West Chester University Students and residents from around the area protested the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in the academic quad on Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Led by York College student Michelle Malcolm, the event was held to spread awareness of the detrimental consequences of the pipeline and to take action by calling North Dakota state and federal authorities. The Dakota Access Pipeline is a 1,172 mile long crude oil pipeline that, if completed, will stretch from North Dakota to Illinois in order to produce crude oil for major refining markets.
According to the Dakota Access LLC, the $3.78 billion investment will create more than 8,000 jobs to produce and transport oil in a more cost effective and environmentally friendly manner. Construction on the project has already begun but is not yet finished.
However, millions of Americans, including the participants at Tuesday’s protest, are unhappy with the pipeline’s construction because of the harmful effects it will have on both the environment and its surrounding communities.
According to Malcolm, who organized the demonstration, “The 1,170 mile long Dakota Access Pipeline would threaten the drinking water for 18 million people.”
Furthermore, “the pipeline would continue our nation’s dependency on fossil fuels and would also harm the ecosystems of surrounding plants and animals.”
Additionally, there are also complaints of social injustice at the hands of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Corporations and construction companies have damaged the lands of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other indigenous people while building the pipeline. There have also been serious questions raised in regards to the actions taken against protestors at Standing Rock and other areas along the pipeline. Peaceful protesters have often been attacked with brute force in the form of rubber bullets, pepper spray, unlawful arrests and other injustices.
Some people would argue that the unethical treatment of the men, women and children fighting against the pipeline is enough to shut the production down for good.
“The money-hungry, powerful one percent have abused Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other indigenous people who do not have the money or resources to properly fight this corporation. They have built on land that was given to the Indigenous people through treaties from the U.S. government, with no regards for the people, their ancestors, or the treaties,” Malcolm said.
For these reasons and many more, Americans all across the country are doing what they can to protest, halt production and raise awareness of this issue that has largely been ignored by major media organizations. Malcolm organized the protest on Tuesday with the help of her sister, Melanie, and various online networks. Overall, Malcolm was very pleased with the successful turnout and believed it to be a step in the right direction in the fight against big corporations.
“Fighting big corporations and corruption is a steep uphill battle, but when you see all these people you’ve never met, all out fighting the same fight as you, it gives you a huge, reassuring boost,” Malcolm said.
At the protest, participants were encouraged to call the White House to demand that President Barack Obama rescind the Army Corps’ permit for the fast-tacked production of the pipeline. Participants were also encouraged to call the Army Corps of Engineers and North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple and ask that they rescind the Army Corps’ permit for the pipeline. The permits would allow for continued construction and completion if regulatory approvals are granted.
Gracie McDonough, a freshman at West Chester University, enthusiastically supported the fight against the pipeline at the protest and said, “I care about our future environmentally. Clean water is a human right and should not be ruined here in the U.S.”
Currently, Obama has halted the production of the pipeline, but CEOs and many corporations involved believe that the project will continue through to completion. Whether or not Obama will approve the completion of the pipeline remains to be seen.
Those looking to take action can make a difference by doing research and boycotting certain banks and fuel companies that sponsor the pipeline. To make an immediate impact, call the White House and Army Corps of Engineers or sign the national petition and demand for the ceased production of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Andrew Heller is a fourth-year student majoring in English with a minor in journalism. He can be reached at AH804286@wcupa.edu.