President Biden, Shut Down the Dakota Access Pipeline Now!

President Joseph R. Biden

Image description: a black snake cut into segments appears on top of an image of people at Standing Rock holding "Water Is Life" banners. White text that says "Final Breaths" overlays the image. Design credit: Kourtney Rakell, Seeding Sovereignty

The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) is sending millions of barrels of crude oil through unceded Lakota lands and under the river Mni Sosè, threatening our oldest spirit known as Unci Maka (Grandmother Earth). As President, Biden must stop the flow of oil through DAPL, now!

We need to build pressure on Biden to do what is right. Please stand with Standing Rock and add your name to the petition below.

Almost five years ago, the world's eyes turned to Standing Rock as armed, unwelcome invaders sprayed water, tear gas, rubber bullets, military-grade bean bags, and fire ice cold water cannons in midwinter against water protectors. As Vice President, Biden could have helped stop this violence, but instead let it go on and did not hold any of the offending parties accountable for violating treaty rights.

It should be recognized that the DAPL’s permit was revoked last year, and it has been operating against the law since. The Biden Administration has the power and responsibility to change this. It is the least they can do to begin to make reparations for a long history of the United States government stealing from Indigenous people and violating their sovereignty, specifically within Lakota lands.


To: President Joseph R. Biden
From: [Your Name]

​Dear President Biden,

We are writing to urge you to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), now. Each day DAPL continues to operate, it actively endangers the sacred lands and waters through which it penetrates. The Trump administration has been allowing the pipeline to operate without a permit since March — you must take action to shut it down as soon as possible.

​The world watched as U.S. government forces brutalized Indigenous land and water defenders at Standing Rock in 2016. We all remember the images of Indigenous relatives and allies in the freezing cold as the National Guard and local Morton County law enforcement sprayed them with tear gas and water cannons. As Vice President, you could have helped stop this violence, but instead let it go on and did not hold any of the offending parties accountable for violating our treaty rights as Lakota defended our unceded territories.

There should be no delay. Shutting down the DAPL is the least that your administration can do to begin to make reparations for a long history of the United States government stealing from Indigenous people and violating their sovereignty, specifically within Lakota lands. It should be recognized that the DAPL’s permit was revoked last year, and it has been operating against the law since.

Biden Administration, you now have the power and responsibility to change this. Under your administration, the Army Corps of Engineers can stop the flow of oil through the pipeline as a first step towards broader reparations for Indigenous people across Turtle Island. The decision was made prior to Trump’s presidency and can be made again.

Please bear in mind that you were elected with support from a record number of Indigenous and Black voters who will be impacted by every decision you make going forward. It is now time to show that you respect Indigenous Sovereignty, honor your commitments to environmental justice, and shut down DAPL.