Was it not a crackdown on illegal activity that was taking place there? Sure it was. And you are right, this is not the whole story. This "peaceful" group has been terrorizing honest hard working people in this area by blockading roads, theft, slaughtering and butchering cattle, vandalizing equipment, destroying fences, and assaulting people. It is merely a group of bored misguided miscreants who feel disenfranchised from the real world because they want everything but are not prepared to go to school and learn real skills beyond basket weaving.  
It is a very ignorant statement to say the pipeline benefits a couple of people. Does the Alaska pipeline do the same? Of course not. It is the lifeline of this state and we all benefit.
The police were very patient here considering they were spat on, they had rocks and molotov cocktails thrown at them, they were threatened, they were SHOT AT! 
I support the peace officers here. Good job guys and ladies! The majority supports your effort.