Neil Young Celebrates 71st Birthday Performing at Standing Rock Protest Site

By Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone

16 November 16

eil Young celebrated his 71st birthday with some activism Saturday as the singer visited Standing Rock, site of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, to perform for those involved in the standoff.

"Got my birthday wish today, my girl took me to #StandWithStandingRock #WaterIsLife," Young wrote on social media. "Those who damage Mother Earth, damage us all, forgive them, they don't yet see." Young also posted video of himself strolling through the crowd of protestors while strumming on his acoustic guitar and harmonica.

In September, Young unveiled his new protest song "Indian Givers," which takes aim at the proposed and controversial Dakota Access Pipeline that cuts through Native American land. The track will appear on Young's upcoming LP Peace Trail.

"History is being made right now," Young recently told the Los Angeles Times of the DAPL protests. "The protesters are prepared to give up their lives, and unfortunately I think what it's going to take for more people to pay attention is that somebody's going to get killed."

On November 27th, Dave Matthews will perform a Washington, D.C. benefit concert in support of those protesting at Standing Rock. Matthews will be joined by Tim Reynolds, Neko Case, Ledisi and more at the Stand With Standing Rock gig at DAR Constitution Hall.

"How can we continue to allow oil money to dictate our environmental and social policies?" Matthews said in the statement. "The people of Standing Rock, and those who are supporting them, are standing up for their children and all of our children. We are letting the Dakota pipeline silence their voices. Not only are they desecrating sacred lands, but they also threaten to poison the Missouri River."

All proceeds support the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and supply resources and legal assistance to the "water protectors" fighting the pipeline.