An emergency evacuation notice issued by Governor Burgum on February 15 gives water protectors at the NoDAPL protest camps until 2pm today, February 22 to evacuate. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Army Corps of Engineers, North Dakota law enforcement, and the National Guard are stationed near the camps in preparation for the raid.
In response to the evacuation order and in anticipation of intense police and protester interaction, the ACLU of North Dakota is deploying a team of legal observers to monitor the eviction of water protectors at Oceti Sakowin and Sacred Stone. ACLU of North Dakota legal observers are neutral and tasked with ensuring that the Constitutional rights of a free press and peaceful protest are upheld. Observers will position themselves on public land and will be wearing blue ACLU of North Dakota observer vests.