Several were arrested last week for allegedly trespassing on Enbridge property near Palisade.
According to a release from the Northern Lights Task Force, a man was staying in a tree platform 30 feet from the ground that was reportedly connected to a cable that blocked Enbridge’s leased right of way.
“The situation required a response to protect the person’s life as one mistake could have caused the apparatus, and individual in the tree, to fall 30 feet to the frozen ground,” said Sheriff Dan Guida.
With the use of a bucket truck, the man was brought down to safety.
Approximately 50 protestors remained blocking the right of way, and refused to disperse when asked and ordered, according to a release.
Ultimately, 22 people were arrested and booked into the Aitkin County Jail mostly for trespass and unlawful assembly.
Of those arrested, four were from northern Minnesota, 13 were from the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, and five were from out of state. None were from Aitkin County.
Most were released the next day, with the one released the following day after being issued a formal complaint for assault and obstruction.
