Dakota Pipeline Protestors Hang Banner From Rafters at NFL Game
Brian Freeman
Two protesters against the Dakota Access Pipeline climbed the rafters of U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday to unfurl a large banner during the NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears in Minneapolis, The Hill reported.
As the sign, which read "Divest #NoDAPL," was hung, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that organizers sent a news release saying, "We are here in solidarity with water protectors from Standing Rock to urge U.S. Bank to divest from the Dakota Access Pipeline."
The protesters say that U.S. Bank has tens of millions of dollars in credit lines with the pipeline's parent company.
The game continued during the demonstration, although stadium officials cleared six rows of fans who were seated below the protesters, according to Minneapolis Patch.
The protesters stayed up on the rafters for more than an hour before coming down and being arrested by police, who said they would be charged with trespassing, SB Nation reported.
Opponents of the pipeline say its route "violates treaty rights of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and poses a significant threat drinking water and the health of the Missouri River."
Construction of the pipeline was halted last month when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied a permit for the section plotted to go under the Missouri River in North Dakota.
However, President-elect Donald Trump has indicated that he supports the pipeline's completion, so the protesters' victory is considered in danger of being overturned.
http://www.newsmax.com/US/dakota-pipeline-protest-nfl/2017/01/01/id/766356/?ns_mail_uid=3262027&ns_mail_job=1701845_01022017&s=al&dkt_nbr=omguejfq