things that matter

Dakota Access Pipeline Halted For Now, But Trump May Change That Soon

CREDIT: NODAPL / INSTAGRAM / NAOMI KLEIN / FACEBOOK
By December 5, 2016 at 3:01 pm

After months of being on the receiving end of tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons in sub-freezing temperatures, Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) protesters finally have a reason to rejoice. On Sunday, President Obama effectively halted plans to build the pipeline under the Sioux’s Missouri River reservoir, putting an end to the contentious standoff between authorities and protesters. In the aftermath of President Obama’s verdict, activists, celebrities, and politicians took to social media to express their joy.

America’s favorite politician, Bernie Sanders, used Facebook to express his trademark common sense and compassion.

screen-shot-2016-12-05-at-11-28-03-am
CREDIT: U.S. SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS / FACEBOOK

Bernie reminds us that we’re celebrating something that shouldn’t have even been an issue in the first place, saying, “In the year 2016, we should not continue to trample on Native American sovereignty.”

Mark Ruffalo sent a very heartfelt “thank you” to those who had engineered the protester’s victory.

Dakota Access Pipeline Denied by Army Corps of Engineers! No win is ever permanent but we can rejoice today because together we created greater justice in the world, we opened the door to heal the old wounds sustained by our indigenous people. President Obama will leave the White House as a great chief of America for this. We must all thank the Native Youth who started this movement who started the camp and ran all over the USA to stop this from happening. It is for them, the unborn and the voiceless that we persist in the struggle. We must also have compassion for the Police who were on the other side of this struggle but are still our brothers and sisters.

Posted by Mark Ruffalo on Sunday, December 4, 2016

Posted by Mark Ruffalo on Sunday, December 4, 2016


Not only is Ruffalo green in the movies, playing the Hulk, he’s also green IRL.

Rosario Dawson, one of DAPL’s most outspoken critics, was understandably excited.


For the last few months, Dawson’s Twitter feed was always up to date on the latest news coming out of DAPL.

Author Naomi Klein posted a video of 13-year-old Tokata Iron Eyes, one of the originators of the DAPL protests.

“I feel like I have my future back.”
Celebrating victory with Tokata Iron Eyes, 13 year old water protector, Standing Rock

Posted by Naomi Klein on Monday, December 5, 2016

CREDIT: NAOMI KLEIN / FACEBOOK 

The joy on Iron Eyes’ face, as she says, “I feel like I have my future back,” is exactly why these protesters fought so hard to keep the pipeline away.

Current fave for the DNC chair, Keith Ellison, was “inspired” by the victory.


In an official statement, Ellison echoed Bernie Sanders’ sentiments, saying, “We have a responsibility to respect the sovereignty of the Standing Rock Tribe, and to ensure their voices are heard.”

Pharrell Williams saw the protest as proof that change comes when people work together.

Speaking of the people, the joy was quick to spread on Twitter.

A victory for Standing Rock is a victory for democracy.

On the other hand, many people aren’t convinced that the DAPL struggles are over.

For many, this is just the eye of the storm.

President-elect Trump has already stated that he is in favor of the pipeline.

Not to mention, Trump has stock in Energy Transfer Partners, the company responsible for the pipeline’s construction.

This fact hasn’t escaped social media’s radar. Many are convinced that this victory will fall when Trump takes office.


These claims aren’t the result of conspiracy theorist’s over-active imagination.

Kelsy Warren, CEO of the DAPL’s parent company, ETP, is confident Trump will approve the pipeline.


In an interview with CBS This Morning, Warren stated that the protesters would lose in the end, saying, “They will not stop our project. That’s naïve. They’re not stopping our project.”

In an official statement released by Warren’s company:

screen-shot-2016-12-05-at-1-17-47-pm
CREDIT: ROLLING STONE / INSTAGRAM

As stated all along, ETP and SXL are fully committed to ensuring that this vital project is brought to completion and fully expect to complete construction of the pipeline without any additional rerouting in and around Lake Oahe. Nothing this Administration has done today changes that in any way.

Standing Rock is well aware of Trump’s interest in the pipeline. The chairman hopes to talk to him about the potentially harmful consequences of DAPL.


Standing Rock Sioux chair, Dave Archambault told Reuters, “The current administration did the right thing and we need to educate the incoming administration and help them understand the right decision was made.”

As uncertainty looms, victory brings hope to those who have fought so hard for what was already theirs.


Read: ‘You Told Us To Our Face That As Long As You’re In The White House You Had Our Back’

Like this story? Click on the share button below to send to your friends. 

Tags: ,

Lawsuit Between Selena's Father And Chris Perez Puts Miniseries On Hold

Things That Matter

Lawsuit Between Selena’s Father And Chris Perez Puts Miniseries On Hold

CREDIT: CHRIS AND SELENA / THE HUNDO.P / INSTAGRAM
By Lucas Molandes December 5, 2016 at 4:17 pm

Last month, mitú reported that “To Selena, With Love,” Chris Perez’s 2012 memoir about his relationship with Selena, had been optioned for an upcoming television miniseries by the production company Endemol Shine North America. However, thanks to a lawsuit brought on by Abraham Quintanilla Sr., Selena’s father, the miniseries is facing cancellation.

The lawsuit stems from an old agreement between Perez and the Quintanilla family.

screen-shot-2016-12-05-at-2-26-44-pm
CREDIT: SELENAANDCHRIS / INSTAGRAM

In May of 1995, according to the Quintanilla estate lawsuit, Chris Perez signed an agreement that he would not profit from Selena’s name “by way of a book, television series, movie, or any other motion picture medium.” In exchange, Perez was given 25 percent of the “net profits derived” from Selena’s estate, and the Quintanilla family would retain “all proprietary rights in the name, voice, signature, photograph, and likeness of Selena…”

According to the contract, Perez had no legal authority to sell his book, let alone option it to television.

View this post on Instagram

Finally hene 😍 #selena #toselenawithlove

A post shared by Veronica Murillo (@veromurillo78) on


The book, which currently holds a 5-star rating on Amazon, is adored by fans.

Fans have taken to social media to express their anger over the lawsuit.


https://twitter.com/Biancalouie02/status/805275410414137344

It’s not fair to have to pick sides…

…but most people seem to be on Chris’ side.


Hopefully the two parties can work this out for the sake of Selena and the fans who don’t want to see her name in court like this.

Read: Chris Perez’s Memoir About Selena Will Be Turned Into A Television Series

Recommend this story to a friend by clicking on the share button below. 

Tags: Quintanilla, Selena
We recommend
In Case You Need A Laugh, Here Are Some Tweets And Memes To Reflect How People Feel About The Inauguration

So. Many. Emotions.
Chase Bank Sued For Discriminating Against Black And Latino Customers

In one of its final moves, the Obama administration hit JPMorgan Chase & Co. with a one-two punch in the form of two discrimination lawsuits: one for discriminating against black and Latino mortgage borrowers and another for discriminating against their own female employees. On Wednesday, the U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the largest bank in the […]
After Mounting Pressure From Activists And Politicians, President Obama Finally Granted Clemency To Oscar López Rivera

CREDIT: OUR REVOLUTION / YOUTUBE It took the efforts of serious political heavyweights and more than 100,000 petition signers, but Oscar López Rivera finally had his 70-year sentence commuted by President Obama. According to the Department of Justice, López Rivera was convicted of “seditious conspiracy” against the U.S. and has remained in prison since August 11, 1981. As UPI reported […]

Paid Promoted Stories