American actress Shailene Woodley is set to stand trial in North Dakota this upcoming January over her involvement in the Dakota Access Pipeline protest.
What is Dakota Access Pipeline?
The protest was instigated in support of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, who wanted to block the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, a $3.8 billion pipeline in their area, which they feared would taint the local water supply in Bismarck, North Dakota. Protests over the issue have grown in number over the past few months, and it is believed that around 269 people have been arrested for their involvement.
Woodley had been one of twenty-seven protesters who were arrested October 10. The protest Woodley was involved with was intentionally set on Indigenous People's Day, an American holiday meant to celebrate and honor the indigenous people of North America.
Woodley criticized what the media is ignoring over the arrests
According to reports, the actress has pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal trespass and engaging in a riot, both of which are misdemeanor crimes. If the court finds her guilty, however, she could potentially face two months in prison and around $3,000 in fines.
Although currently pleading not guilty, Woodley released an article to Time, containing a statement in support over what has happened, as it took “a white non-native woman being arrested...
to bring this cause to many people’s attention.” She also criticized the American habit of romanticizing Native American culture, such as wearing indigenous culturally-inspired clothing or purchasing toy teepees for children, while ignoring the actual people.
She also highlighted her support for the fellow twenty-six protesters who had also been arrested, and criticized the fact that only her arrest made headlines.
Woodley is best known as the star in the “Divergent” film series. Beforehand, she had also become known as the star of the television series, “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” and the film, “The Fault in Our Stars.”