Thousands in Toronto march against Dakota Access Pipeline

Thousands of demonstrators marched peacefully in downtown TorontoonSaturday to show solidarity with protesters against the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline project in the U.S.

The march attracted at least 4,000 people, according to one organizer. It began in front of the Ontario legislature at Queen's Park and included a stop at the U.S. consulate on University Avenue. Itended at Nathan Phillips Square in front ofToronto city hall.

• Kinder Morgan braces for Standing Rock-type protests
• If Dakota Access pipeline were to move, where could it go?
• Obama says Army Corps examining Dakota Access oil pipeline route

Attendees saidthey wanted to show their counterparts in Standing Rock, North Dakota that Canadians are on their side.

"We want to show the people at Standing Rock that there are thousands of North Americans that want to stand with them, that want to show our support," said demonstrator Nicolas Haddad.

Others described the Toronto rally as part of a global campaign.

"It's a really beautiful, empowering movement here, where you can see people from across the world coming together to stand for the same cause, and stand for the earth," said Camille Koon.

CheriDiNovo, MPP forParkdale-HighPark, told CBC News the demonstration was also meant to grab the attention ofCanadian political leaders.

"The simple reality is that we're here to support [the Dakota Sioux], but also to send a very strong message to our own governments, both provincial and federal, that this is treaty land, that you have to deal with First Nations, and that we need to keep the oil in the soil," saidDinovo.

Pipeline protests

The Dakota Access Pipeline projectwould carry oilfor almost 1,900 kilometres across four U.S. states,from North Dakota'sBakkenoil formation to pipelines in Illinois. From there, the oil would go to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Protesters have made a stand near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation in North Dakota, calling for the pipeline to be rerouted. They say the pipeline and construction process posea risk to local water supplies and sacred sites.