Thousands convened in Lower Manhattan to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline that could threaten the land and water of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in North Dakota.
The rally was set at 4 p.m. in Foley Square at 111 Worth St., one of hundreds scheduled to take place across the U.S. Tuesday, which indigenous leaders have declared a national day of action as part of the #NoDAPL movement.
This day was to urge the U.S. Government and the Army Corps of Engineering to discontinue the production of a pipeline project that will not only cost $3.7 Billion, but damage the tribe’s sacred land and contaminate the water.
“The purpose is to elevate the issue and to encourage the Army Corps to exert its power to stop this pipeline,” Dallas Goldtooth of Indigenous Environment Network told Reuters.
The nationwide protests occur one day after the Army Corps and Department of the Interior postponed making a decision on whether to give Energy Transfer Partners an easement to tunnel under Lake Oahe in North Dakota.
The event includes an indigenous-led opening ceremony, performers, action training and more, including “civil disobedience,” according to the event’s Facebook page. Speakers include Standing Rock spokeswoman Tara Houska, Roberto Mukaro Borrero of the United Confederation of Taino People, Crystal Migwans of NYC Stands with Standing Rock, Pastor Doug Cunningham of New Day Church in the Bronx, who recently went to Standing Rock, and more.
More than 2,400 people RSVPed to attend the event. For more information visit their Facebook site:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1146251982077543/
