Dakota pipeline protesters hit by blizzard

2016-12-06t052727z1lynxmpecb506ortroptp4north-dakota-pipeline.jpg — A man stands near a burned out truck as Veterans and activists march to Backwater Bridge just outside of the Oceti Sakowin camp during a snow fall as "water protectors" continue to demonstrate against plans to pass the Dakota Access pipeline adjacent to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, near Cannon Ball, North Dakota on December 5, 2016. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

By Reuters Media

December 06, 2016 at 6:05 AM

The autumn's been relatively warm and kind to the North Dakota pipeline protesters.

That changed suddenly and icily on Monday, Dec. 5.

Winds of more than 37 miles per hour blasted the protesters' makeshift camp.

Temperatures plunged to around 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

A coalition of Native American groups, environmentalists, and U.S. military veterans, are fighting to block construction of the pipeline.

They say it would damage sacred lands, and any leaks would pollute the water supply of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.

The Standing Rock Sioux's chairman is urging the protesters to leave as nothing will happen over the winter before President-elect Donald Trump takes power.

The blizzard hit just a day after the U.S. Army rejected an application for the pipeline go through a tunnel beneath Lake Oahe.

Trump's transition team says it supports the pipeline project and will review the Army decision after he takes office.

Dakota pipeline protesters hit by blizzard

The autumn's been relatively warm and kind to the North Dakota pipeline protesters.That changed suddenly and icily on Monday, Dec. 5.Winds of more than 37 miles per hour blasted the protesters' makeshift camp.Temperatures plunged to around 15 deg...