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Red Deer supporters of Standing Rock plan walk on Monday

Demonstration to show support for those fighting pipeline in Dakotas
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A poster depicts Standing Rock.

A peaceful demonstration walk has been organized in Red Deer to show support and solidarity for an encampment in the United States trying to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Talitha Klym said Thursday that the location of the “Walking for Water” walk on Monday across Taylor Bridge over the Red Deer River was chosen because it is symbolic. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in the U.S. has taken the peaceful stand that it must protect its water and environment after the contentious pipeline was approved.

Thousands of people have gone to the area to support the tribe, and many are living in a camp near the Standing Rock reservation to show support. Earlier this week North Dakota’s governor signed an executive order that demonstrators will be evacuated on Monday.

Klym, who is on the youth council of the Urban Aboriginal Voices Society in Red Deer, said a meeting was held on Wednesday to plan the walk of support. She said they have seen about 200 people indicate on a Facebook page (No DAPL Walk; Red Deer) that they are either interested in or planning to attend the walk.

The Facebook page states: “… this is not just an Indigenous issue or an environmental issue, because this issue affects everyone on this planet.

“If you are not able to make it on December 5th, but this is still an issue that you are concerned about, please do not succumb to apathy. Start a conversation, help to raise awareness on this issue, share this event.

“You are part of a collective movement that transcends nations and is inspiring individuals and groups of people across the globe, and it is your individual action that will keep this movement going, no matter how small.”

There are other supportive demonstrations planned in Canada on the same day as well.

The walk in Red Deer is from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday. It will start at the south end of Taylor Bridge.

Elders and anyone else interested will gather near that bridge at 11:45 a.m. for a smudge ceremony and prayer before the walk.

barr@www.reddeeradvocate.com