10 Inspiring Moments from the #NoDAPL Victory
For now, the Dakota Access Pipeline has hit pause: Yesterday (December 4), the Army Corps of Engineers heard the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s call and denied permits for the pipeline to cross beneath their sacred water source. And that is reason to celebrate—even if with caution, as the Trump administration could possibly reverse the decision.
Colorlines compiled some of the most inspiring moments since water protectors found out about their victory.
- Thirteen-year-old Tokata Iron Eyes told Naomi Klein, “I feel like I got my future back.”
- Water protectors marched through camp carrying “mirrored shields,” as the Guardian described an art project that represented the Silver Water Serpent coming to defeat the Black Snake, the term Native people in the movement used to refer to the pipeline.
Protesters holding mirrors walk through camp for an aerial art project. They called themselves the silver serpent. #standingrock pic.twitter.com/DCQh8m7A13
— Tailyr (@TailyrIrvine) December 5, 2016 - Colorful fireworks lit up the sky the night after the #NoDAPL victory.
This is what victory in #StandingRock looks like :) #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/Hl5urz3TlL
— Medea Benjamin (@medeabenjamin) December 5, 2016 - Water protectors gathered to hug the Native youth who helped launch this movement, many of whom ran from North Dakota to Washington, D.C., to deliver a petition to President Barack Obama.
Hundreds hug young ppl who started #StandingRock protest. Hugs went on for 20+ minutes! Love on steroids #NoDAPL (Video permission rec'd) pic.twitter.com/JrthaVVzrt
— ChuckModi (@ChuckModi1) December 5, 2016 - Native dancers didn’t let the blizzard interrupt their celebration.
Frontline on 1806. #standingrock #nodapl #dapl @billingsgazette pic.twitter.com/QWPTZcTflV
— Bronte Wittpenn (@BronteWittpenn) December 5, 2016 - Journalist Chuck Modi interviewed a Flint, Michigan resident who came to Standing Rock to show solidarity and highlight the parallels between their struggle and his at Flint.
"They're putting pipes in down here that's not wanted. And we're not getting pipes in Flint that's wanted!" #StandingRock #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/hYAr5bkCNL
— ChuckModi (@ChuckModi1) December 4, 2016 - The day after the Corp's decision, veterans who had come to North Dakota to defend water protectors asked for forgiveness for the armed forces’ historical land theft and genocide of Native lives.
Veterans join Native elders in #NoDAPL celebration ceremony and ask for forgiveness https://t.co/qTDPWYXp1z pic.twitter.com/VwspEE6Iki
— Salon (@Salon) December 5, 2016 - The Indigenous Environmental Network tweeted this sign.
Most appropriate exit sign ever. Lol. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/vk0zJaOvcR
— IndigenousEnviroNet (@IENearth) December 5, 2016 - Social media showed which celebrities #StandWithStandingRock.
So much respect and honor to/for you and your victory #standingrock #NoDAPL https://t.co/ysLk6QGx2q
— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) December 4, 2016#Truth! Victory for #StandingRock! Victory for us all!! pic.twitter.com/VMLT1bszkQ
— Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) December 5, 2016The people that defended Standing Rock are American Heroes. God bless you
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) December 4, 2016#StandingRock #PowerToThePeople pic.twitter.com/B4Mm1i5Ih7
— Big Boi (@BigBoi) December 4, 2016Standing Rock Vibes... pic.twitter.com/BskgQuDyIi
— Lupe Fiasco (@LupeFiasco) December 5, 2016
- Some who couldn’t be at Standing Rock realized that yesterday's victory doesn’t mean the fight is over.
Eugene Stands With #StandingRock! #NoDAPL #WaterIsLife #KeepItInTheGround pic.twitter.com/2FkNfRGwCT
— SURJ Spfld-Eugene OR (@SURJSpfldEug) December 5, 2016200+ in Montpelier, #vt calling for @TDBank_US out of #DAPL! #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/bQk7goumie
— RisingTideVT (@RisingTideVT) December 5, 2016