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Demonstrators Protest North Dakota Pipeline In South Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- In Minneapolis Saturday, people voiced their concerns over a pipeline they say will cause permanent damage to native land.

Demonstrators are trying to stop work on the nearly 1,200 mile pipeline, which would carry crude oil from the Bakken oil fields to Illinois.

Native Americans say if there was ever a leak, it would pollute a tribal lifeline that also provides drinking water to 18 million Americans downstream.

Last month, demonstrations in North Dakota were disrupted when protesters were removed by law enforcement.

Saturday, the group Native Lives Matter was in south Minneapolis and marched down Franklin Avenue to show their solidarity with the protesters.

"We're just grassroots people just trying to raise awareness for this. Water is life, if we have no water there is no us," said one protester.

The group's march ended at the American Indian Center.

The leader of the company behind the pipeline told CBS News he is confident the president-elect will help get the project finished.

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