Several Join Rally in Los Angeles Against Climate Change, North Dakota Pipeline

In Los Angeles, several people assembled on Sunday to march against climate change. They also aim to show solidarity for activists demonstrating against the construction of an oil pipeline in North Dakota.

A number of Hollywood stars, including Susan Sarandon and Mark Ruffalo, were present. They joined the more than 800 people who participated in the climate rally in MacArthur Park. Rallyists chanted slogans like “water is life” and carried signs urging to “shut it all down now”

Sarandon told the rally that the problem is not only environmental but it’s a problem in terms of social justice as well. “We can do it. We can stop fracking. We can stop the pipeline. But really it’s only because of great numbers of people,” she added.

Also among celebrity attendees was actress Shailene Woodley. The actress was detained in North Dakota earlier this month. Police arrested her while protesting the conceived pipeline in an incident live-streamed on Facebook.

In North Dakota, authorities arrested at least 80 demonstrators on Saturday after fighting with police near a pipeline construction site, the local sheriff’s department said.

For several months now, the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and environmental advocates have been opposing the construction of the 1,100-mile (1,886-km) pipeline in North Dakota. They say it endangers the water supply and sacred sites.

The pipeline would be the first to take Bakken shale from North Dakota straight to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast. A consortium of companies led by Energy Transfer Partners LP is building the pipeline.

According to supporters, the pipeline would offer a more cost-effective and safer way to transport Bakken shale to the U.S. Gulf than by rail or road.

No arrests this time

In Los Angeles, demonstrators gathered into the night denouncing oil pipelines, hydraulic fracturing and climate change as dangers to the safety of future generations. There were no reports of arrests at the rally.

“I’d rather walk miles today to protest the building of the pipeline than have my children walk miles to get clean water in the future,” Steffany Urrea, a 22-year-old college student, said.

 

The post Several Join Rally in Los Angeles Against Climate Change, North Dakota Pipeline appeared first on Newsline.

Actress Pleads Not Guilty in Pipeline Dispute

On Wednesday, actress Shailene Woodley pleaded not guilty to allegations coming from her eminent arrest with 27 other people, court documents show. They were apprehended while protesting the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline.

According to court documents, Woodley’s attorney entered the pleas to misdemeanor counts of engaging in a riot and trespassing. However, the 24-year-old star was not present for the brief hearing in Morton County District Court in North Dakota.

Woodley was seen on camera being taken into custody. She had been broadcasting the October 10 protest on Facebook Live. The rally was held at a Dakota Access pipeline construction area about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of the town of St. Anthony.

The actress said she had been quietly heading back to her car when officers grabbed her by her jacket. They also told her not to continue.

Police said Woodley was among the last people arrested at the time after she left private property.

Aside from acting, Woodley is known for her environmental activism. She has beforehand joined members of North Dakota’s Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to protest against the $3.7 billion project.

The 1,100-mile (1771-km) pipeline would be the first to bring Bakken shale from North Dakota straight to refineries on the US Gulf Coast. A consortium of companies led by Energy Transfer Partner LP is building the pipeline.

The construction of the pipeline, called Dakota Access, has been hampered by demonstration causing delays to the planned start of operations in the fourth quarter of this year.

The tribe believes that the pipeline would damage historic and culturally significant sites. Moreover, it would leave its land exposed to contamination from oil spills.

Pipeline cheaper and safer alternative to rail and road transport

On the other hand, supporters say it would provide a more secure and cost-effective way to move Bakken oil shale to the US Gulf than by rail or road.

Woodley co-starred in the recently released film “Snowden”. She portrayed Lindsay Mills, former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden’s girlfriend.

Edward Snowden revealed information concerning the US administration’s widespread surveillance programs. Hence, he fled the United states in 2013 and was allowed asylum in Russia.

 

The post Actress Pleads Not Guilty in Pipeline Dispute appeared first on Newsline.