22 Arrested Near Palisade This Week While Protesting Line 3 Construction

22 people were arrested earlier this week while protesting the construction of the Enbridge Line 3 oil pipeline near Palisade. Those arrested were cited for trespassing and unlawful assembly. One person was also cited for fourth-degree assault.

According to a press release from the Northern Lights Task Force, numerous protesters went into an area labeled “no trespassing.” There was also a man on the property who has been staying up in a tree platform since December 4th. When authorities brought in a bucket truck to bring the man down to ensure his safety, about 50 protesters blocked the right of way.

Officers eventually secured the perimeter, and Aitkin County Sheriff Dan Guida rode up in the bucket to the man in the tree, but several individuals rushed from the nearby woods and tried to shut the truck’s operation down. They were immediately arrested. Another group approached and were told to leave, and they were arrested as well when they didn’t. The man in the tree then advised he was ready to come down and fully cooperated with law enforcement.

Of those arrested, four were from northern Minnesota, 13 were from the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, and five were from out of state. None were from Aitkin County.