Shailene Woodley has penned a letter about her trespassing arrest.
The 24-year-old actress was taken into custody on October 10, when she and 100 others were protesting on the construction site of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which would harm the drinking water for a nearby Native American tribe if completed.
The ‘Divergent’ star has now written a letter for Time Magazine entitled ‘The Truth About My Arrest’ in which she calls out Americans for not respecting Native American culture, and urges more people to help protest the pipeline plans.
She wrote: "We wear their heritage, their sacred totems, as decoration and in fashion trends, failing to honour their culture. Headdresses, feathers, arrows. Moccasins, sage, beadwork. You know what I’m talking about, Coachella.
"Treaties are broken. Land is stolen. Dams are built. Reservations are flooded. People are displaced. Yet we fail to notice. We fail to acknowledge. We fail to act."
‘The Fault in Our Stars’ actress was one of 26 protestors to be arrested, but has revealed the issue with the pipeline was only brought to attention when she herself was arrested.
She explained: "So much so that it took me, a white non-native woman being arrested on Oct 10th in North Dakota, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, to bring this cause to many people’s attention. And to the forefront of news publications around the world. The day I was detained, 26 others had to dress in orange as well, as they were booked into the Morton County jail. Did you hear about them?"
The star continued to thank people for their support, and to urge them to keep fighting.
She said: "I appreciate all of you out there who supported me while I was arrested. I am humbled and grateful for your love, your prayers and your hashtags.
"Thank you, to all the tribes who have gathered. To all the nations standing as one. To all the people who know that if not we, then who? And if not now, then when? Simply feeding off the hype of a celebrity’s arrest ain’t going to save the world. But, standing together will. Please stand in solidarity with the Sioux people of Standing Rock Reservation to ensure that we still have rivers to swim in, springs to drink from and lakes to float on. Will you join us?"
Shailene Woodley pens essay about arrest
