Valley business donating to anti-DAPL protests

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KSAZ) - As the controversy surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) intensifies, a Valley restaurant is donating to the cause.

On Friday, officials with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe said they received the news that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will close off the land where hundreds of people have been protesting DAPL, due to safety concerns. The protesters are reportedly worried the pipeline will harm the environment, and pollute a major source of drinking water for people in the area.

On Friday night, the owner of the Coronado announced that 100% of Friday night's food sales will be donated to the protesters. The owner, Liam Murtagh, said the restaurant is very involved with community and humanitarian efforts, and supporting the protesters felt like the right thing to do.

On a typical Friday night, the restaurant reportedly makes $1,500 in food sales, and Murtagh thinks on this particular Friday night, they will double the number.

"I kind of thought, 'oh, it's such short notice, and it's holidays, and it's going to be not a big deal,'" said Murtagh. "And that fact that there's literally hundreds of people coming through the door is overwhelming."

Those taking in the vegetarian cuisine at the restaurant are happy Friday, knowing they are giving back.

"More than anything, really, make sure that our dollars are going to something really worthwhile, especially on a day like today, where consumerism is really dominant, and a lot of dollars are not going to people at Standing Rock, who are in dire need," said Casey Hopkins.

"What they're going through, I think, is incredibly unfair, and so, It's great that we can support them," said Maribeth England.

Murtagh said the giving doesn't stop at food sales, as they have boxes in front of the restaurant, where people can drop off supplies at any time, to be delivered to the protesters.

"Specifically, things they are asking for, like, blankets and socks and first aid kids," said Murtagh.

Friday night's fundraiser at The Coronado comes, as people are preparing for a march that starts at Steele Indian School Park at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday. The march is set to go down Central, and end at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Downtown Phoenix.