Local Elected Leader Calls on Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison to Reject Request to Drop Charges Against Line 3 Protestors

(BEMIDJI, MINN) Beltrami County Commissioner Craig Gaasvig today called on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Attorney General to reject an effort to have criminal charges dropped against hundreds of people who participated in violent Line 3 protests. While Line 3 construction work is now complete, more than 900 people were arrested this year for breaking the law while trying to stop the project through what were often violent protests. Thousands of people have now signed a petition organized by Line 3 opponents that asks for Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison to drop pending criminal charges against the protests.

“Waiving responsibility for what were violent and threatening acts by people who did not care about the impact of their actions is reprehensible,” said Beltrami Commissioner Craig Gaasvig. “People from around the country came to Minnesota to break the law, threaten workers, and stretch the resources of our first responders. There needs to be accountability for what happened and asking for charges to be dropped is an insult. I respect people’s right to share their opinion but there needs to be accountability when it turns to threats and breaking the law.”

More than 60,000 people have signed the online petition and letter that is being organized by the Stop Line 3 group. The letter makes a false claim that people arrested during the protests are now facing “trumped-up charges.” In September, Hubbard County Attorney Jonathan Frieden disputed that charges were escalated or out of proportion for the actions.

For months, communities across Northern Minnesota faced well-funded and organized protests that involved vandalism, threatening behavior, as well as people locking themselves to equipment, buildings, or other structures. First responders and area law enforcement agencies were often forced to spend hours of time cutting protestors free before they could be arrested, taking time away from other important duties.

“Throughout the process to approve and build Line 3, people opposed to the project often acted as if the rules do not apply to them,” Gaasvig said. “They stormed meetings, threatened regulators, and vandalized equipment. Now they are trying to avoid responsibility for what they did. I strongly urge Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison to reject this and show that in Minnesota, we hold people accountable for their actions.”

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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