JACOBSON — Numerous protesters were arrested Dec. 14 in Jacobson as a result of a protest over the Enbridge Line 3 going across northern Minnesota.
Over the past two weeks, demonstrations and protests have sprung up between Jacobson and Palisade as a result of those opposing the replacement and building the pipeline, stated a news release from the Northern Lights Task Force. Law enforcement officials responded Dec. 14 on the 59000 block of the Great River Road in Jacobson as a result of a protest.
Numerous individuals went into an area posted “No Trespassing” in accordance with state law. Along with the protesters on the ground, there was also a man, who was protesting and had been staying up in a hasty tree platform since Dec. 4. The Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office was working with a group of his supporters to ensure the safety of the man in the tree and even made sure necessities were delivered to him.
On the morning of Dec. 14, the sheriff’s office was on scene and received a report of the Enbridge-leased right of way being blocked by a cable. Upon arrival, Sheriff Dan Guida observed someone had fastened a rope to block the right of way. Another line had been connected to that line and was secured above the tree occupant’s platform. This helped support the platform and individual.
“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,” Guida stated. After several unsuccessful attempts to have the person come down on his own, a bucket truck was brought in to bring this man down safely.
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Approximately 50 protesters remained blocking the right of way. They were asked to leave and then ordered to leave but they refused, the news release stated. Dispersal orders were given and most of the people left the area. After multiple additional dispersal orders were given, officers walked around the group and secured a perimeter.
As Guida rode up in the bucket to the elevated platform, several individuals rushed from the woods nearby and attempted to shut the truck’s operation down, the news release stated. Three were immediately arrested.
One carried a sleeping dragon device, a device often used to secure a person to an object and make it difficult for authorities to remove them. These devices are often used by protesters in an attempt to obstruct law enforcement. Another group encroached the line and were again told to leave. When they refused to do so, they were arrested, authorities reported.
The tree occupant advised he was ready to come down and cooperated fully with law enforcement. The temperature at that time was 6 degrees below zero.
In total, 22 people were arrested and booked into the Aitkin County Adult Detention Center on probable cause for trespassing and unlawful assembly. One individual was booked on probable cause of obstructing the legal process with force and fourth-degree assault.
Of those arrested, four were from northern Minnesota, 13 were from Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area and five were from out of state. None were from Aitkin County.
On Dec. 15 all of the detained people, except one, were issued citations and were released from custody with the promise to appear in court.
On Dec. 16, the final arrested party was issued a gross misdemeanor formal complaint and released on conditions to include, no returning to pipeline construction zones.
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The Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office is working in conjunction with other sheriff’s offices and state and tribal assets during the construction of this pipeline.
