Lawrence city leaders sat before a fired up group of students for the second day in a row on Wednesday morning.
In a special meeting, they pledged support with Native American activists against the Dakota Access Pipeline project, and with Black Lives Matter members.
These are the letters of solidarity @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/eCOUZMIlTj
— Sarah Plake (@SarahPlakeTV) September 7, 2016
The groups held a sit-in the night before at the regular commission meeting, demanding solidarity with current issues facing their communities. That meeting stretched for 6 hours.
Native students thanking @lawrenceks for standing in solidarity, but urging leaders to keep their word pic.twitter.com/EBos11s3YO
— Sarah Plake (@SarahPlakeTV) September 7, 2016
Mayor Mike Amyx and commissioners promised to write formal letters pledging support that night, and read them aloud Wednesday morning.
He read, in part, "We share the concerns that the 1100 mile pipeline carrying over one and a half million barrels of crude oil per day across several Midwestern states could jeopardize the precious and life sustaining water resources of many Midwestern communities. In conclusion, the city of Lawrence, Kansas values and honors the original inhabitants of our nation's land. We wish to express our strong support of the indigenous peoples' opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline."
The statement was met with applause, thanks, and looks of some relief on students' faces.
"This letter just shows that Lawrence will stand with no DPAL, which stands for Standing Rock and for the Black Lives Matter unit. Both populations have experienced a lot of distress and abuse from the more larger society that affects all of us. Our communities have a lot of relatable problems," Haskell Indian Nations University senior Kaana Watchman said.
Amyx also approved a letter of support with Black Lives Matter, noting that they recognized black people in Lawrence still feel oppressed on a daily basis.
Shaking hands with city commissioners after letters of solidarity pic.twitter.com/bSdaPikqno
— Sarah Plake (@SarahPlakeTV) September 7, 2016
Many students said they wished the city would have shown support on their own.
"I do want to bring to everybody's attention in this room, because of the methods we had to utilize to bring about these two letters, again the city has allowed the marginalized to become targeted and get framed as bullies. So in the future what I need you guys to do is to do this on your own accord, so it can be sincere and authentic," student Trinity Carpenter said.
"We really had to ask you guys for something, when I think that it should've been welcomed with open arms," Landri James said in a passionate speech. She's the president of KU's First Nations Student Association.
Amyx said the city will work with those groups in the future to understand the issues they face, but it's unsure what that will entail.
"I want people in my community to feel good about the community," Amyx said. "That is what this is about. I can promise people everything, but in the end, no matter what your background or walk of life, you've got to feel good about your community."
Students told commissioners they should use their power and privilege to bring awareness to the city about the Dakota pipeline, which is a threat to Native American communities.
The pipeline would pump crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois. It wouldn't go though Kansas or Missouri, but would go under the Missouri River. It sparks outcry that the pipeline will break eventually, contaminating water and polluting the environment.
"I believe it's significant here and in Lawrence because of Haskell. A lot of Haskell people come to school from different backgrounds, from reservations and off reservations, and eventually make friends with different people who may not see your point of view, but understand you're all here for education and to help your people," Watchman said. " I think this has really pushed tribes, and especially my generation, because this is what we've been taught our whole lives - that there will be a time where we have to step up."
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and thousands of others are protesting the pipeline's construction in North Dakota. They report that important cultural and historical markers on their reservations have already been destroyed because of the pipeline.
The protests turned violent recently, when protesters were reportedly met with security guards, pepper spray, and vicious dogs.
It hits home with student Hanna White Bull, who is from the area, and just got back from protesting up north.
She said she hopes Lawrence city leaders will keep their word.
"I promise from the bottom of my heart," Amyx said.
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Sarah Plake can be reached at Sarah.Plake@KSHB.com
