Islanders protest in solidarity with Standing Rock Sioux

Dozens of Islanders marched peacefully in downtown Charlottetown Tuesday evening to show their solidarity with those protesting against the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline project in the U.S.

• Six Nations protests in solidarity with Standing Rock at Brantford mall

• Thousands in Toronto march against Dakota Access Pipeline

The pipeline would carry oil for almost 1,900 kilometres across four U.S. states. Protesters have been making a stand for months near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation in North Dakota, calling for the pipeline to be rerouted, worried the pipeline and construction pose a risk to local water supplies and sacred sites.

'Beautiful event'

"It was a beautiful event," said Kathleen Romans, one of the organizers of theWe Stand With Standing Rockmarch, when CBC News contacted her after the event.

About 60 protesters carrying signs and candles including local Indigenous, union and political leaders marched from the 2016 sign on the waterfront to the front of the historic Coles Building, where there was a drum circle and several people made speeches and said prayers.

"Water is sacred, without it we die. It is a worldwide issue and anything that threatens it is of concern to us all," Romans added.

• No end in sight for Standing Rock protest against Dakota Access pipeline

Marches across North America have attracted thousands of people, includinga protest of about 4,000 people in TorontoSaturday.

"I'm not sure if a lotof people really understand the enormity of the issue," added Romans, a health advocate and former PEI NDP candidate.

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