A federal judge refuses to block North Dakota Law Enforcement from using excessive force against protesters camped for several months near the site of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Judge Daniel Hovland denied a request for a temporary restraining order filed by the National Lawyers Guild which represented the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and other protesters.
Judge Hovland said the Guild did not follow rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure which requires efforts be made to give notice of legal action to the defendant.
“This is a fact-based case and under the circumstances, the court finds that notice to the defendants for their response is necessary,” ruled the judge. His ruling came days after North Dakota state officials ordered the protesters off U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land by Monday because of approaching winter conditions.
Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump has voiced support for the Dakota Access Pipeline. His transition tam met recently with North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven.
“The Obama administration should approve the easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline without delay, and also provide assistance to state and local law enforcement,” said Hoeven.
The 1,172-mile Dakota Access pipeline will stretch from North Dakota to Illinois and was scheduled to be online in late 2016.