After months of debates, major news broke about the status of the Dakota Access Pipeline route. On Sunday evening (December 4), the Army Corp of Engineers announced that it will seek an alternate route for the pipeline to avoid the Native American land in North Dakota.
The news was celebrated with tremendous joy from the thousands of protesters that stood with members of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe for months. Protesters believe that the pipeline could be hazardous and damage the water supply of the reservation near the proposed construction site.
After the announcement, Chief Arvol Looking Horse, Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe, told a crowd of protesters, “People have said that this is a make it or a break it, and I guess we made it.”
Despite the news, many celebrators are cautious to stay content. Tribal leaders shared concerns with the media, stating that the decision to change direction may not be permanent, especially with the changing administration and the large group that wants the project to move forward.
“I’m really happy that I’m here to witness it and celebrate with a lot of my elders and the youth, but I think that we also need to keep in mind that we need to be ready to keep going,” said protester Morning Star Angeline Chippewa-Freeland.
Meanwhile, Dallas Goldtooth, lead organizer for the Indigenous Environmental Network, said in a statement, “More threats are likely in the year to come, and we cannot stop until this pipeline is completely and utterly defeated, and our water and climate are safe.”
For now, despite any pending challenges, those who fought to reroute the pipeline can breathe a sigh of relief.
The DAPL fight has been making waves in the celebrity news headlines with many famous faces, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo, joining protesters at Standing Rock.
Yesterday, many shared their praise for the decision on the social universe. Here are some of the top tweets:
Congratulations my dear relations! https://t.co/0u0ZLYXZ7F
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) December 4, 2016
THIS IS A HUGE VICTORY!THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE STAND UP!THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DEMAND JUSTICE! #NoDAPL #StandWithStandingRock https://t.co/NyNtVersAQ
— Matt McGorry (@MattMcGorry) December 4, 2016
This is EVERYTHING! 💪🏽🇺🇸🙏🏽#victory https://t.co/tz2OXiKonw
— Kate Walsh (@katewalsh) December 4, 2016
soooo how many #NoDAPL babies you think are going to be made tonight?! 👅
— Shailene Woodley (@shailenewoodley) December 5, 2016
Per U.S. tradition, took WAAAY too long for gov’t leadership to stop this disgusting, tyrannical violence. UNITY still has value. #NoDAPL
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) December 5, 2016
PROOF THAT YOUR VOICE ACTUALLY MATTERS! 🙏🏼🙌🏼💪🏼😭 https://t.co/tAwL0a9y9E
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) December 4, 2016
Solid proof that people coming together can change things for the better. https://t.co/5fLEGFYpmR
— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) December 4, 2016
— Susan Sarandon (@SusanSarandon) December 4, 2016
Congrats 🎈 🎉 protesters of #NoDAPL #StandingRock @MarkRuffalo @BernieSanders @SusanSarandon @rosariodawson @CNN @KeithOlbermann pic.twitter.com/AUPUN2m6Y8
— John Leguizamo (@JohnLeguizamo) December 4, 2016
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