Author: Arlyssa Becenti

Shiprock District Court ordered a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order against Dineh Benally and his two companies, Navajo Gold and Native American Agricultural, and shut down production.

Shiprock District Court Judge Genevieve Woody has granted a restraining order against Dineh Benally, owner of Native American Agricultural Company and Navajo Gold Company, allowing the Navajo Nation Police to begin shutting down his hemp farm operations and telling his workers to leave.

Shiprock farmers and residents who have been impacted by Dineh Benally’s hemp production say they haven’t received any relief and on Monday launched their third major protest against hemp farms in the community.

A Monday morning protest against San Juan River Farm Board President Dineh Benally’s hemp farm ended with a fire set to one of his hoop houses. As of Wednesday, police had no suspects in the case.