30 arrested in Dakota Access oil pipeline protest

BOONE , Iowa, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Dozens of Dakota Access pipeline protesters in Iowa were arrested after they tried to block entrances to the expansive $3.8 billion four-state pipeline project.

The crowd chanted, "This is what democracy looks like," as 30 people were arrested on charges of trespassing. The group was protesting possible water pollution, increased use of fossil fuels and the used of eminent domain to obtain land for the pipeline.

Throughout Iowa, more than 100 people gathered at a Dakota Access construction site to demonstrate against the project. A representative from Precision Pipeline, a contractor on the project, asked protesters to leave. Instead, they formed a human chain to block an entrance.

"I have three children, and they deserve to inherit a world with clean drinking water," Crystal Defatte of Bettendorf, Iowa, said as she stood in a protest area.

Earlier this week, a federal judge turned down a request by Dakota Access to block the protesters from the project. A hearing is set for Friday to review the company's request for an injunction to restrict demonstrators.

Construction on the pipeline, which will travel through North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa, began in May. It is expected to eventually carry up to 570,000 barrels of crude oil a day.

First set of pipeline fighters take an arrest to stop Dakota Access #nobakken #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/3OJQECF1xo

— Iowa CCI (@iowacci) August 31, 2016