Standing Rock Pipeline Protest


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The Standing Rock Indians are protesting an oil pipeline near their reservation on  the Missouri River in North Dakota. They are peacefully resisting the  pipeline because it encroaches on sacred lands and burial grounds and would likely pollute the Missouri River which provides the tribe's drinking water. These "water protectors" have been joined by over 200 tribes, and thousands of religious leaders and representatives who have endured water hoses in freezing temperatures and rubber bullets.

The Sioux Indian Nation has filed a lawsuit againt the Army Corps of Engineers and also pleaded with President Obama to intervene for them. In spite of the huge show of support, the media has largely ignored these protests which have gone on for months.

Actually, if oil leaks into the Missouri River it will affect not only the Sioux Indians, but all those who depend on this river for their water supply from North Dakota to Louisiana. This oil fracking could also cause earthquakes in the surrounding area and lead to other environmental disturbances.

The U.S. has a long history of cheating Indians out of their land since the first Europeans arrived. Their concerns are being ignored again.This is another example of racism and injustice. The Indians have a right to demonstrate and to be heard without being treated like enemies.



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