Government won’t forcibly remove Dakota pipeline protesters

The Amy Corps of Engineers said Sunday it has “no plans for forcible removal” of protesters camping in North Dakota and demonstrating against the Dakota Access oil pipeline.

{mosads}The Corps said in a Sunday statement that it wants a “peaceful and orderly transition” of protesters to “a safer location,” according to The Associated Press.

The Army Corps sent a letter to the chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe on Friday, saying all lands north of the Cannonball River would be closed on Dec. 5.

The land to be closed includes the main protest site, about 50 miles south of Bismark. Another camp, Sacred Stone, sits on the opposite side of the river and will not be affected by the Army Corps decision. 

The agency said protesters who stay in the main camp after Dec. 5 will be trespassing and subject to prosecution.