WASHINGTON, DC - Given the conflicting reports by law enforcement, protestors, and the media regarding the response to protests of the Dakota Access Pipeline near the Standing Rock Sioux tribe's reservation in North Dakota, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) is urging the Department of Justice to immediately investigate all credible reports of inappropriate police tactics there and to deploy federal monitors in an effort to ensure that protestors can peacefully assemble and exercise their First Amendment rights.
"Given the ongoing danger to both protestors and law enforcement at Standing Rock, I call on the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) to promptly and thoroughly investigate all credible reports of inappropriate police tactics and, if DOJ has not already done so, to send federal monitors to Standing Rock to ensure that protestors can peacefully assemble and exercise their First Amendment rights," Booker wrote in a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Principal Deputy Attorney General Vanita Gupta.
Booker continued, "Given the conflicting reports of who has initiated violence and the danger posed by unanswered questions, the tense situation at Standing Rock calls for strong federal oversight and investigation into the violence. If the Department has not already deployed monitors to the region, I urge you to do so."
The full text of the letter can be viewed below:
Sen. Cory Booker Letter to DOJ on Standing Rock by Senator Cory Booker on Scribd