Efforts to demonstrate against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline were expected to resume today in defiance of an order to evacuate the protest area by the end of the day.

The deadline comes a day after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it will not approve an easement needed to permit the Dakota Access Pipeline to cross under Lake Oahe in North Dakota, sparking a wave of celebration throughout the protest camp.

The announcement Sunday afternoon marked a major victory for the Native American tribes and thousands of environmentalists and other activists who have demonstrated in solidarity with their cause. Many who gathered at the site of the protest met around a communal “sacred” fire to discuss the victory, and some were too overcome with emotion to put their thoughts into words.

But work on the controversial crude oil pipeline may not have been defeated by Sunday’s announcement, at least not permanently, and because of this, the protest camp is expected to resume activity today.

Read more on ABC News