People rallied in Barrie on Saturday to show their support for the many activists demonstrating against plans for a pipeline in North Dakota.
For months thousands of activists in North Dakota have been demonstrating against the plans for a $3.7 billion dollar project that will transport oil across four states. The pipeline would run beneath a lake on the Standing Rock Reservation, and under the Missouri and Mississippi rivers
The fear is someday that pipeline could leak
Protests began in the US this spring when the Dakota access oil pipeline received approval to begin construction.
The battle started in North Dakota but demonstrations have spread. More than 100 people stopped traffic as they marched through downtown Barrie on Saturday.
“The goal here is to raise more awareness and compassion for the issues that are happening in North Dakota at Standing Rock,” says one man at the rally.
People traveled from Meaford, the Blue Mountains and beyond to take part in Saturday’s march.
“I think it's important that the community came together in solidarity for water today and we are one of the most beautiful water front communities so of course we are standing up for water, we understand it,” says Sarain Fox.
“It's brings me to tears when I come home and see the news what they are doing to people there. It's about water, it's about life and the future” says Maggie Paterson.
According the Dakota Access, the company building the pipeline, it will be state of the art and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
Many at the rally say pipelines are a Canadian issue too.
“With the recent passing of the Kinder Morgan pipeline it's setting a precedent of corporate interests over people, so this is all our fight,” says Dan Stabb.
The protestors at Standing Rock have been given a deadline of December fifth to clear their camp. They have vowed not to move.
