DAVENPORT, Iowa — The Native American Coalition of the Quad Cities is standing in solidarity with Sioux Nation and against the Dakota Access Pipeline. The group gathered at Davenport's LeClaire Park on Sunday, Sept. 25. A few of the members walked across the Centennial Bridge for the event.
If built, the$3.78 billion pipeline will carry about a half-million barrels of oil per day from North Dakota through South Dakota and Iowa into Illinois. While it's not passing through the Quad Cities, the pipeline will travel under the Mississippi River.
Iowa was the last state to give final approval for the pipeline, which drew more than 3,700 letters of protest from Iowa residents and spawned lawsuits on behalf of residents who are losing land due to eminent domain.
In North Dakota, the pipeline will travel under the Missouri River. The tribes have gathered in North Dakota to protest the pipeline, which tribe members say threatens their drinking water.
"They say it's not going to leak. Things rust. Cells do break down. It's not 'if' it's going to leak, it's 'when?' Because it's going to leak," said Josie Ironshield.
Other tribes across the nation have since backed the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in their protests. Water protectors and other tribes have been sending items to the camp in Cannon Ball, North Dakota to support the protesters. Items were also collected at Sunday's event.
Participants say the day's event in Davenport was a peaceful demonstration, not a protest.