Jill Stein and Green Party presidential competitor, charged after pipeline protest

A North Dakota judge issued a warrant Wednesday for the capture of Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, who is blamed for spray-painting construction equipment amid a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline. Court records show Stein was charged Wednesday in Morton County with offense counts of criminal trespass and criminal mischief. The same charges have been recorded against her running mate, Ajamu Baraka. Stein campaign spokeswoman Meleiza Figueroa couldn’t instantly comment on whether Stein plans to turn herself in.

Activists welcomed Stein to leave a message at the protest site close to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s reservation on Tuesday, Figueroa said, and Stein sprayed “I approve this message” in red paint on the sharp edge of a bulldozer. A court report demonstrates Baraka painted “decolonization” on a bit of construction equipment.

Morton County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Rob Keller said the warrant has been recorded and if authorities somehow managed to run over Stein, “they would arrest her.”

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is attempting to stop construction of a section of the $3.8 billion US four-state pipeline that tribal leaders say would violate sacred and culturally sensitive grounds and possibly pollute water. Prior to the charges were filed, Stein said in a statement that she hoped North Dakota powers authorities “press charges against the real vandalism taking place at the Standing Rock Sioux reservation: the bulldozing of sacred burial sites and the unleashing of vicious attack dogs.”