Anti-pipeline protesters demonstrate on Thanksgiving

About 300 opponents of the Dakota Access pipeline demonstrated in a North Dakota city on Thanksgiving Day, while protesters near the construction site. Hundreds of demonstrators have camped out for months attempted to build a wooden bridge to reach what they say are tribal burial sites.

The protesters blocked traffic at an intersection and other streets in Mandan, shouting “Shame on you, North Dakota!” and carrying a banner that read “No pilgrims, no pipeline,” the Bismarck Tribune reported. About 50 officers stood across from the protesters, and the crowd eventually dispersed.

Morton County sheriff’s office spokesman Rob Keller said officers near the campsites about 50 miles south of Mandan observed protesters attempting to build a wooden bridge over a body of water Thursday morning in an effort to reach Turtle Island, a hill where protesters claim burial sites are located.