14 arrested, ND State Capitol put on lockdown due to unforeseen DAPL protest activity

The State Capitol Grounds were put on lockdown around 4:15 p.m. Thursday due to unforeseen protest activity, according to the ND Highway Patrol.

The ND Highway Patrol says the protest caused a disturbance to citizens wanting to conduct lawful business and a disturbance to state employees. They say protesters were instructed multiple times to leave and after failing to obey, 14 of them were arrested for disorderly conduct and criminal trespass. One additional protester was arrested outside the Capitol building for disorderly conduct and criminal trespass.

The protesters decided to do a sit-in and attempt to speak with Governor Jack Dalrymple.

The 14 arrested inside the Capitol were part of a group of about 50 protesters who traveled from the camps near Standing Rock to the Capitol Grounds to sing and pray. After they were told Dalrymple was unavailable, they decided to take a lap around the grounds and continue their demonstration.

The group was made up of clergy members from many different religions who wanted to show their solidarity for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.