Legality on the pipeline ? Very questionable , permits are still in question with the Army Corp of Engineers . Also they are forbidden from drilling under the water which they are half a mile with a drillpad attempting to do . Legality on shooting down drones ? Federal crime by the FAA , no matter what your reason for firing at the drones . Shooting any aircraft with firearms not only poses a danger to that drone and whoever is on it , but also people and property below it can crash into . And as much as I would like to see the protesters have nonviolent ways to defend them self . But the mainstream media is in the pocket of the cops , and they can paint any action the protesters take as a crime . A passenger was arrested for speeding , a woman with a prayer cross was arrested for shooting at police . So I just want the water protectors just stay persistent when it comes to the next few weeks . Its a battle of attrition as the cops are running out of cash .