FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, June 8th
CONTACT: media@treatypeoplegathering.com or 320-496-6304
Pressure Mounts on Biden Administration to Act as Line 3 Pipeline Resistance Grows
Updates: 200+ arrests, ongoing blockade at pump station and resistance camp launched at Mississippi river crossing of controversial tar sands pipeline
Read the full statement #StopLine3 in court, the case against line 3. A primer on the March 23 MN court of appeals hearing
Clearwater County, Minnesota (10 JUNE 2021) Read the full article Line 3 Water Protectors Launch Occupation at Mississippi River Pipeline Easement
the Gathering
Northern Minnesota— On Monday, more than 2000 water protectors gathered for Minnesota’s largest ever mobilization against the Line 3 tar sands pipeline, putting more pressure on the Biden administration to honor the Treaties and stop this toxic project.
In the biggest action yet against Line 3, over 500 water protectors shutdown the Two Inlets pump station in solidarity with Giniw Collective for over 29 hours and counting beginning Monday morning. Since construction on the pipeline began in December, over 200 people have been arrested and within one day that number almost doubled with nearly 200 arrested and dozens more cited. Twenty-four water protectors locked themselves to machinery inside the pump station and were eventually arrested. Another group of twenty-four attached themselves to a boat blockading the access road overnight, with arrests still happening on Tuesday afternoon.
Throughout the blockade of the pump station, police escalated tactics. Initially, law enforcement attempted to disrupt water protectors via a Department of Homeland Security helicopter flying at an unlawful height to kick dust and rocks into people’s faces. Police later deployed warning a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) without warning.
Concurrently, 1500 people marched to the spot where the Line 3 pipeline is scheduled to drill under the Mississippi headwaters and launched an ongoing treaty encampment in the path of the pipeline with 200 people camping overnight, led by the Rise Coalition. (Location on County Highway 40, at this link. Direct message Rise Coalition Facebook page for information on supporting and visiting.)
Special guests at the Treaty People Gathering included Jane Fonda, Catherine Keener, Rosanna Arquette,Taylor Schilling, and Bill McKibben.
Water protectors and a growing list of supporters including hundreds of faith leaders who gathered to support the water protectors are calling on President Biden to stop Line 3, which opponents say threatens Northern Minnesota’s waters, the global climate, and Anishinaabe treaty rights.
Though the Treaty People Gathering was scheduled to wrap-up on June 8th, the ongoing encampment and lockdowns demonstrate water protectors commitment to stop the pipeline. The Gathering brought new allies to the fight, bolstering the efforts of frontline and Indigenous groups to organize and expand the resistance.
