Dakota Access Pipeline: Veterans build shelters for Standing Rock protesters
More than 2,000 vets have signed up with Veterans Stand for Standing Rock
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Military veterans are building shelters to house protesters at the Standing Rock reservation on Friday to help support the ongoing demonstrations against the multibillion dollar Dakota Access Pipeline project.
More than 200 veterans are also following through with their promise to act as human shields to protect protesters from authorities who have become violent in recent weeks injuring hundreds of activists in the frigid weather.
If the 1,172-mile-long pipeline is completed, it would send 470,000 barrels of crude oil under the Missouri River each day. A leak could contaminate the Sioux community’s drinking water supply.
Over 2,000 vets have signed up with the Veterans Stand for Standing Rock group on Facebook and more volunteers are expected to join the demonstrations over the weekend.
On Friday night, US Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced that the Department of Justice has been in constant talks with both sides hoping to reduce tensions. Meanwhile, the transition team with President-elect Donald Trump said on Thursday that he fully supports the completion of the project.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.