Why We Sabotaged the Dakota Access Pipeline
Interview with Eco-Saboteurs Ruby Montoya and Jessica Reznicek
WE WILL BEAR WITNESS to our world. This media project collects stories from earth's citizens, recording climate destruction, devastation, resilience and hope.
Tell your story.
Why We Sabotaged the Dakota Access Pipeline
An interview with eco-saboteurs, Ruby Montoya and Jessica Renzicek
On July 24th 2017, Ruby Montoya and Jessica Renzicek released a press release admitting that they had carried out multiple acts of sabotage against the then-under-construction Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) in Spring 2017.
The two activists set fire to heavy machinery and used blow torches to damage the oil pipeline and valves in an effort to decisively halt the project. While the DAPL was ultimately finished, their actions singlehandedly delayed construction for months.
The two women were charged in 2021 for multiple felonies and sentenced to 8 years in prison after the judge applied a terrorism sentencing enhancement, applicable to crimes "calculated to influence or affect the conduct of government" by intimidation, coercion, or retaliation. That enhancement increased the original recommended sentencing range 37 to 46 months, to 210 to 240 months — a maximum of 20 years.
Interviewed by Deep Green Resistance on July 26th 2017, Jessica and Ruby call on others to consider similar tactics in their struggles against pipelines and other destructive projects.
WE WILL BEAR WITNESS to this moment in history. This media project features stories from earth's citizens, recording climate destruction, devastation, resilience and hope. Tell your story.