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Protesters celebrate as army halts Dakota pipeline work

Native Americans and activists celebrate the decision to halt plans to construct an oil pipeline through tribal lands.

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A crowd gathers in celebration at the Oceti Sakowin camp after it was announced that the US Army Corps of Engineers won't grant easement for the Dakota Access oil pipeline in Cannon Ball, North Dakota. [David Goldman/AP]
Published On 5 Dec 2016

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A celebration erupted at the main protest camp in Cannon Ball, North Dakota, where the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and others have been protesting against the 1,172-mile (1,885km) Dakota Access Pipeline.

The US Army Corps of Engineers said on Sunday that it had turned down a permit for a controversial oil pipeline project running through North Dakota, in a victory for Native Americans and climate activists who have protested against the project for months.

“The Army will not grant an easement to cross Lake Oahe at the proposed location based on the current record,” a statement from the army said.

Protesters have said the $3.8bn project could contaminate the water supply and damage sacred tribal lands.

“I hope they follow through here with this. They haven’t been following the law all along. So we’ll see – but this is a victory today for our people and our water,” said Native American Gerad Kipp, 44, an irrigation engineer from Missoula, Montana.

Standing Rock Chairman Dave Archambault II thanked activists for their support in the protest effort.

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'It's not a 100 percent victory. But I think the people who have been here for almost eight months have earned the right to be excited today,' said Eryn Wise, 26, an organiser with the International Indigenous Youth Council. [Lucas Jackson /Reuters]
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North Dakota pipeline
Fireworks explode above tipis inside the Oceti Sakowin camp as celebrations continue after the Army Corps of Engineers denied an easement for the $3.8bn Dakota Access Pipeline to pass adjacent to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, near Cannon Ball, North Dakota. [Lucas Jackson/Reuters]
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Army veteran Nick Biernacki, of Indiana, prays at the Cannonball River in the Oceti Sakowin camp. Tribal elders asked the military veterans joining the large Dakota Access pipeline protest encampment not to confront law enforcement officials. [David Goldman/AP]
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Activists at the camp were seen hugging each other and letting out Native American war cries on Sunday, but many remained wary, knowing that President-elect Donald Trump has voiced support for the line. [David Goldman/AP]
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A young Native American man rides his horse through the snow near the Oceti Sakowin camp near Cannon Ball, North Dakota. [Lucas Jackson/Reuters]
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Protests grew in size throughout the autumn, with hundreds of veterans flocking to the camp in recent days to stand against what they said were aggressive law enforcement tactics. [Lucas Jackson/Reuters]
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Chief Arvol Looking Horse of Green Grass South Dakota, the spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Sioux Nations, listens to speakers inside the Oceti Sakowin camp near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. [Lucas Jackson/Reuters]
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Protest organisers had for months argued that crossing the Missouri River adjacent to the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation presented a danger to their water source. [Stephanie Keith/Reuters]
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It may prove to be a short-lived victory, however, because Republican President-elect Donald Trump has said he supports the project. [Stephanie Keith /Reuters]