Resolution Opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline and Similar Action

WHEREAS the United States of America has a long history of unfair treatment towards native peoples, systematically eliminating them, their cultures, and their languages, relocating the tribes to reservations, and failing to honor native sovereignty and existing treaties--most recently with the attempted construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline;

WHEREAS oil pipelines pose serious environmental and health risks for all people along their routes, and our nation has a vast history of environmental racism, classism, and injustice, investigating and giving more credence to the environmental and health concerns of more affluent communities;

WHEREAS private security firms have worked in conjunction with local law enforcement to violate the human rights of Water Protectors protesting the construction of the pipeline at Standing Rock, using excessive force such as tear gas and water cannons in below-freezing temperatures, and the UN is currently investigating accusations of war crimes;

WHEREAS the President of the United States has taken executive action to advance approval of the Dakota Access Pipeline despite immense conflicts of interest, including enormous past investment in the project and more than $100,000 in campaign contributions from the top executive at Energy Transfer Partners (the company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline); 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Miracle Mile Democratic Club call on the elected officials who represent our members not only to oppose the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, but to take direct action to stop its construction, protect the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, the Water Protectors, and the environment, and to call attention to President Trump’s conflicts of interest, and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Miracle Mile Democratic Club call on our elected officials to oppose any future violations of tribal treaty rights and use of private security firms against peaceful protesters, and to fight for complete and thorough research into potential environmental hazards and alternatives to projects of this type--even and especially in low-income and minority communities.

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