Oklahomans protest Keystone pipeline near Stroud

Tar Sands Blockade organized the protest, in which demonstrators marched along segments of the pipe and participated in round dances.

Blockade members have protested the pipeline construction in Texas over the past several months by chaining themselves to trees, pipes and other equipment in attempt to halt construction.

The group called Thursday's action the beginning of a “sustained campaign of direct action” against the pipeline construction in Oklahoma.

President Barack Obama visited Cushing in March to announce his support for the southern leg of the pipeline, which is expected to transport crude oil from Cushing to the Houston area.

TransCanada is still awaiting federal approval for its proposed northern leg, which would transport oil from Canada and North Dakota to Cushing.