Line 3 is a proposed pipeline expansion to bring approximately a million barrels of tar sands oil per day, from Alberta, Canada to Superior, Wisconsin. This pipeline was proposed in 2013 by Enbridge, a Canadian pipeline company responsible for the largest inland oil spill in the United States. Enbridge desires to build a new pipeline corridor through the treaty territory of Anishinaabe peoples, where untouched wetlands need not be disturbed, through the Mississippi River headwaters to the shore of Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes of the United States and among freshwater lakes is the third-largest by volume.
Water Protectors have been gathering in Minnesota to peacefully protect against the Line 3 pipeline and have been hopeful the new administration will step up and stand to protect this territory of Anishinaabe people.
On June 31st Tara Houska shared with Unicorn Riot that she woke up a notification that there were several sheriffs at the end of the driveway, a driveway that leads to her private property. She was given a piece of paper that stated they were going to close the driveway, stating that because the driveway is on county land, that they have a right to close it.
Tara Houska who is a lawyer, shared that “a basic understanding of property law is that you can’t landlock somebody, there has to be access to that piece of land, and that access has been this county road since this parcel has existed.” She shared that the easement belongs to Winona LaDuke right now. Houska asked Winona if she could use her easement and Winona said yes.
Houska calls it, very obvious harassment by local sheriffs who are in direct financial relationships with Embridge.
To see the interview with Houska go here – https://www.instagram.com/p/CQwVX7mlw3B/
Lastly, in most recent news, speaking of water, Minnesota is experiencing a severe drought. While Enbridge is “taking 5 BILLION gallons of water from our rivers and lakes to drill #Line3 tar sands pipeline thru.” – said Tara Houska on her IG today.
The @resist_line_3 instagram page shared today
“While Indigenous matriarchs and youth led prayer in the river, they discovered an unmitigated “frac-out or release of drilling mud and chemicals. As Enbridge continues to drill under Minnesota’s waters, many in the movement to stop Line 3 are worried about the long-term environmental impacts of construction incidents like this one. About 50 water protectors participated in the Tuesday action.
The Line 3 Replacement Project proposes to cross 21 water bodies using horizontal directional drilling (HDD). This technique uses highly pressurized mud and chemicals to assist in drilling a hole underneath the waterbody to be crossed, and carries the risk of discharging drilling mud into the ecosystem. This is known as a “frac-out.” Drilling mud may contain a wide variety of toxic chemicals, and the mud itself is composed of fine particles which can smother aquatic life.”
If you are interested in learning how to stop Line 3 there will be a Line 3 Action Orientation July 11th, 20th and 25th. The website to register and learn more is – bit.ly/Line3Orientation
To learn how to safely offer jail support to the water protectors who have recently been arrested for protecting the water, contact – And please contact resist_line_3 on IG. These actions will only continue as people fight for clean water and protected homelands so please consider supporting jail support or legal defense funds.
Stop Line 3!!