Sen. Al Franken Criticizes Use of 'Water Cannons' on Dakota Access Pipeline Protesters

Minnesota Sen. Al Franken criticized the use of "water cannons" in sub-freezing temperatures in a letter addressed to the Department of Justice. Franken urged U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to "protect the safety and First Amendment rights of Dakota Access Pipeline protestors."

Video showing Dakota Access Pipeline protesters being sprayed with water Sunday night lead to immediate and widespread criticism of law enforcement. Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said in a Monday news conference that his department does not have water cannons, but that water hoses were used.

Franken said he is extremely concerned after hearing reports of "dangerous clashes" between police and individuals protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline project near Cannon Ball, ND, and said the use of water for crowd control in sub-freezing temperatures is excessive, unnecessary, and extremely dangerous.

"The reported use of water cannons for crowd control in sub-freezing temperatures is excessive and unnecessary, and I urge you to take action to protect the First Amendment rights of protestors, and the physical safety of all involved parties," Franken wrote.

"Native American populations have struggled for decades under the complex burden of historical trauma, and I have witnessed and admired how these communities have turned to their cultural foundations to build strength against that burden. These tactics against protestors exercising their Constitutional rights threaten to add another layer of trauma to these communities. I urge you to do everything in your power to prevent further escalation of violence."

Kirchmeier defended the use of hoses Sunday night, saying "We're just not going to let people or protesters in large groups come in and threaten officers, that's not happening."

Image via Morton County Sheriff's Office