Road closed, drone shot, 83 arrested at Dakota Access Pipeline protests

About 300 protesters trespassed Saturday on private property three miles west of State Highway 1806, along the pipeline right of way, the Morton County Sheriff’s Department said.

Eighty-three were arrested and charged with criminal trespass and engaging in a riot. The protesters “engaged in escalated unlawful tactics and behavior,” such as using bicycle locks and makeshift handcuffs to attach themselves to construction equipment and vehicles, the department said. Some cut holes in doors and put their arms through them covered in concrete casts, fusing their arms to the door.

Drones fly, highway closes

Demonstrations continued on Sunday, leading to the closure of Highway 1806. Hundreds of people gathered on the road, blocking it with rocks, hay bales and other items, making it unsafe for law enforcement to reopen the highway, said Preskey of the sheriff’s department

At least one person was arrested for trespassing as the situation escalated, Preskey said.

Law enforcement shot a drone in the same area after it flew at a law enforcement helicopter “in a threatening manner,” Kirchmeier said.

The helicopter was assisting surveillance of protests near Highway 1806. A sheriff on board said “the drone came after us,” making the pilot and passengers fear for their lives.

The drone was flying directly above officers in violation of Federal Aviation Administration rules, Kirchmeier said. bout 11 a.m. law enforcement fired on the device, which was then landed by the drone operator.

“The FAA has strict guidelines and regulations governing the use of drones around unprotected people and manned aircraft,” Kirchmeier said in a statement.

“The drones being operated near the local protests and the camps south of Mandan generally are not being operated within the regulations. Reports of drones not being operated within the FAA guidelines or in a reckless and unsafe manner are being investigated and forwarded to the Morton County States Attorney’s office.”