Protesters Block North Dakota Highway 1806

The protest over the Dakota Access Oil Pipeline has intensified with dozens of arrests and a blocked highway.

Highway 1806 in Morton County has been shut down in both directions due to a large blockade.

Protesters moved hay bales, rocks, tree stumps and other items onto the highway to fortify a roadblock around 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon.

Authorities are also reporting two documented cases where a drone flew at a helicopter in a threatening manner.

The helicopter was assisting in surveillance in the vicinity of the highway blockade.

This all comes after more than 160 protesters were arrested Saturday for trespassing on private property during a riot.

North Dakota Highway Patrol Captain Bryan Niewind said, “The individuals know they are criminally trespassing, they know they are engaged in a protest that is unlawful.  This has been going on for at least two months now.  It’s all basically the same location these people have been coming from and they know legally what they can and cannot do.  We’ve explained that over and over to them.”
 
More than 260 people have been arrested since demonstrations began in August.

The Standing Rock Sioux want construction to stop on the $3.8 billion pipeline, saying it could contaminate the water supply and encroach on tribal burial sites.