Montana Gov. Steve Bullock said Thursday that he will consult with the state's Native American leaders before fulfilling any future requests for law-enforcement assistance at the site of an oil pipeline protest in North Dakota.
Conditions near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation have changed since he approved the last request from North Dakota in October as part of a compact between states to assist in emergencies, Bullock said in a statement. Then, the state sent 10 highway patrol troopers to help police the protest, and those troopers are due to return home on Sunday.
The governor added that he supports President Barack Obama's call for pausing construction of the $3.8 billion pipeline through North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa to a shipping point in Illinois.
"My thoughts are with the thousands of people, including Montanans, gathered around Standing Rock in North Dakota," Bullock said. "Working government to government, we look forward to a quick and peaceful resolution"
Officials from Montana's Native American tribes contacted the governor's office after the state sent its troopers to North Dakota last month. "Our discussions have been varied, and we have appreciated all of them," Abel said.
Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin had announced plans to take four deputies to the protest, but then canceled them after receiving numerous calls and emails by people urging him not to do so. "I serve the people, and the people have spoken" Gootkin told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
Wyoming also has drawn fire from tribal leaders for sending six troopers to the protests last month. Gov. Matt Mead previously said sending the troopers represented only a desire to extend emergency help to another state and didn't signal that Wyoming had taken a position on the pipeline controversy.
Those troopers returned home on Wednesday.
Capt. Shawn Dickerson, co-commander of the Special Services Squad at the Wyoming Highway Patrol, said the troopers did not use any force against the protesters "beyond normal crowd control movements."
Wyoming officials said there are no plans to send more troopers.
Source
Conditions near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation have changed since he approved the last request from North Dakota in October as part of a compact between states to assist in emergencies, Bullock said in a statement. Then, the state sent 10 highway patrol troopers to help police the protest, and those troopers are due to return home on Sunday.
The governor added that he supports President Barack Obama's call for pausing construction of the $3.8 billion pipeline through North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa to a shipping point in Illinois.
"My thoughts are with the thousands of people, including Montanans, gathered around Standing Rock in North Dakota," Bullock said. "Working government to government, we look forward to a quick and peaceful resolution"
Officials from Montana's Native American tribes contacted the governor's office after the state sent its troopers to North Dakota last month. "Our discussions have been varied, and we have appreciated all of them," Abel said.
Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin had announced plans to take four deputies to the protest, but then canceled them after receiving numerous calls and emails by people urging him not to do so. "I serve the people, and the people have spoken" Gootkin told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
Wyoming also has drawn fire from tribal leaders for sending six troopers to the protests last month. Gov. Matt Mead previously said sending the troopers represented only a desire to extend emergency help to another state and didn't signal that Wyoming had taken a position on the pipeline controversy.
Those troopers returned home on Wednesday.
Capt. Shawn Dickerson, co-commander of the Special Services Squad at the Wyoming Highway Patrol, said the troopers did not use any force against the protesters "beyond normal crowd control movements."
Wyoming officials said there are no plans to send more troopers.
Source
WHAT TOOK HIM SO LONG????
Common sense prevails
I wasn't aware Steve Bullock did that...if known I would have written and called him on his decision. I'm glad he had a change of heart.
well maybe the governor should sic his police on the pipeline WORKERS instead
I hope the other governors pay close attention. Most importantly, I hope Governor Dalrymple pays attention.
Then get the Montana Highway patrol out of there
WATER IS LIFE
Thank you,Governor Bullock, for listening to the People. It is your moral fiber that we elected you on. Thank you for being a shining blue beacon in a sea of red! We love you!
Yes Montana choose to do the right thing. True lesson to the people, as it say a of the people, for the peoples and by the peoples?