Meanwhile, local law enforcement fired on two unmanned media drones, claiming that "protesters attacked a helicopter with a drone," and that the helicopter pilot and passengers were "in fear of their lives."

The weekend developments marked a distinct heightening of tensions between self-proclaimed water protectors and law enforcement. Roadblocks went up on State Highway 1806 on Sunday, as water protectors declared eminent domain and set up a new winter camp on private land known as Cannonball Ranch. The property was recently purchased by Dakota Access pipeline company, a subsidiary of Energy Transfer Partners, developer of the pipeline.

The Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council Fires) camp coordinator Mekasi Camp-Horinek said Oceti Sakowin's new frontline camp — just east of State Highway 1806 and 2.5 miles north of the Cannonball River, along the proposed path of the pipeline — is part of an occupation that is planned to persist "until the pipeline is permanently stopped."