The Dakota Access oil pipeline has been cause of much controversy over the last few months. Vox has an excellent explainer on why this is a big deal. According to Vox, the pipeline would carry "450,000 barrels of crude per day from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota down to a terminal in Illinois." However, local residents of Standing Rock Indian Reservation have been protesting and are concerned that the pipeline would contaminate local water, and a leak or a spill could prove deadly.
This has led to a huge back and forth, with police spraying protesters with tear gas, and blowing water cannons at them in freezing temperatures. It's getting ugly and the media isn't exactly making this a big issue. One person who clearly sees the problem, is Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe, who just announced he'll be heading down to protest in and Instagram post:
We commend Blythe for his bravery and hope he stays safe.
Update Blythe has made it to the protest and seems to be going okay:
