On Monday, four protesters were arrested for attempting to close pipeline valves for Enbridge’s Line 3 and Line 4 pipelines which stretch across north-central Minnesota. The activists broke into a facility in southeast Grand Rapids and were able to find the shut-off valves for three pipelines, but Enbridge was able to remotely shut the pipeline down before the protesters took any dangerous action. 

This is not the first instance where protesters have attempted to disrupt pipelines in Minnesota. Back in 2016 three protestors were arrested for attempting to shut down Enbridge pipelines in Northwestern Minnesota.

Sen. Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks) issued the following statement in response:

“The actions taken by the four protestors on Monday was not civil disobedience or exercise of free speech, but a dangerous and potentially criminal behavior, placing Minnesota lives and the environment at risk,” said Sen. Johnson. “This instance should be a wake-up call for the Governor to encourage him to work with legislators to shut down dangerous activists.”

Last session, lawmakers in the Senate and the House approved a measure aimed at discouraging these dangerously illegal acts of protest. The law would have extended civil and criminal liability to any groups or organizations that recruit, trains, aids, or conspires with individuals who criminally trespass or damage Minnesota’s critical infrastructure such as airports, railroads, utilities, or oil or gas pipelines. Unfortunately, that bill was ultimately vetoed by Governor Dayton.

Senator Johnson has been a long supporter of the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project which would provide enhanced safety standards and environmental protection, while also providing a significant economic boost for communities in greater Minnesota.