You need to know this name: Standing Rock.

Haven’t heard of it? What is occurring there is heartbreaking and the mainstream media has remained almost entirely silent.

The indigenous peoples on North Dakota are in open peaceful protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) being built through their sacred lands and threatening to contaminate the earth itself. Though, protest is the wrong word. They are protectors, seeking to defend the water of their land from suffering the same fate as Flint, Michigan. They seek to protect their land, which holds deep religious and historical value to the Sioux Tribe. The People have united and support has poured in from across the nation. Leaders have even sought help from the United Nations to stop the pipeline.

So, let's look at why the indigenous people of Standing Rock are fully justified to not want the DAPL running through their land. First off, from 2012-2013, North Dakota had not one, not two, but 292 separate oil spills across the state. Two-hundred-and-ninety-two. The media covered ONE of these. And that is but a fraction of the 750 “oil field incidents” that were kept under wraps during that time period. It is this selective coverage that has resulted in irreparable damage to the land of North Dakota, and that is not enough for them. They want to keep going until there is nothing left of the land, and their pockets are bulging.

And now for the statement that will draw ire. Now, I hold a BA in Criminal Justice and an AA in Corrections. What I am witnessing from the police at Standing Rock is not policing. The Hennepin County Police Force and those from the surrounding states who have come to Standing Rock to use violence and intimidation to forcibly remove peaceful water protectors. By definition: terrorism is the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims. They have opened fire on unarmed protectors during their prayers. They have shot and killed the horses of the protectors. They have set their attacks dogs on the protectors. The majority of these guards aren’t even licensed to practice in North Dakota. They are breaking laws left and right but are allowed to get away with it because they wear a badge. But the badge does not make them any less of a dangerous force. They are violating the human and constitutional rights of the indigenous people and need to be held accountable.

As of October 27, 2016, a DAPL employee, who was disguised as a water protector, was arrested after driving his vehicle through a police barricade towards the Oceti Sakowin camp. He was carrying a high capacity assault rifle and Tribal Police were able to trace his vehicle's insurance documents back to the DAPL. The man was sent to begin a firefight with the police and make it appear as though the water protectors were responsible. This is a horrifying tactic that is being used to try to sway public opinion in favor of the DAPL. Do not be fooled.

You may be asking yourself, what can I do?

Well, you can speak to the DAPL in the only language they know: money. You can pull your assets and funds from the 17 international banks that are backing the DAPL. If change is to happen, then a message needs to be sent that this will not be tolerated. The American banks on this list include Wells Fargo, US Bank, Bank of America, Citizens Bank, SunTrust, Comerica Bank, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Compass Bank, Barclays, Community Trust Bank, JPMorgan Chase, ING Bank, PNC Bank, DNB First Bank, and Citibank.

Most concerning, however, is the lack of presidential intervention. President Obama has made a request for the DAPL to cease construction, which they have entirely ignored. Candidate Trump has not made a statement on the events at Standing Rock. And candidate Clinton gave one of the most half-assed, nonsensical responses in recent memory. This is not an issue to start politicking on. Take a firm stance! If you are genuinely qualified to lead this country, then you have to be better than this. I strongly encourage you to contact your local senators or the President himself and demand that action is taken.

I said it once, and I will say it again. The guards and police using violence at Standing Rock are not police. Especially not the unlicensed pretenders. They do not protect and serve. They harass and harm.

There is right and there is wrong. The DAPL is wrong. Period. There is zero justification for this level of atrocity. And, as long as the media keeps the public in the dark, then little will be done to stop them. So, I challenge every single one of you reading this to stand up for what is right. Stand with those who want only clean drinking water and respect for the earth they walk upon.