A large number of Facebook users are checking in at Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota—but it’s not because they actually traveled to the site of protests between activists and police over the controversial Dakota Access oil pipeline.
Throngs of supporters of the activists appear to be falsely checking in to express solidarity on Facebook, which could potentially confuse police and law enforcement who are tracking protesters at Standing Rock.
According to CNN, hundreds of thousands of people checked in at the reservation, but it’s not exactly clear just how many users took part.
A post that has been circulating on the social media website attempted to provide an explanation as to why people are checking in on Facebook
The post reads:
“The Morton County Sheriff’s Department has been using Facebook check-ins to find out who is at Standing Rock in order to target them in attempts to disrupt the prayer camps. SO Water Protecters are calling on EVERYONE to check-in at Standing Rock, ND to overwhelm and confuse them. This is concrete action that can protect people putting their bodies and well-beings on the line that we can do without leaving our homes. Will you join me in Standing Rock?”
Don’t share, rather copy & paste In solidarity....
The Morton County Sheriff’s Department, however, denied that it is following check-ins on Facebook.
“In response to the latest rumor / false claim circulating on social media we have the following response,” the department said on Monday afternoon. “The Morton County Sheriff’s Department is not and does not follow Facebook check-ins for the protest camp or any location. This claim / rumor is absolutely false.”
The Standing Rock Indian Reservation lies at the center of a controversy that revolves around members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, who are protesting the proposed pipeline. Demonstrations have been taking place for months but tensions have increased in the past week, and at least 140 people were arrested on Friday, police said.
Company officials said that the Dakota Access pipeline would be a safer method to transport oil nearly 1,200 miles from North Dakota to Illinois. Activists argue that the pipeline goes through land sacred to Native Americans and would hurt local water supplies.
