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

Lucas Molandes - 12/05/16 - things that matter
credit: CREDIT: NODAPL / INSTAGRAM / NAOMI KLEIN / FACEBOOK

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:

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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’

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