US military veterans build shelters for Dakota Access pipeline protesters

US military veterans were building shelters for North Dakota pipeline protesters this week as the Justice Department reaffirmed its commitment to the demonstrators' First Amendment rights and to their safety on Friday.

Protesters have been occupying land near the site of the multibillion-dollar Dakota Access pipeline project for months. As winter begins to set in, authorities have begun warning protesters that they need to leave.

The demonstrators said they're not going anywhere.

More than 2,000 US veterans arrived at the Oceti Sakowin camp in North Dakota on Thursday, and have volunteered to form human shields to protect pipeline activists from police.

The protesters also received a nod from US Attorney General Loretta Lynch on Friday, who said "we remain in close communication with law enforcement officials, tribal representatives, and protesters in an effort to reduce tensions and foster dialogue."

Lynch announced that mediators were being sent to the site "to help support constitutional law enforcement, prevent violence, and to preserve peace and liberty in the protest area."

Here are some photos of US veterans lending a hand to protesters.