Protests over the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline in North Dakota have been going on for months. But this past weekend things turned violent, BuzzFeed News reports. While the clashes happened on the borders of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s reservation, Alternet reports that members from 200 Native American tribes have come together to try to stop construction of the pipeline, which was recently approved by federal government.
When protesters reportedly broke through a fence and got close to bulldozers that were starting construction on the project, a full-blown altercation began between private security guards and protesters. Security guard dogs even left some protesters hurt, and around 30 people were pepper sprayed. The crowd dispersed when officers showed up to the scene, according to the Associated Press.
Not only are protesters worried about the construction of the pipeline desecrating ancient burial grounds, the pipeline also poses a problem to Native hunting and fishing grounds. Past oil spills on Native land have caused serious problems—some as recently as May of this year—and Native Americans are worried the pipeline might permanently damage their water and irrigation sources. Those behind the pipeline of course deny any detrimental effect on the environment.
Protesters hope to stop construction on the pipeline permanently. The Standing Rock Sioux have gone to court, arguing that Energy Transfer Partners should never have been allowed to start building the pipeline in the first place, according to NPR. A federal judge is supposed to rule on Friday whether or not to grant an injunction in response to the tribe’s request. These petitions have been denied in the past, and many are pointing to Standing Rock as another example in a long history of Native Americans being ignored and oppressed.
If completed, the pipeline will stretch over 1,174 miles of the country, reach four states and have cost the country $3.8 billion.