If you don't know what's happening at Standing Rock or what the DAPL is, read this first.

Last week, a group of KSC students and I took a trip down to Standing Rock. With only mainstream news/social media informing us, and terrible reports of an incident involving water cannons and concussion grenades, we essentially came in blind to what the situation was really like.

A week later however, we have all reached a greater understanding. This location is one of peace and comfort, bringing feelings of home stronger than your own house. Even though the threat of danger and arrest is high, a few myths must be dispelled.

1. Standing Rock is a Non-Stop Protest

With much of the footage online showing nothing but police altercations, you start to get the image that Standing Rock is literally on the front-lines 24/7. In reality however, it is more of a cultural/religious/community experience. Going to orientation, the first thing you're told is that you need to remember that you are a guest of tribal leaders in an indigenous centered movement. Contrary to popular belief, the leaders are not fans of putting people in harm's way. When law enforcement built a concrete barrier to block one of nearby roads and news spread they were fully armed, the camp immediately made a rule that no one without a press pass was allowed to approach (which, after being informed by two photographers that they were threatened with being shot by police if they got any closer, was understandable). Outside of major direct actions the hope of the camp is to take part in prayer, help to keep everything running (working in kitchens, organizing donations, etc.), and having those that arrive bring home their experiences to teach and encourage others. It's not to say however, that this is a sleep-away camp/vacation/music festival environment. There is a level of understanding that at any time, the camp could be raided, leading to arrests and violence. Also this is a serious issue involving colonization, racism, and hundreds of years of scars that are continually reopened. Therefore, it's advised not to take practices lightly, believe you can fix everything, or spend all your time having jam sessions on your guitar.

2. All of the Police are Violent

The day we left for North Dakota, reports began to come out that police had taken extreme action against activists. Though we knew it was bad, we could have never expected this:

The amount of fear and tension that came out from seeing this was astronomical; though once on sight, I began to notice not all police were on this page. While recording footage at a demonstration, I started to recognize different types of law enforcement. Some local officers held a small-town feel; they didn't seem to be too informed on the issue or have any deep seated frustrations with activists, but merely wanted to bring things back their community to the way they used to be. They just wanted to maintain order, and had no problem with peaceful protests. Others however, seemed to enjoy scaring those involved. One of the journalists I talked to said he was told threateningly by an officer while taking photos that the body armor he was wearing "wouldn't stop armor-piercing rounds". Still others seem to have a greater appreciation for their commands than those around them. This is a complicated issue, so we must make sure not to completely stereotype and demonize an entire group.

3. All Activists Are Completely Calm and Peaceful

To be unbiased, I have to look at both sides of this issue. Even though I am in complete support of the activists side, I can't give the narrative that everyone involved is like MLK or Ghandi. At some of the larger, off-camp events in town, I've heard people yell "pigs" at the police, and claim others were fearful and didn't care because they wouldn't put themselves at legal risk. Even when I, as a journalist and activist, was covering the event, I saw one supporter proceed to flip off both the police and the media including myself (who was honestly there to prevent any brutalities from going unreported). The good thing however, is that this group is relatively small and condemned by leaders. At the camp itself, every action I saw was completely calm and prayerful and we were told to call out any sort of violence or aggression that we witnessed.

4. The DAPL Only Affects Local Tribes

A lot of people think the DAPL is only a concern for those who could loose their land. For those individuals, I ask you to watch this:

A worker for an oil company, watched as his employers proceeded to cover-up and lie about it's leak mistakes. This resulted in the illnesses and deaths of family, friends, and people in his town. Under siege by death threats himself from the company, he blew the whistle and made this short documentary, to which he showed at the camp. Literally risking his life and going into debt for this cause (whereas he could be going into wealth by continuing to work for the company), this man's commitment shows the danger that thousands could be put in by placing an oil pipeline so close to the Missouri River.

Outside of that, issues of government surveillance/police militarization, protection of what is sacred, racism/colonization, and freedom of speech/press are all common themes here. In all honesty, as an average American from any walk of life, this issue of Standing Rock affects you in some form or another.

5. Things Are Getting Better

Now you may remember seeing this article on Facebook, which says that the Army Corps of Engineers halted construction of the DAPL. Some thought that this meant everything was great for now, and things are improving. If you are one of these people, please re-watch the first video.

Then read this.

And this.

And finally, this.

I personally refuse to believe that relocating a group of people under government order (many of whom are descendants of those whom were violently relocated years ago), refusing access to emergency supplies, and the need for Veterans to protect Americans from law enforcement and government to be better in any way, shape, or form. This is why, amidst the tiring of friends and family, I continue to speak up against the DAPL/brutalities and for the people of Standing Rock. This is repeated history folks, a continuous cycle which NEEDS to stop now. Thankfully, with greater media attention this is becoming an unavoidable problem for everyone, but there is still much more work that needs to be done.

If you're interested in helping those at Standing Rock, check out this link to find ways to show your support.