As More People Continue to Come to Minnesota to try to Stop Line 3, Retired State Patrol Trooper Calls for Groups to Stop Organizing Protests

DALE THORSON SAYS ITS BEYOND TIME TO STOP STRETCHING LIMITED PUBLIC SAFETY RESOURCES BY TRYING TO STOP A PROJECT THAT IS NEARLY COMPLETE

(BAGLEY, MINN) After more demonstrations this week including an event where 23 people from outside Minnesota were arrested in Clearbrook, a retired Minnesota State Patrol Trooper today called on groups against the Line 3 Replacement project to stop organizing protests. State and local law enforcement agencies continue to face challenges created by organized protests that involve vandalism, threatening behavior, as well as people locking themselves to equipment, buildings, or other structures. Crews are often forced to spend hours of time cutting protestor free before they can be arrested, taking time away from other important duties.

“The amazing people who serve us through their public safety work already take risks each day and should not be forced to continue to deal with the dangerous antics from people protesting a project that is just about done,” said Retired State Patrol Lt. Dale Thorson. “What is even harder to understand is that the intensity of these protests seems to have increased as end of construction gets closer. There have already been situations where first responders were not able to respond to calls for help from the public because they were dealing with protests. That needs to stop and it’s beyond time for groups funding and organizing protests to stop before something tragic happens.”

This week more than 80 people tried to block access to an Enbridge facility in Clearbrook, Minnesota by using 55-gallon barrels filled with concrete, an overturned car, a boat, and tripods with people attached to them. The Clearwater County Sheriff’s office was forced to call in mutual-aid support and it took crews more than 7 hours to cut free protestors from the “sleeping dragon” devices. 23 people were arrested from Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, South Dakota, New York, Texas and Washington, D.C.

This follows other protests that included a violent protest outside of the Minnesota Governor’s Residence in St. Paul and another demonstration at the Minnesota State Capitol that resulted in 75 people being arrested. All but 14 of the people detained were from outside Minnesota. Previous protests have shut down access to a key part of Duluth and forced paramedic units from other communities to spend many hours at protest locations across Northern Minnesota.

After six years of review, construction work on the Line 3 Replacement project is now more than 90 percent complete. There are no more remaining legal challenges to the project in state courts. The Minnesota Court of Appeals recently rejected a remaining challenge to a state permit. Construction work started last December, and the replaced Line 3 is expected to be placed into service later this year.

“I understand people disagree with the decision to allow the project to go forward but that does not justify or condone the ongoing violent and disrespectful behavior by people who continue to come here to try to get arrested,” Thorson said. “We have amazing people who dedicate themselves to being there when we need help. We should not be forcing them to deal with protestors, especially since this project is just about done.”

The decision to replace Line 3 was made by the Obama Administration. To complete the project, Enbridge has invested more than $2 billion, employed more than 5,000 people, and created an important economic impact to help the region recover from the COVID-economic challenges.

The Biden Administration recently filed its support of federal permits for the project as part of legal proceedings. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recently reaffirmed his support for the project via an editorial in the Duluth News Tribune.

Contact: Susan Goudge
Susan@Minnesotansforline3.com | 218-556-3617

We can’t afford to wait any longer for Line 3

“It’s long overdue for those making decisions in this state to pause and look at the facts. We cannot afford another appeal. Too much time and taxpayer dollars have been used to repeatedly determine that Line 3 is necessary.

If we do not approve Line 3 and get started soon, the people of Minnesota will deserve an explanation about why the most studied pipeline project in our state’s history – that literally checks every box – was stalled at a time when our economy needs it so much.”

Rich Siegert, Rochester Post Bulletin

Minnesota needs Line 3 project

“Let’s get one thing clear: Minnesota needs Line 3.

Replacing Line 3 will bring thousands of jobs to our state at a time when we desperately need it. While our legislature stalls on a bonding bill and other forms of relief, how about Governor Walz and his administration making an easy decision to stop delaying a project that will bring thousands of jobs to northern Minnesota?”

Craig Gaasvig, Grand Forks Herald

Nearly six years to replace Line 3 is too long

“My family has farmed in Clearwater County for 85 years. As farmers, we take pride in our land and work hard to take care of the soil and water around us. We also take very seriously planning our farming operations, including rotating our crops and maintaining our equipment.

For 48 years, we’ve hosted six pipelines on our property and have always had a good relationship with the company. In 2014, we received a letter from Enbridge about the company’s intention to replace its Line 3 pipeline. Since that initial letter, we’ve worked with Enbridge on the easement for the replacement pipe and have considered our farming plans to accommodate construction.”

Brian Emmel, Bemidji Pioneer

Support Minnesotans by supporting Line 3

“In trying times like these, you would think local governments would try to work together to get things done. The fact of the matter is, they can’t — or they won’t. The gridlock in our state house is at an all-time high, and neither side seems willing to concede anything to the other. You would think they would care more about the people than these political chess matches; but for the most part, that’s not the case. Minnesota needs jobs more than ever — as well as the hope that things can get better. As we struggle with COVID19, the changes it has forced upon us have left too many of our businesses to drop like flies, with more people applying for unemployment every day.”

Dave Langfeld, Duluth News Tribune

Letters to the Editor Supporting Line 3:

We can’t afford to wait any longer for Line 3

Minnesota needs Line 3 project

Nearly six years to replace Line 3 is too long

Support Minnesotans by supporting Line 3

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