UK 0N COUN
SHERIFF ?5 DEPARTMENT

[<er L. Kirchmez'er, Sheri]?

 

Press Release

For Immediate Release

February 2017

Contact Morton County

PIO 701-426?1587 or 701 ~595~3596

Rogue Protesters Arrested, Illegal Camp Closed

Mandan. ND After repeated warnings to vacate a camp being illegally set up on private property in
southern Morton County, south of the Backwater Bridge, approximately 76 members of a rogue group
of protesters were arrested by law enforcement officials today.

Morton County Sheriff?s Department officers met twice on the Backwater Bridge with a group
representing the rogue camp to discuss the illegal camp. The group was told they were committing
criminal trespassing on private property and needed to leave immediately. The group was given a
period of time to start dismantling the camp and leave. They did not show signs of starting to leave
even after multiple warnings and said they would not leave. This led to the law enforcement decision
to take action to enforce the law and evict the rogue group of protesters.

At around 3:30 pm law enforcement officers moved toward the location of the illegal camp and
encountered a large group of protesters trying to block their way to the trail leading to the camp. The
crowd was moved back with a few arrests and the officers proceeded to the illegal camp. They again
asked the rogue protesters to leave the camp but the protesters refused to do so and began to use
active resistance techniques.

?Our law enforcement of?cers conducted themselves in a safe and responsible manner." said Morton
County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier. ?Regardless of this incident it is our desire to continue the dialogue
with tribal and camp leaders so that the camps continue to be cleaned and protesters leave prior to
the flooding season.

Law enforcement showed great restraint. enduring verbal abuse and taunts and protesters resisting
arrest but did not make use of any less-than-lethal munitions. The camp was cleared by around 4:00
pm.

205 First Avenue NW Mandan. ND 58554
Phone (.701) 667-3330 Fax (701) 667-3463
Corrections Phone (701) 667-3318 Fax (701) 667-3216