Protest Arrest: Actress Shailene Woodley Arrested

Megan Bohall, Copy Editor

All the time we see celebrities using their following to promote charities and support causes, but rarely do we see them record themselves live at a protest. This is exactly what got Shailene Woodley, an actress, arrested on Monday, October 10th.

Woodley participated in a protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline, The Dakota Access Pipeline is a 1,200-mile oil pipeline that was set to be constructed underground. The problem some are having with the pipeline is that it would cause Native American burial grounds to be dug up.

Woodley, along with over 200 others gathered to protest against the pipeline, but started to film once a wave of riot squad officers showed up to the protest. Throughout the video Woodley mentions how the protest was very peaceful. The video shows Woodley talking to the officer who arrested her, Woodley was arrested for criminal trespassing and engaging in a riot.

Millions of people saw the Facebook live video and many people are defending Woodley on Twitter. Many say that Woodley was targeted because she was famous. Only 28 out of the hundreds of people there were arrested.

This news has spread across all social media sites and has brought lots of attention to the Dakota Access Pipeline. Woodley uses today’s social media to spread awareness to a controversial cause. Although many celebrities use social media to spread awareness for causes, Woodley is one of few who has taped herself protesting and getting arrested and posting it on social media.

Other celebrities should strive to do the same as Woodley and use there social medias to spread awareness to great causes not only talking about these causes, but taking action themselves to show others how they can make an impact on a cause they are passionate about.