This article was written by Amie Stager, and is re-posted from Workday Minnesota . If you aren't in the habit already, start checking out that awesome publication on the regular! Ahead of the first hearing for the 15 activists and community defenders charged with conspiracy by the federal government, a crowd full of supporters gathered and demonstrated in solidarity. Tony LaRose, a member of IBEW Local 110, has been deeply disturbed ever since two of his coworkers and union brothers were arrested and had their houses raided by federal law enforcement on June 16. “This has been an attack on one of us, which makes it an attack on all of us,” LaRose said to a crowd of demonstrators rallying in downtown Minneapolis on Wednesday at noon. The crowd of around 300 was full of people wearing shifts with their union logos and colors, and some held signs that said, “Community, not conspiracy!” They gathered in front of the Diana E. Murphy federal courthouse to call on the governm...
The battle against the Line 5 pipeline is heating up. A determined group of local activists has been monitoring and protesting the construction of the pipeline since day one. Most recently, activists have called out the city of Ashland for allowing Enbridge to use city water for construction. This despite the fact that the Bad River nation has been actively fighting this pipeline for years. We also want to make readers aware of a number of alarming situations in the last couple of weeks where anti-Line 5 protesters have been stalked and harassed by Enbridge employees. Enbridge has trespassed on protesters land, and an Enbridge security vehicle even struck an activists vehicle on purpose in mid-June. This aggressive and outrageous behavior is further evidence of Enbridge’s fear that if they don’t push through at break neck speed with this construction project, it may yet be stopped. We urge our readers to continue their opposition to the Line 5 pipeli...