North Texas protesters gather at a "No DAPL" protest held in Dallas in 2016. Photo courtesy of Rhiannon Woodward.

Sept. 5, 2017 

North Texas environmentalists are joining a national day of action against Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, the parent company of Dakota Access, LLC, which developed the controversial Dakota Access pipeline

The Stop Energy Transfer Partners protest, organized by the Dallas arm of the San-Antonio-based Society of Native Nations, will be held at ETP’s headquarters on Sept. 8 at 3:30 p.m. 

Yolonda BlueHorse and Eric Reed, Society of Native NationsDemonstrators plan to march from the ETP building in Dallas to the home of Kelcy Warren, founder and CEO of the company.

The 1,200-mile Dakota Access pipeline, which runs from North Dakota to Illinois, became commercially operational in June despite months of extended protests from Native American groups who say the pipeline threatens sacred burial grounds as well as the quality of water nearby. 

Yolonda BlueHorse, center, with Eric Reed, attorney for the Society of Native Nations, right, at a protest at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office in Dallas. Courtesy of Yolonda BlueHorse.

“My main focus has been aimed at the head of the snake,” Yolonda BlueHorse, organizer for the Dallas protest on Friday. “We have had more than seven rallies [in Dallas] regarding Dakota Access, including several at ETP headquarters and one in front of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office.”

BlueHorse, a South Dakota native and member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe, said ETP is putting sensitive ecosystems at risk and bullying landowners via eminent domain laws to build pipelines where they are not wanted.

“Our main goal is get people educated about what’s going on,” said BlueHorse. “There needs to be a movement to get rid of fossil fuels and this is part of that movement.”

Several North Texas groups will be participating Friday including include the Coalition for Environmental Justice -North Texas; Codepink; Dallas Peace and Justice Center; Democratic Socialists of America - North Texas; Earthworks; Veterans for Peace; System Change, Not Climate Change; along with Bold Louisiana; Camp White Pine from Pennslyvania; and Indigenous Environmental Network.

Sign from a Dallas protest. Courtesy of Yolonda BlueHorse.

Eric Reed, a Dallas attorney representing the Society of Native Nations and a Choctaw descendant, is hosting the tribal council from Standing Rock prior to the protest. Organizers are also hoping to hold a forum on Saturday but are still searching for a venue. (Check here for updates.)

Several Standing Rock activists are expected to attend the demonstration including Dallas Goldtooth, Dana Yellow Fat, Waniya Locke, Joye Braun and Linda Black Elk.

“We’re going to have some of the more prominent voices from Standing Rock at the march,” said BlueHorse. 

 

Stop Energy Tranfer Partners - Dallas Protest

About: The Dallas protest at Energy Transfer Partners headquarters is part of a national campaign protesting the parent company responsible for the Dakota Access Pipeline and other pipelines.

Hosted by: Society of Native Nations with support from Coalition for Environmental Justice -North Texas; Codepink; Dallas Peace and Justice Center; Democratic Socialists of America - North Texas; Earthworks; Veterans for Peace; System Change, Not Climate Change; along with Bold Louisiana; Camp White Pine from Pennslyvania; and Indigenous Environmental Network.

When: Sept. 8, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Where: Energy Transfer Partners headquarters, 8111 Westchester Drive, Dallas

Website


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