Photo by Giniw Collective
Nine Line 3 opponents were arrested over two incidents.
According to a release from the Northern Lights Task Force, a cooperative effort among northern Minnesota law enforcement agencies, the arrests took place on July 29 and Aug. 3.
On July 29, several people attempted to block access to a water pump used by pipeline workers at the Mississippi River in Clearwater County. Five were issued citations, and two were arrested and booked into Clearwater County jail.
Their charges include public nuisance and obstructing the legal process.
On Aug. 3, 12 gained access to a fenced-in easement of Enbridge on a temporary bridge over the Mississippi River. Seven were ultimately arrested and transported to the Becker County Jail.
Charges varied on these seven from public nuisance to misdemeanor trespassing.
The Giniw Collective, one of the organizations vehemently opposed to the pipeline, claims law enforcement near Thief River Falls escalated their response to protests, with numerous “water protectors” subject to less-than-lethal dispersal tactics including pepper spray, mace, and rubber bullets on July 30.
