest carries a link to the founding of the American Republic. It's time it gets more attention from major media. Fortunately social media helps fill the information gap.
See you down the trail.
