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Over 500 protesters from across the country converged outside the state Capitol and onto downtown streets Sunday afternoon in response to TransCanada's proposed Keystone XL pipeline.

The protest comes on the eve of week-long proceedings in front of the Nebraska Public Service Commission where local landowners, TransCanada representatives, Native American tribal leaders and others will present testimony on whether or not the pipeline serves the public interest.

The proceedings mark the last major hurdle TransCanada must get over for approval of the pipeline, which would carry nearly 830,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada through Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska for export.

K Street on the north side of the Capitol was blocked off as hundreds of sign-bearing protesters gathered.

After speakers rallied the crowd, Native protesters astride horses led a march north down 16th Street.

Police cordoned off the rest of the march that swung down N Street and headed back to the Capitol down 13th Street, passing the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel, where the public service commission hearings will kick off Monday morning.