MANDAN, N.D. (KFGO) - Thankgiving Day was no holiday for many people in Morton County as there were multiple Dakota Access Pipeline protests. The concern was great enough that authorities sent out a Code Red electronic alert to residents in the Bismarck-Mandan area's. The recorded message warned those traveling in the area to be alert and that "rioter's in the area are intent on creating an unsafe environment for the public."
Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier says anti-pipeline supporters conducted protests at three locations including the Backwater Bridge, an area known as Turtle Hill where an estimated 350 to 400 protesters were observed wearing body armor and masks and yelling "remember 73," a reference to the violent American Indian Movement protest at Wounded Knee, South Dakota.
Protesters also violated federal regulations by using drones to harass and check out law enforcement. One drone was flying so low that an officer was able to knock it down with his hand.
Several hundred protesters left the camps and made their way to east Main and Memorial Highway in Mandan. Authorities say some wore holsters, gas masks and carried slingshots. Protesters were also seen carrying a dead pigs head on a stick. Two protesters refused orders to leave and were arrested.
By 6 p.m. Thursday the protests had de-escalated.