11.21.16

Hoeven: Last Night's Demonstration Not Peaceful

BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to protests last night south of Bismarck-Mandan:

“Today, I spoke with the governor and also met with National Guard Adjutant General Al Dohrmann and Mike Gerhart, superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, to review last night’s protests, which included setting fires, trespassing and attempting to cross police lines. These protests are clearly not peaceful protests and once again demonstrate the need for more law enforcement resources to keep the peace. That’s why I spoke last week with the Director of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Jeh Johnson to request more resources. As a result, the Customs and Border Patrol has provided additional resources to help protect people and property, but more is needed.

“Today, I also arranged a conference call between Brigadier General Scott A. Spellmon, commander of the Northwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and myself, the governor, the lt. governor, the adjutant general and the superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol. We conveyed directly to General Spellmon what is going on in North Dakota related to the protests.

“The Obama Administration needs to authorize additional law enforcement resources and also authorize the Corps to issue the necessary easement without further delay so that the pipeline situation can be resolved.”

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