The North Dakota Pipeline is a $3.78 billion project that would build a pipeline starting in North Dakota and ending in Illinois. The pipeline was going to be built near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/native-american- protesters-oil-pipeline-north-dakota_us_57b4a481e4b04ff8839a0fac).  If the pipeline broke it would contaminate many rivers and streams that many Native Americans use as a source for clean water. The tribe that live in Standing Rock Reservation began to protest with many others. This has been going on since April and only now there is news on it because the military is starting to use force and weapons against the protesters. I think this shows how much real news we actually get from media and the television. The news and media, in my opinion only seem to care about the ¨important and big¨ new stories which is why the North Dakota Pipeline issue has not come up until now because the military is getting involved and people are getting injured. The issue became more serious when tear gas was being used to move the protesters out of the construction area. I do not agree with the method they used to get the protesters to move, the police could have found a more peaceful way to get their point across without using violence. This issue brings many true things out into the public. The first thing is that people did not know about this and social media was not involved until attacks on ¨Native Americans with dogs and pepper spray” (https://www.democracynow.org/2016/9/4/dakota_access_pipeline_company_attacks_native). That’s when the media and the news started to get involved which makes me upset because it shows how the media and news picks only the “interesting” stories.

More people started to get involved and famous people also began to help out. Through all their peaceful protests and help from many supporters they were able to get the pipeline denied. On Dec. 5, 2016 the Army Corps of Engineers rejected the permit to build the pipeline. The tribe, fellow Native Americans, and many others were celebrating the challenge they were able to pass and overcome. I am so happy because the pipeline is not being built which allows the tribe uncontaminated drinking water. Although this is a happy time I am concerned that we only learned about this recently when this had been going on since April. 

I think we should all support and help out with this cause and many other causes. Helping out not only helps the people struggling, but helps us become more aware with the news.