Shailene Woodley Was Arrested for Trespassing

She was protesting the South Dakota pipeline.

by Emily J.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is still fighting to keep their land after a federal court rejected their request to stop construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The pipeline would transport 470,000 barrels of oil a day and run within a half-mile of the tribe’s reservation, destroying some of their sacred sites.

Even though the ruling was disappointing, thousands have joined the tribe at Cannon Ball, North Dakota to protest the pipeline. Among them was Divergent actress, Shailene Woodley. 

On Monday, Shailene was peacefully protesting when she arrested for trespassing. She quickly recorded the whole thing on Facebook Live, to make sure everyone knew what was going on. During one instance, her camera was facing the wrong way, so she explained what was happening. “I was walking back to my RV, which is right there, so that we can go back to camp peacefully and they grabbed me by my jacket and said that I was not allowed to continue,” she informed her viewers. 

When she tried to ask the police officer a question, he responded, “We can’t talk right here but you’re going to placed under arrest for criminal trespassing.” Shailene then tried to ask why only she is being arrested, and the cop informed her it’s because she has been “identified”. 

“Alright I’m being arrested,” she continued. “Because I was trespassing like everyone. As soon as you guys asked me to leave, I l left. She was down there, everybody was down there. I’m being arrested. I was down there with everybody else. I don’t know what’s going on? As soon as they came, I left. It’s because I’m well known. It’s because I have 40,000 people watching.”

According to her rep, she was released from Morton County Jail earlier today. Her publicist made a statement saying “She appreciates the outpouring of support, not only for her, but more importantly, for the continued fight against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.” 

Fight on, Shailene! We’re glad you’re okay. You can watch her whole video on her Facebook page here: