from Earth First! Newswire
As of yet there is no clear narrative of events as they transpired.
This morning, about 80 land defenders halted construction of the first US tar sands mine in Utah.
It was reported through Tar Sands Resistance via Twitter that a group of people blocking the road were released without charges on site, while three people locked-down were arrested.
It was then reported that arrested people were being put into a police van as it was surrounded by protestors chanting “Let them go!”
Reports that follow claim that police brutality occurred, and two activists were injured. One activist was taken immediately to the hospital, and another is being treated at the jail.
19 people were arrested at the site in total.
As more activists went to the Uintah County Jail to provide assistance to those arrested (for instance, finding out what bail would be set at), two more activists, including Cindy Spoon of Tar Sands Blockade, were arrested.
Tar Sands Resistance then reported that the Sheriffs Department surrounded Uintah County Jail with police officers and leashed police dogs in order to “deter” protesters.
Activists have expressed a need for people to “please call Uinta County Jail and demand release of our allies who are PEACEFULLY Expressing their First Amendment right to Free Speech & protecting our land! 435-781-5422″
Also support the bail fund donating here: https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/donate-jail-support-for-the-utah-tar-sand-action
We’ll keep you posted!