We all know Shailene Woodley from her debut in popular films such as The Fault in Our Stars, and the Divergent series. But what many people don’t know is that Shailene is also an adamant activist, constantly fighting for environmental issues and for the rights of the indigenous peoples of America. She has also been in support of the progressive Bernie Sanders throughout the recent presidential campaign, avidly speaking out and participating in Bernie’s rallies. Her most recent arena of activism would be the protesting of the North Dakota Access Pipeline.
The Dakota Access Pipeline, also known as DAPL, is a massive oil pipeline which, if built, would cross through 4 states and hundreds of miles of sacred tribal land. It will then link to another pipeline in Illinois where it will transport the oil along the Gulf of Mexico. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is just one of many tribes whose land would be trespassed and violated through the construction and approval of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Indigenous Environmental Network states that “not only would the Dakota Access Pipeline threaten sacred sites and culturally important landscapes, it would also cross under the Missouri River just upstream of the Tribe’s drinking water supply. If there were to be a spill – which history has taught us is not a question of “if” but “when” – it would constitute an existential threat to the Tribe’s culture and way of life. ” Shailene Woodley is just one of many people who are protesting against the construction of this crude pipeline. Even amidst the many protests against this pipeline, the U.S. Court of Appeals rejected a request by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to halt work on the DAPL, but protestors are still going strong.
Shailene and hundreds of other protestors were peacefully protesting at Standing Rock as part of the #NoDAPL movement on Monday afternoon when Shai got singled out and arrested for “trespassing”. Through a viral video which has recently been released on social media, we can see Shailene getting arrested and explaining viewers what happened. Click here for the video.
In the video, Shailene describes the situation, stating that riot police arrived at the peaceful protest, and then proceeded to grab her by the jacket and detain her. She then asks the officers why she was the only one getting arrested out of hundreds of protestors, and the officers reply with the fact that she was identified as trespassing, and is therefore getting arrested. Shailene asks if it is because she is famous, and the officers do not reply. Shailene is then escorted towards a police vehicle and tells the audience that she hopes mainstream media is watching.
This revealing video not only informs the public of the arresting of actvist icon Shailene Woodley, but portrays the injustices of government detainment that can occur while peacefully protesting. The release of the video has also led to outbreak on social media, and the cultivation of a #FreeShailene hashtag on Twitter. What we should remember about this astonishing event is how ironic and unfortunate it is that such a groundbreaking denial of tribal rights can occur on a day where we celebrate Christopher Columbus, perhaps one of the most violent and discriminatory enemies of the indigenous people, responsible for the wiping out of millions of Native Americans upon his arrival in America. What Shailene Woodley has done for the indigenous people is brave and is a perfect example of how to use your fame for good; as more and more people watch the video and hear of her detainment, that is all the more people who will be aware of the unjust construction of the Dakota Acces Pipeline.
