Des Moines, Iowa — Two people protesting the Dakota Access pipeline were arrested at the Iowa Utilities Board office Wednesday after refusing to leave the building. The pipeline is nearing completion in Lyon, Sioux, and O’Brien Counties and runs from North Dakota to Illinois.
Jessica Reznicek and Travis O’Brennan demanded to see Iowa Utilities Board chair Geri Huser. A video released by Reznicek’s supporters shows them standing and singing in the hallway of the I-U-B building until state troopers told them they were being disruptive and had to leave. Reznicek then sat in front of the door to a conference room and refused to leave.
A trooper then told her she could not stay.
Members of the group, which calls themselves the Water Protectors, started singing again as Reznicek was arrested.
Reznicek had been fasting for the last ten days outside the I-U-B building in protest of the board’s approval of the construction of the pipeline and says she will continue the fast. The group says the oil pipeline will endanger the drinking water of millions of people.
A spokesman for the Iowa Utilities Board says board staff met with one of the protesters Monday morning and provided information to his questions. They also met with a group of protesters Wednesday morning as well and received their questions and noted that they would provide a response by the close of business. The statement says “Public safety officials have been in regular contact with the protesters. The Board received comments from the protesters as well as from other individuals who have contacted the Board on their behalf regarding the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline in Iowa. The Board will continue to assist persons with requests for information regarding the pipeline and Board procedures.
The Board has a process for any landowner or other individual to file a complaint or grievance regarding the construction of the pipeline. Each of the comments received by the Board is reviewed and if it appears the person filing the comments wants to initiate the Board’s complaint process then that process begins.”
The statement also says a lawsuit over the pipeline is ongoing and they are unable to comment on the lawsuit. It says the Board “is investigating complaints regarding construction as they are filed with the board and, if any person decides to file a complaint, the board will follow the procedures required by Iowa law and board rules in addressing the issues raised in that complaint.”
