Last week, Divergent actress Shailene Woodley joined a group of over 200 protesters demonstrating against the construction of the $3.8 billion, 1,1000 mile Dakota Access Pipeline. Woodley has become the face of the movement that is hoping to halt digging that the group feels is insensitive to the history of some in the area. The protest resulted in a dozen protesters being arrested for disorderly conduct or criminal trespass. Woodley was not among those arrested.
Woodley joined actresses Rosario Dawson and Riley Keough in protesting the project — set to run through parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, and Iowa — because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved ground breaking without a full environmental assessment, something many believe is a slap in the face to Native American history in the area. The project has garnered lots of attention for Hollywood, including Leonardo DiCaprio asking people to ‘Take a Stand’ back in May.
According to the celebrity website Look To The Stars, Woodley got involved in the protest to make sure Native America’s voice was heard.
“It is our responsibility to learn the narrative in which Native Americans recall their own history and are walking their own history, and this is a beautiful opportunity for that,” added Shailene Woodley. “Because not only are we saying enough is enough to the fossil-fuel industry but we’re saying enough is enough to silence. That’s why this fight is so profound to me.”
Woodley posted video to her Facebook page of herself and fellow demonstrators marching in Washington, D.C., providing updates as the group completed a 2,000 mile relay to raise awareness to their cause. Woodley tells The Bismarck Tribune she isn’t just showing face, she’s in this fight for the long haul.
“I’ll be here until we win, a week or a year. I’m out here because I believe clean water is a right for everyone; I’m here because I’m a human being and I want to have children some day, so it’s also my responsibility to make sure that all babies, all children have water,” Woodley said. “The end is when they (the pipeline) pack up and leave. I stand in solidarity with these people.”
(Via Wtop)
