Pipeline foes gear up for large northern Minnesota protests (Update)

Update 5:30 PM

Hundreds of protesters opposed to Enbridge Energy’s ongoing effort to replace its aging Line 3 crude oil pipeline have gathered near the headwaters of the Mississippi River in northern Minnesota.

Among them is actress Jane Fonda.

Protesters shouted “Stop Line 3” and used a boat on a trailer to block the entrance to an Enbridge pump station south of the main protest site.

And reports say about two dozen protesters chained themselves to construction equipment.

A Border Patrol helicopter hovered about 20 feet off the ground, blowing up sand and dirt in an effort to get protesters to leave.

Enbridge said about 44 workers left the site to try de-escalating the situation.

Opponents say the pipeline would worsen climate change and risk spills in sensitive areas where Native Americans live. They’re calling on President Joe Biden to halt the project.

Enbridge says the new line will better protect the environment while restoring its capacity and ensuring reliable deliveries to U.S. refineries.

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Earlier story:

Update 1:35 PM

Environmental and tribal groups opposed to Enbridge Energy’s ongoing effort to replace its aging Line 3 crude oil pipeline have gathered near the headwaters of the Mississippi River in northern Minnesota.

They’re shouting “Stop Line 3!” and said they blocked a pumping station.

The Canadian-based company is gearing up for a final construction push.

Opponents say it would worsen climate change and risk spills in sensitive areas where Native American harvest wild rice, hunt, fish and gather medicinal plants.

They’re calling on President Biden to halt the project.

Enbridge says the new line is made from stronger steel and will better protect the environment while restoring its capacity and ensuring reliable deliveries to U.S. refineries.

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Original story:

Environmental and tribal groups opposed to Enbridge Energy’s ongoing effort to replace its aging Line 3 crude oil pipeline are planning large protests in northern Minnesota as the Canadian-based company gears up for a final construction push. Organizers say they expect hundreds of people to participate in Monday’s “Treaty People Gathering.” They are billing the event as the largest resistance yet to the project. They are planning to march to the headwaters of the Mississippi River, one of the water crossings for the pipeline. Opponents of the project say they will do whatever it takes to block completion, including risk being arrested.