Standing Rock | Water Protector Lega

Standing Rock: The #NoDAPL Struggle
to Protect the Water

For nearly ten years since 2016, WPLC has stood alongside the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Water Protectors—from on-the-ground legal defense to federal litigation, civil rights actions, SLAPP defense, corporate accountability and human rights advocacy. WPLC remains committed to defending land, water, and the people who protect them and the #NoDAPL struggle continues.

Sunset at Standing Rock at height of #NoDAPL movement.

History of #NoDAPL at Standing Rock

The historic Indigenous-led #NoDAPL movement at Standing Rock galvanized Indigenous Peoples and allies around the world to defend the Water and treaty rights.

Dakota Access Pipeline across Standing Rock Sioux Tribe unceded Treaty lands.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe v. US Army Corps of Engineers

Litigation challenging pipeline approvals, asserting Treaty rights, environmental justice, NEPA violations, and demanding federal review to protect Standing Rock sovereignty.

Energy Transfer v. Greenpeace

WPLC Motion to Intervene to lift corporate veil & Trial Monitoring efforts in the $900 million SLAPP lawsuit by ET targeting Greenpeace.

Water Protector with eagle feather faces law enforcement.

Dundon v. Kirchmeier Class Action

Class action on behalf of Water Protectors for excessive police force at Backwater Bridge on November 20, 2016, seeking accountability for militarized suppression of peaceful protest.

Standing Rock Public Archive

Repository preserving documents, testimony, evidence, legal filings, FOIA materials, and movement history, ensuring long-term public access to #NoDAPL records archives.

Corporate Accountability & PMSCs: TigerSwan Documents

Records expose private security misconduct, counterinsurgency strategies, intelligence sharing, coordination with Energy Transfer, and corporate efforts targeting, undermining Water Protectors.

Criminalization of #NoDAPL Water Protectors

Mass criminalization of Water Protectors at Standing Rock by the State of North Dakota in over 800 cases and federal government, most resulting in dismissal.

Standing Rock: The #NoDAPL Struggle to Protect the Water