Dakota Access oil pipeline protest closes San Francisco street

SAN FRANCISCO - A protest against the Dakota Access oil pipeline brought thousands of demonstrators to the streets of San Francisco Tuesday.

Before sunrise, protesters formed a circle in a downtown plaza and burned sage before walking down Market Street.

Protesters temporarily closed down Market Street, but no arrests were reported.

Activists called for demonstrations at Army Corps of Engineers offices and at banks financing the pipeline construction.

The protesters marched to corps offices, where they locked arms and blocked access to the building.

In Los Angeles, a few hundred protesters rallied outside a Corps of Engineers office and at downtown's Pershing Square.

Demonstrations were reported across the country, from California to Vermont.

The $3.8 billion pipeline is to carry North Dakota oil to a shipping point in Illinois. Opponents worry it will harm the environment.