Friends stand with Standing Rock Sioux
Friends protest in solidarity with Standing Rock Sioux
American Quakers staged a protest in New York City on 13 September in solidarity with Standing Rock Sioux, who are battling efforts to build an oil pipe-line through their ancestral lands.
Friends called on the United States government to instruct the Army Corps of Engineers to revoke the permits for the Dakota Access Pipeline.
The pipeline, if built, will run for almost 1,200 miles, carrying crude oil under Lake Oahe, the Standing Rock Sioux tribe’s main water source, and through their sacred burial grounds.
Sylke Jackson, of Rockland Friends Meeting in New York, was there. She told the Friend: ‘We have been hearing about the native people’s inspiring commitment to protecting their lands from the Dakota Access Pipeline.
‘When we found out that Quakers were organising an event to support Standing Rock Sioux, we called around that same day and a bunch of us decided to head to the protest together.
‘We love our planet and know that we will need to come together with people from far and near to protect this good earth. About 175 people gathered at Washington Square Park to share our concern and call for a halt to the pipeline project.’
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