Approximately 15 people showed up Friday evening, Sept. 16, at the courthouse in Columbus to hold a peaceful protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline being constructed in North Dakota and cutting under the Missouri River less than a mile upstream from the Standing Rock Sioux’s drinking water supply, according to protest organizer Sydney Klein Mierop. John Cullen assisted Mierop in staging the protest in conjunction with the national day of action held in solidarity with Standing Rock. As of last week, the Obama administration “suggested” a halt to the construction of the pipeline. Donations were also accepted at the protest for Standing Rock. (Photos by Michael O’Hearn)