“It’s an act of defiance,” said Mr. Cowan, who said he did not set the fire. He said that he did not believe protesters should have to evacuate and did not know what he would do when the deadline to leave came. “The people are incredible,” said Mr. Cowan, who was wearing a jacket with an antipipeline logo. Mr. Iron Eyes, who is facing criminal charges for his actions during an earlier protest, said he planned to honor the Wednesday deadline. Protesters, Mr. Iron Eyes said, were “feeling a bit of despair, but it’s not overwhelming.”“They know what they’re here for,” he said.

Source: New York Times February 22, 2017 10:00 UTC