Environmental organizations in two Montana cities are participating in a national rally Tuesday afternoon in support of the ongoing protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota.
Roughly two dozen indigenous rights and environmental groups across the country are organizing events in more than 100 American and a few international cities, including Whitefish and Missoula.
They’re calling for the Army Corps of Engineers to revoke permits for the pipeline on the grounds that the Standing Rock Sioux tribe was not consulted before permits were issued.
"The purpose of this day of support is to just add one more voice to all the voices that are already coming out."
Scott Brant recently returned from delivering donated food and supplies to the Sacred Stone Camp at the protest site. He’ll talk about his recent trip at the Whitefish rally. He will be joined by Chippewa tribal member Richard Smith.
Last Friday, a federal judge denied the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s request to block the pipeline’s construction. Shortly after that, the Obama administration announced a voluntary pause on construction.
The rallies begin at 4:00 p.m. in Whitefish’s Depot Park and Missoula’s Higgins Street Bridge.