November 26, 2016 – The battle at Standing Rock

With far less press coverage than it deserves, a battle has been playing out in North Dakota between local and federal law enforcement on one side and Native American activists and environmental advocates on the other. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s radio show and podcast, we’ll take you to the front lines of the battle for clean water and Native American rights.

Host Rev. Welton Gaddy will be joined by Sioux activist Lee Ann Eastman, a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, who has been on the front lines of the conflict. She’ll provide a firsthand account of the aggressive use of force by militarized police against peaceful demonstrators, leading to numerous injuries and, it appears, even the loss of a limb for one young woman. Listen in for a history of the conflict and to hear what’s keeping the protestors from giving up. CLICK HERE FOR EXTENDED INTERVIEW VIDEO AND TRANSCRIPT

Welton will also be joined by Rev. Donna Schaper, an environmental advocate and senior minister at Judson Memorial Church in New York, for a report on the just-concluded United Nations Climate Conference in Marrakesh. We’ll get her impressions on the conference, including the role played by faith voices, and ask about the prospects for fighting climate change now that Donald Trump is headed to the White House.

Finally, Welton will be joined by Interfaith Alliance president Rabbi Jack Moline to discuss the critical importance of defending true religious freedom in the coming months and years. As the debate rages on about likely appointees in a Trump administration, there’s been a documented surge in acts of hate and even violence targeting people based on religion and other characteristics. Find out how Interfaith Alliance is rising to the challenge.