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North Dakota veterans group does not support national vet group joining DAPL protest

The Chairman of the North Dakota Veterans Coordinating Council spoke to reporters today ahead of upcoming involvement of a veterans group with demonstrations at the Dakota Access Pipeline next week.

Russ Stabler says the organization does not take any position on what is happening with DAPL demonstrations, in support of either the protesters or law enforcement. But he wants to make it known that the NDVCC does not support activities by veterans at Standing Rock. He says the NDVCC was contacted by a veterans group called Veterans Standing for Standing Rock, compiled of a couple thousand veterans from all over the country. He says they plan to assemble in North Dakota from December 4th thru the 7th, and they have reached out to North Dakota veterans groups for support and help with recruiting local veterans to protest.

"The VSSR plans to assemble in platoons and company formations at the front of the line to face what they have identified as their enemy, and opposing forces - the Morton County Sheriff's Office, and multiple state police agencies."

Stabler says the group states plans to "protest peacefully." He says it has been communicated to the VSSR that North Dakota veterans groups do not support these actions, and will not become involved. He says protesters have cost the state over 10 million dollars, and have defaced veterans memorials in Washington DC and North Dakota. He says these are not actions veterans should be taking part in.

"Standing by those who conduct or who have conducted this kind of behavior cannot instill a good image on our veterans or our veteran community. The VSSR decision to involve themselves with this unlawful activity in unnecessary, disgraceful and not reflective of the veteran community."

Stabler says veterans organizations in North Dakota are urged to stay away from the activities at Standing Rock. He says adding more people to that area only creates more tension and complications for law enforcement.

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