(AllHipHop News) The Army Corps of Engineers announced that it has denied a permit that would allow the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline under the Missouri River that crosses into sacred burial sites.
The statement was made on Sunday by Jo-Ellen Darcy, the Army’s Assistant Secretary for Civil Works. She said they would seek other routes for the pipeline. “Although we have had continuing discussion and exchanges of new information with the Standing Rock Sioux and Dakota Access, it’s clear that there’s more work to do. The best way to complete that work responsibly and expeditiously is to explore alternate routes for the pipeline crossing,” Darcy said.
Darcy also stated that future plans would include community involvement.
The Obama administration had previously blocked construction the DAPL in September and, later revealed, that they were considering other routes. Still, Monday December 5th marked the date that protesters, who called themselves protectors, were ordered to vacate the premises. Protectors and tribal officials made an impassioned plea stressing that the drinking water of millions would be polluted and the pipeline would desecrate sacred grounds.
Queen YoNasda, an activist, told AllHipHop that she was ecstatic about the breaking news development.
“I have never been so excited about something since the birth of my sons! This just goes to show what unity can do to make a change. This government and these corporations have been stealing native lands for centuries and because of the resilience of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe , the people of Sitting Bull stood up and said ‘No More!’ she said. “It gave the rest of Indigenous nations hope and strength that yes we can stand against this snake. I pray this is a rippling affect to the rest of the Native lands-like the Oak Flats, Menominee River, the lands in Hawaii and others. I pray that the Standing Rock Sioux Nation and the entire Sioux Nation is now compensated to the other wrongdoings they have done to my people. So today is the first victory of many more victories to come. Our time is now! Our voice has been heard and I pray that we remain that way. We are not extinct!”
AllHipHop has previously talked to protectors of the land and they were on the forefront of the movement.
