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National | Indigenous

Facebook supporters 'check in' at Standing Rock

As the situation at Standing Rock intensifies, people from all over the world are using Facebook to show their support for the indigenous peoples in North Dakota by 'checking in' at Standing Rock.

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe continues to protest against the proposed $3.8 billion oil pipeline in North Dakota. The stand against the build has been ongoing for months in court and in the Standing Rock prayer camps where Native American tribes and others have gathered in unity.

The 'check in' initiation was put in place to 'overwhelm' and 'confuse' local law enforcement. More than 924,000 people have checked into the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. That number is set to rise.

A recent status published to Facebook states, "The Morton County Sherriff's Department has been using Facebook check-ins to find out who is at Standing Rock in order to target them in attempts to disrupt the prayer camps. SO Water Protectors are calling on EVERYONE to check-in at Standing Rock, ND to overwhelm and confuse them. This is concrete action that can protect people putting their bodies and well-beings on the line that we can do without leaving our homes."

However, a status posted by the Morton County Sherrif's Department are denying the accusation, calling it a "rumour".

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and many others have spent months attempting to block construction of the $3.8 billion, 1,172-mile pipe. They believe the environmental threats it poses and the obligation to consult with the indigenous people have been ignored in the process.

If completed, the pipeline would transport up to 500,000 barrels of Bakken crude oil per day across the country to Illinois. It would pass under the Missouri River which is the main water source for the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and impact numerous sacred sites and treaty territories.