By Laura Zilverberg
Writer, editor, and volunteer with MN350's Communications Team

This past weekend, June 5-8, 2021, water protectors gathered in Northern Minnesota to put their bodies on the line and stop construction on Line 3. The Treaty People Gathering was a weekend of nonviolent direct action in support of treaty rights and climate justice as Enbridge continues construction through Anishinaabe treaty land and the Mississippi Headwaters.

Line 3 is a tar sands pipeline under construction in Northern Minnesota. It violates treaty rights and would be devastating for climate change contributing the carbon equivalent of 50 coal-fired power plants, while carrying 700,000 barrels of tar sands oil from Canada every day, posing risks to Minnesota’s waterways.

The news coming out of the gathering paints a picture of resistance against extractive industries and an outsized reaction by law enforcement that included the use of a helicopter to disperse water protectors.

New York Times
“Late Monday, police arrested activists and appeared to use a crowd-dispelling sonic device at the Line 3 pipeline in Minnesota, which would carry oil across sensitive waterways and tribal lands.”

Washington Post
“Pipeline protesters seize Minnesota construction site in bid to stop $4 billion project”

MSNBC
“Activists Jane Fonda, Tara Houska battle Line 3 pipeline that could harm tribal lands, environment”

MPR
“To see people engaging in personal risk like this, and to see so many young people and folks of all walks of life, it’s so beautiful and powerful,” said Tara Houska, founder of the Giniw Collective, one of dozens of groups that organized the week’s actions. “It’s an incredible moment.”

Star Tribune
“Line 3 opponents turn up the heat with protest, confrontation”

PBS News Hour
“Pipeline battle brews in Minnesota between Indigenous tribes and a major oil company”

Bring Me the News
“Border patrol helicopter used against Line 3 protesters in northern Minnesota”

Join our campaign to Stop Line 3 and take action today by sending a message to President Biden to shut down the pipeline. You can also donate in support of the Indigenous organizers and bail funds for those arrested during the protests.