Dakota Access pipeline protesters instructed by Army Corps to leave area by Dec. 5 | Mic

30.11.16

Dakota Access pipeline protesters instructed by Army Corps to leave area by Dec. 5 | Mic: "This decision is necessary to protect the general public from the violent confrontations between protestors and law enforcement officials that have occurred in this area, and to prevent death, illness or serious injury to inhabitants of encampments due to the harsh North Dakota winter conditions," reads the letter, which was reported on by NPR.

The "violent confrontations" have so far included authorities shooting protesters with rubber bullets, deploying pepper spray and tear gas and using a water cannon to douse protesters in below-freezing weather. A woman who allegedly sustained injuries after being struck by a police grenade may lose her arm.

Film director Josh Fox, who was on-site, told NBC News the violence has been largely unprovoked. "The police pepper sprayed people sitting in the water," he said.