Statement: HECHO in Solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

The following is a solidarity statement from Camilla Simon, Director of Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO), with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
 
“We stand in solidarity with the members of the Standing Sioux tribe fighting to protect their ancestral sacred lands against the construction of the Dakota access pipeline. The use of excessive force, including attack dogs and pepper spray, is simply unacceptable."

“We commend the Obama Administration through the Department of Justice to halt the project and ensure proper public review of the project. This process needs to follow the protocols and directions of the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to prevent abuses from companies and affectation to natural resources."

“We need to learn from this situation and make sure that moving forward all decisions regarding the management of our public lands fully consults the voices, wisdom, and traditions of all stakeholders and communities directly affected by these decisions.”