A protester holds a sing along the pipeline route during a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in St. Anthony, North Dakota, U.S. November 11, 2016.Reuters
The struggle over the Dakota Access oil pipeline heightened as protesters from a number of cities joined the Native tribes who are opposed to the project.
The demonstrators are demanding the US government to stop or reroute the pipeline. Meanwhile, the companies which are responsible for the controversial project filed a lawsuit at the federal court seeking permission to complete it.
According to the organizers, these were the largest demonstrations against the pipeline till date where thousands of people rallied outside Army Corps of Engineers offices, banks and energy companies.
Environmental activists have also joined the protest claiming that the oil pipeline could pollute water supplies and destroy sacred historic tribal sites.
Dozens of people were arrested by the police in Cannon Ball, North Dakota, near the path of the pipeline as the protestors attempted to block a railroad with a pickup truck and later tried to set the vehicle on fire. Have a look at these pictures of the Dakota Access pipeline protests.
A man stands with his fist raised during a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in Mandan, North Dakota, U.S. November 12, 2016.Reuters
Four shell casings are shown after gunfire was heard during a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in Mandan, North Dakota, U.S. November 12, 2016.Reuters
People hold ceremonial objects during a protest march against the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in Mandan, North Dakota, U.S. November 12, 2016.Reuters
A man named Black Horse holds his grandson during a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, U.S. November 13, 2016.Reuters
Protesters are seen behind a banner during a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in Mandan, North Dakota, U.S. November 12, 2016.Reuters
A protester holds up a mirror during a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannon Ball, North Dakota November 6, 2016.Reuters
Police use pepper spray against people standing in the water of a river during a protest against the building of a pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S. November 2, 2016.Reuters
A person pours a pepper spray antidote into a protester's eyes during a protest against the building of a pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S. November 2, 2016.Reuters
People protest against the building of a pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S. November 2, 2016.Reuters
A protesters flies a flag during a stand off with police during a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannon Ball, North Dakota November 6, 2016Reuters
Police stand guard during a stand off with protesters on a bridge during a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannon Ball, North Dakota November 6, 2016.Reuters
Protesters march along the pipeline route during a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in St. Anthony, North Dakota, U.S. November 11, 2016.Reuters
People wear gas masks next to the pipeline route during a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in St. Anthony, North Dakota, U.S. November 11, 2016Reuters
Protesters occupy an island near their encampment while police stand guard during a protest against the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannon Ball, North Dakota November 6, 2016.Reuters
