Lakewood's Nickie Antonio Criticizes Governor Kasich Sending Troopers to North Dakota Pipeline Protest

LAKEWOOD, OH - State Representative Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, issued a statement responding to Governor John Kasich's decision to send state highway patrol to help tamp down the growing controversy surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline. The statement prompted a response from the governor's team and led to mutual accusations of clamoring for press attention and confusing priorities.

Kasich deployed 37 state troopers to the region because protests against the pipeline have grown so severe. The officers left Saturday, responding to a request for support from North Dakota officials.

The pipeline would be constructed close to a Native American reservation prompting a non-violent protest from tribes in the region. The protesters cause quickly became a viral media sensation. President Barack Obama recently announced that the U.S. Army Corps is examining alternate routes for the pipeline. In the meantime, protests continue.

“If the governor wants to truly be responsive to an emergency, he need not look beyond his home state. Communities across Ohio are in desperate need of additional resources to combat the growing opioid crisis that has already claimed an historic number of Ohio lives," Antonio said. "First responders, treatment providers and local law enforcement have been stretched perilously thin by the opioid and heroin crisis, but so far the governor has refused to free up critical additional state resources by recognizing the crisis for the statewide emergency that it is."

Antonio went further, saying the governor is instead dedicating resources to "defend the private property interests of a Fortune 500 natural gas cooperation." She added that she believes Kasich is looking for ways to keep his name in the press.

Kasich's team quickly replied, noting the immense resources the state already dedicates to fighting addiction and accusing Antonio of looking to drum up interest in herself during election season.

“Ohio is investing $800 million a year to fight drug abuse and addiction at the state and local level and has worked to develop one of the nation’s most aggressive and comprehensive approaches to this complex epidemic, so we have little time to engage in the cheap, partisan politics that an overheated election season brings," said Emmalee Kalmbach, Kasich's press secretary.

Photos from Antonio's Office and Kasich's Office