On the Second Sunday of Advent, I got to be part of an historic celebration of the power of nonviolent resistance. Here at Standing Rock, thousands of voices are crying out in America’s wilderness. Yesterday was a beautiful reminder in the long struggle for justice that no matter how long we have to wait, God hears their cry. And love and justice will win.
A few weeks ago, Chief Arvol Looking Horse issued an invitation to clergy and faith leaders to stand in solidarity with the people of Standing Rock. He said he was hoping maybe a hundred would respond. But yesterday I joined thousands in a procession of faith leaders to gather around the sacred fire at the Oceti Sakowin Camp at Standing Rock. I knew something special was happening here.
As the entire camp held hands in prayer, we learned that the US Army Corps of Engineers had refused to grant an easement to complete the Dakota Access Pipeline, a $3.8 billion project that stretches across four states. From the beginning, the pipeline has been resisted as a “black snake” that threatens the sacred waters of the Sioux people. And in recent months, pipeline construction destroyed holy sites.
But Native American tribes from some 200 nations came together here to protect their water and resist the Dakota Access Pipeline. Yesterday, they won.
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