Neil Young, Daryl Hannah Pen Message to Standing Rock Protestors
Neil Young and Daryl Hannah have penned a passionate plea to Barack Obama and a message of solidarity regarding the Standing Rock protest.
Young and Hannah’s Facebook statement comes after police fired rubber bullets and water cannons at protestors at the site of proposed Dakota Access Pipeline, an altercation that sent nearly 20 protestors to the hospital.
“We are calling upon you, President Barack Obama, to step in and end the violence against the peaceful water protectors at Standing Rock immediately,” the duo wrote.
“Your growing activism in support of freedom over repression, addressing climate change, swiftly replacing a destructive old industries with safe, regenerative energy, encouraging wholistic thinking in balance with the future of our planet; that activism will strengthen and shed continued light on us all. These worthy goals must be met for the all the world’s children and theirs after them. This is our moment for truth.”
Young and Hannah recently visited the Standing Rock protest site, where the rock legend played music among the protestors who have gathered near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Young also wrote about his experiences at the protest site and promised, “We will be going back to support the water protectors again.”
The pair called upon Obama to take action now because, other than the escalating tension between the protestors and law enforcement – the Army Corps recently gave the protesters’ camp an eviction notice – the tenor of the protest could change dramatically when President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
“The surprise president elect was not the winner of the popular vote [and] does not have a mandate for the change of ideals envisioned. Keep in mind, close to over two million more people voted for another candidate,” they wrote without referring to Trump by name. “Nor is the surprise president the leader of the free world. Two hundred of the world’s nations believe in science, above the profits of the oil, gas and coal industries, and are committed to working together to protect the future from an unchecked climate crisis.”
Young, whose “Indian Givers” also tackles the issue of the NoDAPL protest, and Hannah added in conclusion, “Unintimidated, stand, speak up and show up. Be counted. Be like our brothers and sisters at Standing Rock. Be there if you can. The progress we have made over two hundred and forty years as a nation, has always come first from the people.”
Read the entire statement and see video Young filmed at Standing Rock alongside his Peace Trail “Show Me” below: