Indigenous Advocates Walked 108 Miles Against Pipeline

The Women’s Water Walk protest highlights opposition to a potential revival of the Constitution Pipeline.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Women’s Issues

A glass bottle of water sitting on a mossy rock beside a rural road, with rolling forest hills in the distance. — Indigenous advocates are walking 108 miles across New York to deliver water samples to Governor Kathy Hochul, continuing their opposition to the Constitution Pipeline. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should local communities prioritize blocking large-scale pipeline projects to protect regional water quality?

Indigenous advocates have embarked on a 108-mile journey through New York to protest the proposed Constitution Pipeline. Participants are collecting water samples along the route to present to Governor Kathy Hochul.

Why it matters

The demonstration serves as a direct call for state leaders to maintain the 2016 rejection of the pipeline project. Advocates aim to prioritize regional water quality by preventing any future efforts to revive the controversial infrastructure plan.

The protest route spans a total of 108 miles across the Southern Tier and Catskills regions. This trek follows the path of the pipeline project that New York state officials previously rejected in 2016 citing water quality concerns.

The players

Kathy Hochul

She is the Governor of New York who serves as the designated recipient of the water collected by the demonstrators.

Mark Ruffalo

He is an actor and prominent environmental activist who joined the walking group to support the protest.

The details

Participants began the walk in Sidney and are gathering water from various natural sources along the path to deliver to the state capital. Actor Mark Ruffalo joined the group as they traveled through New York to voice his support for their environmental stance.

The state rejected the Constitution Pipeline in 2016.
The Women's Water Walk began in Sidney on September 19, 2026.
The walk continues through the week of September 28, 2026.

Culture Shift

This protest reflects a broader movement where grassroots groups use symbolic, endurance-based actions to influence state-level environmental policy. It demonstrates how historical environmental precedents serve as rallying points for activists seeking to prevent the industrialization of natural landscapes.

Residents across the Southern Tier and Catskills may experience minor traffic delays as the group proceeds along the designated route. The advocacy effort is intended to influence state-level regulatory decisions that could affect long-term water quality in these communities.

The takeaway

The walk highlights the lasting importance of the 2016 water quality standards set by the state. Local residents interested in regional infrastructure projects can monitor public hearing notices from the state government for future developments.