For two years ongoing, the Standing Rock Sioux have opposed the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, a structure that to many represents unrelenting and inconsiderate corporate interests that continually threaten the Native American way of life. In April, demonstrations including prayer circles on the reservation and other peaceful forms of protest began, but since the number of participants has grown, so too has the extremity of methods used by the government to calm these outcries. Included on the docket are 1st amendment violations, the arrests of over 140 protestors, and the militarization of local police forces.

Teagan Goth, head of the Green Team here at Coronado, has commented on the issue, saying, “I definitely agree and sympathize with the Dakota Pipeline protesters. It is not a smart move. The further expansion of the crude oil industry is a step in the wrong direction. While it may in the short term spur economic growth, it will create far more damage. The region’s delicate ecosystem is threatened by the possibility of the pipe bursting (and there is never a guarantee that it won’t). Not only does it harm the environment, but threatens human rights.”

The pipeline- an enormous piece of infrastructure that will stretch over 50 counties and 4 states- is being built by the Texas-based company Energy Transfer Partners. The purpose of this project is to transport the crude oil supply from the Bakken Oil Shale to an existing pipeline in Patoka, Illinois. It will stretch over 1,172 miles, and will transport an estimate of 470,000 barrels of oil per day. The pipeline proves a complication for the Sioux tribe because although the pipeline does not directly run through the reservation, it threatens the reservation’s sole water supply and several sacred burial sites.

On August 11, protesters marched onto the construction site and prevented the workers from working on the pipeline, so 13 of the participants- ”water protectors” as they are referred to-  were subsequently arrested.

Rob Keller, Morton County’s spokesman, explains “You cannot march onto and hinder, go on private property and and stop construction–that’s illegal.”

The arrests of such famed actors like Shailene Woodley and Mark Ruffalo have lead the story to gain national attention. The actress, Woodley, was arrested for criminally trespassing and engaging in a riot, but has pleaded not guilty at her court hearing. In addition, Amy Goodman, a journalist for Democracy Now! was arrested for trespassing while covering the protest.

Tensions between the protesters and the police have escalated further. Especially considering last week, where protesters threw Molotov cocktails at officers, set cars on fire on Highway 1806, and one woman even fired a gun at an officer. However, the tribe has openly denounced the violence, and disavows any association with these radical protesters.

According to the tribe, police have used unnecessary force in handling protesters; for example, police have been seen sporting riot gear and using pepper spray, concussion cannons, rubber bullets, and other tactics.

The Obama Administration has temporarily blocked construction in September to conduct a review, but a federal court had intervened to allow construction to continue. No additional steps have followed, and Obama has yet to officially comment on the issue. Since the federal government has authority over the permits, it will be the next administration that has the power to cancel the project. Hillary Clinton has refused to comment, and Donald Trump, owning stocks in Energy Transfer, has only spoke of removing regulations on the oil and gas industry.

What will happen if the demands of the protesters are actually appeased, no one knows. What is the purpose of these protests if the Dakota Access Pipeline is truly an unstoppable force? The tribe’s only hope would be the intervention of the federal government, and with unresponsive candidates, the future looks meek.