Yesterday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it would not grant an easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline to go under North Dakota's Lake Oahe—land very near the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's reserve. The pipeline will be rerouted.
"Although we have had continuing discussion and exchanges of new information with the Standing Rock Sioux and Dakota Access, it's clear that there's more work to do," the Army's assistant secretary for civil works, Jo-Ellen Darcy, said in a statement. "The best way to complete that work responsibly and expeditiously is to explore alternate routes for the pipeline crossing."
The move comes as a major victory to the tribe and activists who argue the pipeline would threaten the area's water supplies and could potentially destroy some of the tribe's sacred sites. The growing group protested the construction for months, with celebrities like Shailene Woodley joining.
Following the Army's announcement, she and other stars expressed their joy at the development—and called it out as an example of the power that peaceful protest has in this country.
Below, their posts:
Shailene Woodley
Mark Ruffalo
Solange Knowles
Leonardo DiCaprio
Beth Behrs and Josh Gad
Katy Perry
Jenna Dewan Tatum
Maisie Williams
Zoe Kazan
Emma Watson and Pharrell Williams
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she's not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.
