PHOTO THREAD: Activists occupied a Line 3 Pipeline construction site in Northern Minnesota yesterday, halting operations for the day.
Just before 5 pm, police from several departments came and began arrests, initially scuffling with protesters linking arms at the entrance.
Activists linked arms and some chained themselves to the Enbridge equipment in an attempt to hold onto the occupation of the construction site as police moved through and made arrests.
Some police efforts were focused on a separate entrance to the #Line3 construction site, where activists had also erected a makeshift barricade outside.
While no shots were fired during the incident, police brought riot control and other weaponry to clear the Enbridge construction site.
The activists arrived near where the new construction of the Line 3 Pipeline is expected to intersect with the Mississippi River.
The area is claimed as Enbridge Property, but an indigenous member of the sheriff's department wished them good luck as long as they stayed peaceful.
Police then did not interfere as the activists trekked across a wet marsh to a small platform built by Enbridge for pipeline construction where it intersects with the Mississippi River.
Activists then held a small blessing, some standing in the water and praying for the environment.
This location was about a half hour drive from the construction site occupied by activists.
Folks at the marsh celebrated that demonstration for halting construction for the day.
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Yesterday, about fifty activists trekked across a marsh into the Mississippi River Monday afternoon to demand President Biden rescind his approval of the Line 3 Pipeline, which is expected to flow under the river.
A Sheriff's Deputy pledged not to interfere.
"It's more than a pipeline. It's about racial justice, social justice and environmental justice," said Dawn Goodwin of @RISEandEngage.
"Why are they not following Article 6 that states that treaties are the supreme law of the land?" she said of the United States Constitution.
The activists stepped into the Mississippi River, where they then danced and prayed.
Assuming President Biden's approval of the Enbridge Corporation's permit stays in place, the tar sands oil pipeline will run under this water.
VIDEO THREAD: Today activists occupied a Line 3 Pipeline construction site in Northern Minnesota, halting operations for the day.
Just before 5 pm, police from several departments came and began arrests, initially scuffling with protesters linking arms at the entrance.
The construction site had a giant fence around it with only two entrances, so police had some guards posted outside, but the group was basically kettled the moment police stepped in.
"You're all under arrest for trespassing on critical infrastructure" officers announced.
The next several arrests took place at the one other entrance to the Line 3 construction site.
Activists had erected several makeshift barricades, and officers arrested many (by my count, 16, but not precisely sure) activists as they dismantled part of the barricade.
Right now: thousands gather in Northern Minnesota to march and perform a direct action to oppose the construction of the Line 3 Pipeline, which they say endangers treaty rights and clean water.
I won’t be able to livestream this, but will update when I can and video later!
Hundreds of activists are crossing over a wetlands area from the street and are on a wooden footbridge erected ahead of new construction of Line 3, which will be between these orange markers.
INTERVIEW THREAD: I'm in Northern Minnesota, where activists prepare for a direct action to interrupt construction of the #Line3 Pipeline all day tomorrow.
"I am here to protect our treaty rights of hunting, fishing, and gathering," says Water Rights activist Debra Topping.
Rev. Dr. Ambrose Carroll, @Alpha3bc from The Church by the Side of the Road in Berkeley, CA says "our indigenous brothers and sisters are calling for us to help protect the water."
He says Line 3 could affect water purity all down the Mississippi River and affect Black bodies.
"Line 3 - like all fossil fuel pipelines at this point - is a desecration," says @greenfaithworld's @revfharper.
"Religions broadly teach that the Earth is a sacred gift, that it's our job to take care of it, and that we've got to wake up and do that."