The Untold Indigenous Victory In The Dakota Pipeline Case

It was only last February when the spotlight was on Standing Rock's protesters and the violent eviction of the camp in North Dakota. Now, four months later, no attention is being paid to a federal court order to make an environmental review of the Dakota Access Pipeline. This new development in the case targets directly Trump's sloppy handling of human rights international standards. 

The move came from federal judge James E. Boasberg in Washington DC, who stressed that the project did not adequately consider the impacts of an oil spill, thus violating the National Environmental Policy Act. 

Tomorrow, June 21st, both parties Energy Transfer Partners and the Standing Rock Sioux tribe will appear before the judge. In the meantime, the pipeline is 100% operational, pumping crude oil through the 1,170 mile line from North Dakota, through South Dakota and Iowa to a distribution point in Illinois.

Trump's Bless: The Target Of Indigenous Peoples

From day one, indigenous peoples' main demand has been on the clear violation of their right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent. On top of this, the tribe considers the extractive project violates Lakota religious freedom and their sacred waters. Both arguments were not enough to stop the company.

The legal argument that against all odds succeeded was the failure to adhere to the national environmental law. Will this be an indigenous victory over one of the most controversial presidents of the US?

Get the insights by reading this piece. 

Their struggle is not yet over; in fact, it is just beginning. In the courts, as well as in the press and public opinion, they may yet win more victories to impede and stop Dakota Access.