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.
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.
?The People United Can Never Be Defeated!!! #UpToUs #MniWiconi #WaterIsLife #PeoplePower ?#TheStruggleIsReal (& #WorthIt! ) #JusticeForAll ? pic.twitter.com/qT76Zh78hh
— Rosario Dawson (@rosariodawson) December 5, 2016
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 RockPosted 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.
My statement on the Dakota Access Pipeline decision: pic.twitter.com/TzPy8mrbdX
— Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) December 5, 2016
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.
Solid proof that people coming together can change things for the better. https://t.co/5fLEGFYpmR
— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) December 4, 2016
Speaking of the people, the joy was quick to spread on Twitter.
Decision to halt the #DAPL shows the power of protest in our democracy. #StandingRock water protectors made this possible. #NoDAPL
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) December 5, 2016
A victory for Standing Rock is a victory for democracy.
A monumental victory for Indigenous people on halting #DAPL. The world is now watching #StandingRock and so are we https://t.co/5u2Sh1ptvO pic.twitter.com/ypuM6x1Jl8
— Amnesty UK (@AmnestyUK) December 5, 2016
On the other hand, many people aren’t convinced that the DAPL struggles are over.
We gotta b on guard!! @BernieSanders @MarkRuffalo @cnn @ChrisCuomo @maddow https://t.co/GolpN0O54q
— John Leguizamo (@JohnLeguizamo) December 5, 2016
For many, this is just the eye of the storm.
.@zhaabowekwe: "It took thousands… of people to effectuate this… Knowing the Trump administration is coming, this fight is not over" #DAPL pic.twitter.com/43y7aqOdec
— Democracy Now! (@democracynow) December 5, 2016
President-elect Trump has already stated that he is in favor of the pipeline.
Transition team communications director: Trump supports construction of #DAPL, will review situation after he’s in the White House.
— NPR (@NPR) December 5, 2016
Not to mention, Trump has stock in Energy Transfer Partners, the company responsible for the pipeline’s construction.
Donald Trump's stock in Dakota Access oil pipeline raises concerns https://t.co/FtKe63B2xT #NoDAPL #DAPL #TrumpLeaks
— Tomtom (@forevertoremain) December 5, 2016
This fact hasn’t escaped social media’s radar. Many are convinced that this victory will fall when Trump takes office.
Trump has stock in ETP & will make money from DAPL. Stand Fast Standing Rock and please stay #NoDAPL #StandFastStandingRock
— Lynn Manyfires (@LynnManyFires) December 5, 2016
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.
ETP CEO puts faith in Trump Administration; Corps stops DAPL – https://t.co/yEX4XZvg0j pic.twitter.com/poWqBQ6uxV
— The Moderate Voice (@ModerateVoice2x) December 5, 2016
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:
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 chairman tells @Reuters he hopes to speak with Trump about #DAPL project: https://t.co/VswzFBZA9a pic.twitter.com/ChGqCXmj6A
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) December 5, 2016
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.”