Dakota Access Pipeline protestors disrupted a debate in Bismarck Monday night that featured the three candidates for Governor.
The debate – sponsored by the North Dakota Newspaper Association – was held at the Belle Mehus Auditorium. A crowd of protestors – estimated by police at around 150 – gathered outside the auditorium, carrying signs and making speeches. Several then attended the debate, which featured candidates Doug Burgum (R), Marvin Nelson (D) and Marty Riske (Libertarian).
After a question to the candidates about the pipeline, the chanting and shouting began. The protestors shouted "Mni Wiconi (Water is Life)."
"We will never allow this pipeline through," shouted Joye Braun, an organizer with Indigenous Environmental Network. "Not now and not ever."
The debate moderator, Harvey Brock of the Dickinson Press, urged protestors to calm down.
"You guys agreed to our rules," Brock told the protestors. "We are not trying to deny free speech. If you can abide by the rules, you can stay. It you can't, you will have to leave."
Bismarck police escorted several of the protestors out of the building. Others left voluntarily.
More than a dozen police officers were inside the Belle. Other officers from the Bismarck Police Department and the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department were outside. No one was arrested.