Hundreds Of Tulsans Flood Downtown To March Against Dakota Access Pipeline

Hundreds of people from across Green Country marched through downtown Tulsa on Friday afternoon chanting "Water is life."

The marchers voiced disapproval for the building of the Dakota Access Pipeline, a $3.7 billion pipeline that would run from North Dakota to Illinois.

The Tulsa rally is one of many satellite movements across the country showing solidarity for similar activists in Standing Rock, North Dakota, where the pipeline would begin.

Across the country, many people fear the pipeline might leak and contaminate the drinking water for tribal lands and other communities.

"This is not right," said David Wilson, a marcher. "People have rights to drink clean water."

Olivia Ramirez helped organize the rally.

"No matter where you are, you can do direct action," Ramirez said. "You can show that you're standing with these people in North Dakota because it's not just a Native issue anymore."

When marchers reached the Bank of America building, their chant changed.

"Stop funding DAPL!" they yelled.

According to an advocacy group called Food and Water Watch, Bank of America is one of many companies funding the pipeline.

Some activists even went inside the bank to stage a sit-in, and a few closed their accounts with Bank of America in protest.

"Two people pulling out of Bank America," said Bobby Roubedeaux, who was part of the sit-in, "and that is a small yet major victory."

But according to Bank of America, it's not involved.

Related Story: Anti-Dakota Pipeline Protesters Hold Rally At Tulsa Bank

Spokesperson Colleen Haggerty sent News On 6 reporter Annie Chang the following statement:

"Bank of America is not a lender involved in the financing of this project. As a company, we have a long-standing history of supporting both the heritage of Native American communities and the environment."

Tulsa Police did handcuff six or seven marchers for refusing to leave the bank lobby, but they were not formally arrested.