“March 10, 2017, Organizers of the Native Nations Rise march say it was intended as a show of solidarity against a federal government that has long shunted aside indigenous concerns on a range of environmental, economic and social issues.” J.Helm, The Washington Post
An activist puts on a giant “Make America Great Again” hat while protesting outside the Army Corps of Engineers office. A. Wong:Getty Images
“With wet snow falling, the demonstration started just east of Verizon Center, as the marchers set out on a course through downtown. Despite the foul weather, the protesters were in good spirits, cheering loudly and chanting, ‘We’re cold, we’re wet, We ain’t done yet!’ Office workers peered out of windows, some waving or giving the thumbs-up. ‘I’ve never really protested before, but this is so important for everyone,’ said Elizabeth Turnipseed who came to the march with her husband David, a member of the Puyallup tribe in Washington state.’ Our waters are being destroyed, and I’m just tired of them disrespecting Mother Earth.’
Protesters use coup sticks to jab at an effigy of trump in front of his hotel in downtown Washington. Michael S. Williamson:The Washington Post
The march was led in part by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, which has been involved in a long-standing dispute over the Dakota Access pipeline. The tribe has argued in court that the 1,172-mile pipeline threatens its drinking water, crosses sacred lands and was approved by the government without adequate consultation.
photo- Kevin Lamarque:Reuters
Work on the $3.8 billion pipeline, which is owned by Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners, was halted in December by President Obama. The Army Corps of Engineers announced that it would look at alternate routes for the pipeline and that it would undertake an environmental-impact statement.
Native teepees are erected on the Washington Monument grounds by members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe- Bill O’Leary:The Washington Post
But in January, the current administration signed an executive order giving the pipeline project the go-ahead. The Army Corps granted an easement for the oil company to drill under a reservoir on the Missouri River that is adjacent to the Standing Rock Sioux reservation and construction resumed in early February. The company has said it would be just a number of weeks before up to 550,000 barrels of oil a day can begin flowing through the pipeline.”
