Water protectors at Standing Rock have been protesting the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline since summer. Just today, thousands of veterans arrived at the site to assist in the protests and fight against the possible toxification of water that would flow across tribal lands. With the winter cold just arriving and making it more difficult than ever for the Standing Rock campers to live on the land safely, a major win arrived for the movement.
The federal government, after months of wavering, denied the pipeline a final permit, which means it will be at least temporarily halted and re-routed away from Sioux waters, including the Missouri River. While this isn’t the end of the battle, it is a huge win for the movement at this stage and is being celebrated not only at the site but by high-profile supporters from around the country. From Matt McGorry to Chance the Rapper, celebrities from all corners chimed in with their excitement about the news.
THIS IS A HUGE VICTORY!THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE STAND UP!THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DEMAND JUSTICE! #NoDAPL #StandWithStandingRock https://t.co/NyNtVersAQ
— Matt McGorry (@MattMcGorry) December 4, 2016
BREAKING! ARMY CORPS WILL NOT ALLOW EASEMENT! THEY WILL BE REQUESTING AN ENVIRO IMPACT STATEMENT!!! (statement from Standing Rock! #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/CDJUJzdr4W
— Matt McGorry (@MattMcGorry) December 4, 2016
Major victory for Standing Rock Sioux & all other water protectors who joined them. Congrats!
— Al Gore (@algore) December 5, 2016
So much respect and honor to/for you and your victory #standingrock #NoDAPL https://t.co/ysLk6QGx2q
— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) December 4, 2016
Stunning victory at StandingRock! When's the last time the federal gov't was defeated by the Native peoples? Inspiration for what's ahead…
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) December 4, 2016
The people that defended Standing Rock are American Heroes. God bless you
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) December 4, 2016
Congratulations my dear relations! https://t.co/0u0ZLYXZ7F
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) December 4, 2016
Many tweets noted the power of peaceful protesting in a situation when it would be easy to give in to more drastic methods. Others simply noted how nice it is to see positive developments after so many depressing news cycles.
Solid proof that people coming together can change things for the better. https://t.co/5fLEGFYpmR
— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) December 4, 2016
PROOF THAT YOUR VOICE ACTUALLY MATTERS! 🙏🏼🙌🏼💪🏼😭 https://t.co/tAwL0a9y9E
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) December 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/rosemcgowan/status/805540564611530752
Protesting does no good huh???? Ahhh. Elated with this decision. A rose bud of hope in what has been a tragic, fearful fall! #VICTORY pic.twitter.com/f6GWoSvr2k
— Beth Behrs (@BethBehrs) December 4, 2016
Peaceful resistance, even in the face of human rights abuses, wins. Love wins. The arc of justice bends to what is good. 🙏🏼 #MniWiconi https://t.co/wPLnYx9BRZ
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) December 4, 2016
Bravo Army Corps of Engineers, bravo Standing Rock, bravo Sioux Nation. You've taught us all something of great value. Stand your ground!
— Sally Field (@sally_field) December 4, 2016
— Susan Sarandon (@SusanSarandon) December 4, 2016
It is so good to get some good news in these troubling times. #standingrock https://t.co/oikA1zT4px
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) December 4, 2016
Power of the people. We can make a difference. Never forget that. #DAPL
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) December 4, 2016
Billy Eichner, ever the jokester, tweeted about taking credit for the win because he had tweeted about it a few times before.
Just FYI I am taking full responsibility for the Dakota Pipeline victory. I tweeted about it. Thank you. #EmmyforBilly #ThankYouBilly
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) December 4, 2016
Other long-time supporters of the Standing Rock protests, such as Shailene Woodley and Rosario Dawson, retweeted support and information about the news. There is still a long road to ensuring the injunction actually stays, but right now everyone at Standing Rock deserves a day of happiness and celebration after so much hard work.