【My Mothers Friend 5】

The My Mothers Friend 5dramatic moment protesters were hit with water cannons and other forms of weaponry near North Dakota's Standing Rock Indian Reservation has been documented on social media.

The footage and photos that emerged on Twitter and Facebook showed two different sides to the same story: one from the authorities and one from protesters on the ground.

According to the Morton County Sheriff's Department, while opposing the controversial construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline on Sunday evening, around 400 demonstrators reportedly turned "riotous" and started a dozen fires near a bridge.

The Bismarck Tribune reported that a resulting standoff, which lasted several hours, consisted of authorities blasting the protesters with tear gas, concussion grenades, rubber bullets and water cannons in freezing temperatures.

Video captured and posted on social media provided an inside view of the standoff -- a moment we might have otherwise been unable to witness -- through the eyes of protesters, media outlets and even a drone.

Standing Rock Sioux tribe member LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, told The Guardian, "They were attacked with water cannons. It is 23 degrees [-5 °C] out there with mace, rubber bullets, pepper spray, etc. They are being trapped and attacked. Pray for my people."

The actions taken by authorities were questioned by the Standing Rock Medic and Healer Council, which claimed people were peacefully assembled and lives were put at risk due to the freezing temperatures. In a statement on its official Facebook page, the medics wrote, "As medical professionals, we are concerned for the real risk of loss of life due to severe hypothermia under these conditions."

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Jade Begay, a spokeswoman for the Indigenous Environmental Network, said at least 167 people were injured from the attacks and seven were taken to the hospital, The Guardian reported.

Morton County Sheriff's Department also revealed that as of 1 a.m. on Monday, about 100 to 200 protesters remained at the bridge and one person had been arrested.

According to the Associated Press, authorities say the use of water spray in below-freezing temperatures against Dakota Access oil pipeline protesters was "necessary, and they won't rule out doing it again." Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier explained that authorities used fire hoses to "repel aggressive protesters who were throwing objects including rocks, asphalt and water bottles at officers. One officer was hit in the head."

UPDATE: Nov. 21, 2016, 5:10 p.m. EST Updated with comments from the Associated Press as of 3:30 p.m.

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