Des Moines, Iowa (Radio Iowa) — Two women admitted today (Monday) to multiple acts of vandalism along the Dakota Access Pipeline in Iowa and other states.
Ruby Montoya was joined by Jessica Reznicek outside the Iowa Utilities Board office in Des Moines, where they read from a statement.
Reznicek says they felt they had to take action.
Reznicek then began to detail the actions she says they took to try and stop the pipeline.
She says “our action wasn’t much, but we at least stopped construction for a day at that particular site.” Reznicek says they researched the best way to try and pierce the pipeline and continued their action in March.
Montoya says they were pleased with the way destroying the valves stopped the progress of the pipeline.
The two say the damage to the pipeline valves was kept quiet by the pipeline company and they then moved back to arson, using tires and gasoline-soaked rags to burned multiple valve sites, their electrical units, as well as additional heavy equipment located throughout Iowa.
They attempted to pierce a valve located in Wapallo County in early May and discovered the pipeline was already working.
Reznicek says the company said the delays in the pipeline were caused by what were called “ditch depressions” in the ground.
State Troopers watched as the two women read their statement. When they finished, they pulled a hammer and crowbar from their backpacks and began to tear letters off the Iowa Utilities Board sign behind them. Troopers quickly moved in and arrested them. Sergeant Steve Lawrence talked about their arrest.
Lawerence does not know what other charges they may face for their statements admitting the vandalism to the pipeline. The two women say they will represent themselves in their trial with the help of a lawyer.
The vandalism described by Reznicek and Montoya in their announcement closely resembles damage that was done to the Dakota Access Pipeline south of Hospers, in Sioux County, last March.
Photo at Top of Story: L to R – Jessica Reznicek, Ruby Montoya
Below: Reznicek & Montoya arrested by Iowa State Troopers After Removing Letters From IUB Sign
