Police in the US state of North Dakota have begun clearing a group of Native American and environmental protesters from an encampment near an oil pipeline construction site.<br /><br /> There are concerns it could escalate tensions in a standoff that has lasted several months.<br /><br /> There are reports at least 141 people have been arrested.<br /><br /> Officers began clearing the encampment after protesters allegedly set fire to barricades around a construction site near the community of Cannon Ball.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> North Dakota pipeline protesters pushed back from site after 141 arrested https://t.co/p3tlOLuxav— Andrew Feinstein (@andrewfeinstein) October 28, 2016<br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> For and Against<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> The 3.8 billion dollar project is being built by a group of companies led by Energy Transfer Partners to take shale oil from North Dakota to oil refineries on the US Gulf Coast.<br /><br /> Supporters say it would be safer and more cost-effective than transporting the oil by road or rail.<br /><br /> However, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, backed by environmental activists, say it threatens the water supply and sacred tribal sites.<br /><br /> They have been protesting for several months. Dozens have been arrested.<br /><br /> Members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe have asked Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton to oppose the pipeline.<br /><br /> Clinton has so far not taken a public position on the issue.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Rightful owners?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> On Monday, Native American protesters occupied privately-owned land in the path of the proposed pipeline.<br /><br /> They say they are the rightful owners of the land under the terms of an 1851 treaty with the US government.<br /><br /> Police moved in on Tuesday, after saying protesters had set some blockades on fire.<br /><br /> Media footage seems to show police rounding up and handcuffing protesters.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> RAW VIDEO: At least 117 people arrested in North Dakota pipeline protest. https://t.co/DTj9RD8H2v— The Associated Press (@AP) October 28, 2016<br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> LATEST: 117 arrested at Dakota Access pipeline protest as police move in to disperse crowd, authorities say. https://t.co/J2NRZ0cyMY pic.twitter.com/DyVPhyZ91x— ABC News (@ABC) October 28, 2016<br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> #Hashtags<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> #DakotaAccessPipeline, #StandWithStandingRock<br />
