Veterans' group criticizes vets joining pipeline protest

The North Dakota Veterans Coordinating Council has sent a letter to the "Veterans Stand for Standing Rock" group asking them not go to the southern part of the state where hundreds are camped out because it'll create more tension and increase the burden on law enforcement, council president Russ Stabler said Thursday.

Citing cold and wintry weather, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has said all federal lands north of the Cannonball River — the camp included — will be closed to public access on Monday and Gov. Jack Dalrymple issued a mandatory evacuation of the camp, though both have said that protesters will not be forcibly removed.

Protesters have complained about excessive force by law enforcement, including the use of water hoses during last month's confrontation in 30-degree weather.

[...] Thursday, the Morton County Sheriff's Department, which has been in charge of much of the law enforcement's response to protesters, released a video of a veteran who is critical of the Veterans Stand for Standing Rock.