Pipeline Protesters 'Promise to Protect' Environment 

The recent decision by Nebraska state authorities that gave a go-ahead to TransCanada to build the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, has not stopped determined protesters and environmental activists from continuing with their larger mission to put an end to the "Black Snake" pipeline projects endangering the well being of several communities across the United States. 

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"TransCanada has many hurdles still ahead on Keystone XL, and if they ever run out, thousands of people have promised to be the biggest one," added May Boeve, executive director of 350.org, also backing the petition. 

"This pipeline's route through the upper Midwest has been hampered at every turn for nearly a decade, and we're doing all we can to keep it that way."   

Several activists and protesters in South Dakota launched a "Promise to Protect" petition on Monday in an effort to renew their vows to protect their lands, waters in the regions endangered by the pipelines. 

"We — Indigenous leaders, farmers and ranchers, students, scientists, faith leaders, and more — will make a series of peaceful stands along the proposed pipeline route;  resolute displays of our continuing opposition to a plan that endangers the waters of the Midwest and the climate of our one earth," the petition statement read. 

"Water is life; climate is life–those will be our rallying cries against a project that will endanger both," it further added. 

In two days, the petition that asks signatories to be ready to put their bodies on the frontline for peaceful protests when the need be has already garnered nearly 8,000 signatures.   

"We will make a series of stands along the route – nonviolent but resolute displays of our continued opposition to a project that endangers us all. Join native and non-native communities in the Promise to Protect the land, water, and climate," the petition read. 

Joye Braun, leader of the Wakpa Waste Camp at the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, told Common Dreams. 

"It gives me a great sense of hope and community to see nearly 8,000 people who have signed on to the 'Promise to Protect' our water, our homelands, our people, and to stand in solidarity with us on the ground. Especially our Indigenous communities, our tribes, and our farmer and rancher friends. This is hope, this is power—people power."