Protesters anxiously await temporary injunction ruling to halt construction of Dakota Access Pipeline

Anxious would best describe the mood in the Sacred Stone Camp today, at the site of the Dakota Access Pipeline protest. With the start of school this week, some protesters left over the weekend, but many remain.

A federal court in Washington, D.C., is scheduled to rule Wednesday on the temporary injunction to halt construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline near Cannon Ball.

Many of the demonstrators we spoke to are hoping for a favorable ruling, but are preparing for the worst.

It was an an uneventful day at this temporary camp, but everyone here knows change is coming.

"People are a little bit antsy about what's going to happen, what's occurring, we've heard everyday that the national guard is coming in, and that we're going to be attacked," said Phyllis Young, coordinator of tribal affairs at Sacred Stone Camp.

Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault is in Washington, D.C., awaiting a judicial decision that will anger or excite everyone here.

No matter which way the ruling goes, camp organizers are emphasizing the need for the demonstration to remain peaceful.

"We're here to respect chairman Archambault's wishes, non-violence, peace, prayer, he doesn't want nobody to die, he doesn't want anybody to get hurt, he doesn't want anybody to go to jail," said Gregory Cournoyer Jr., South Dakota. demonstrator.

If the federal court ruling goes against the tribes, many demonstrators vow to continue protesting.

"It's not going to stop, they're going to be persistent, they're going to be patient," said Basil Brave Heart, Pine Ridge, S.D., demonstrator.

Patience is a virtue that's being tested by people on both sides of this issue.

Also Monday, Mark Fox, the chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes in North Dakota, released a letter in support of the protesters in Standing Rock.

Sixty-three native nations are represented at the camp,