Dakota Access Pipeline protesters prepare for extended stay at Sacred Stone Camp

Wednesday's court decision means a verdict on allowing construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline could drag on for the remainder of the summer and into early fall.

That means protesters will need to prepare for an extended stay at the Sacred Stone Camp.

The sound of flags blowing in the wind replaced the noise created by protesters at the entrance to the Dakota Access construction site.

For most of the day, the fields that are typically full of demonstrators were deserted. A few people showed up to take pictures, including two visitors who traveled more than 4,000 miles.

"For me what's interesting is the tribes band together to fight to protect water, the land, and I think it's positive," says Thierry Van De Plas, Kraainem, Belgium.

Thierry and his brother Roland recently arrived in the United States and were moved by the struggle Native Americans are engaged in.

"We were very surprised that all the natives very concerned by the situation of the pipeline, and are united to protest against the pipeline," says Roland Van De Plas, Kraainem, Belgium.

Some of the flags on display Wednesday were brought by an honor guard of Native American veterans.

"It's nice to have support from all these tribes and even people from other races, not only Native Americans," says Melanie Howard, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Howard drives past the protest site everyday on her way to work. She intends to re-join the movement whenever possible, no matter how long the judicial process takes.

Next week observers from the United Nations are expected to visit the site and assess the situation.