North Dakota National Guard to provide backup to law enforcement

The North Dakota National Guard will be activated to assist local law enforcement responding to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests south of Mandan, according to an announcement on Thursday by Gov. Jack Dalrymple.

Dalrymple said the decision was made "out of an abundance of caution" in order to free up law enforcement to patrol Morton County and the Bismarck-Mandan area.

Several armed guardsmen will be posted at a checkpoint along Highway 1806 south of Mandan, which has been reopened. They will provide information about road hazards to drivers passing through.

http://m.bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/north-dakota-national-guard-to-provide-backup-to-law-enforcement/article_57090461-12d0-5376-bf6b-041a4511ce4f.html