In Pictures: Protest over Energy Transfer Partners' Dakota Access oil pipeline

Since early September, activists have had a stand-off with the authorities over Energy Transfer Partners' Dakota Access oil pipeline near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation in Cannon Ball, North Dakota, US. The Dakota Access pipeline is slated to be a 1,886km underground pipeline that will transport crude oil from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota to a refinery in Illinois. The Standing Rock Sioux tribe and their supporters are concerned by the damage the drilling will have on the environment, and their native land. Teepees, tents and other makeshift shelters have sprung up over the area and activists are planning to stay put to stop the drilling under the Missouri river. The protests have been taking place in different parts of the country.

Updated

Published

Dec 09, 2016, 02:19 PM

Actor Mark Ruffalo speaking during a climate change rally in solidarity with protests of the pipeline in North Dakota at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, California, on Oct 23, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Horse riders from the Bigfoot Riders, Dakota 38 Riders, Spirit Riders and the Bigfoot Youth Riders arriving at the Oceti Sakowin camp during a protest of the Dakota Access pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, on Nov 5, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Snow covering the ground at Oceti Sakowin Camp on the edge of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation outside Cannon Ball, North Dakota, on Dec 3, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

Arvol Looking Horse, spiritual leader of the Sioux nation, participating in a ceremony in Oceti Sakowin camp as "water protectors" continue to demonstrate against plans to pass the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, on Dec 4, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Actor Shailene Woodley with Native Americans on stage during a climate change rally in solidarity with protests of the pipeline in North Dakota at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, California, on Oct 23, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Activists at Oceti Sakowin near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation brace for sub-zero temperatures expected overnight outside Cannon Ball, North Dakota, on Dec 6, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

Hawk Laughing, a Mohawk originally from northern New York, helping to build a teepee at Oceti Sakowin Camp on the edge of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation outside Cannon Ball, North Dakota, on Dec 3, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

Police using a water cannon on protesters during a demonstration against plans to pass the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, on Nov 20, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Snow covering Oceti Sakowin Camp near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation outside Cannon Ball, North Dakota, on Nov 30, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

A protester is arrested by police next to the pipeline route during a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in St. Anthony, North Dakota, on Nov 11, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Members of the clergy from across the United States participate in a prayer circle in front of a bridge where protesters are facing off against police during a protest of the Dakota Access pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, on Nov 3, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Several hundred feet of pipe can be seen off ND Highway 1806 as construction continues on the Dakota Access Pipeline near the town of Cannon Ball, North Dakota, on Oct 30, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Construction continuing on the Dakota Access Pipeline near the town of Cannon Ball, North Dakota, on Oct 30, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Caro Gonzales of Olympia, Washington, praying in front of police during a protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline between the Standing Rock Reservation and the pipeline route outside the little town of Saint Anthony, North Dakota, on Oct 5, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Chief Arvol Looking Horse, spiritual leader of the Sioux Nation, leading his people to peacefully pray near a law enforcement barricade just outside of a Dakota Access pipeline construction site north of Cannon Ball, North Dakota, on Oct 29, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

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