Social media shows different angle of dramatic events at Dakota Pipeline

Social media shows different angle of dramatic events at Dakota Pipeline. The dramatic moment protesters were hit with water cannons and other forms of weaponry near North Dakota's Standing Rock Indian Reservation has been documented on social media. The footage and photos that emerged on Twitter and Facebook showed two different sides to the same story: one from the authorities and one from protesters on the ground. According to the Morton County Sheriff's Department, while opposing the controversial construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline on Sunday evening, around 400 demonstrators reportedly turned "riotous" and started a dozen fires near a bridge. The Bismarck Tribune reported that a resulting standoff, which lasted several hours, consisted of authorities blasting the protesters with tear gas, concussion grenades, rubber bullets and water cannons in freezing temperatures. Video captured and posted on social media provided an inside view of the standoff — a moment we might have otherwise been unable to witness — through the eyes of protesters, media outlets and even a drone. Standing Rock Sioux tribe member LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, told The Guardian, "They were attacked with water cannons. It is 23 degrees [-5 °C] out there with mace, rubber bullets, pepper spray, etc. The actions taken by authorities were questioned by the Standing Rock Medic and Healer Council, which claimed people were peacefully assembled and lives were put at risk due to the freezing temperatures. Jade Begay, a spokeswoman for the Indigenous Environmental Network, said at least 167 people were injured from the attacks and seven were taken to the hospital, The Guardian reported.