Harsh words from State Representative Matt Grossell, a Republican from Clearbrook, about opponents of the controversial Enbridge Line 3 pipeline blocking a bridge south of Bemidji Tuesday morning. Grossell says, “I understand people want to… exercise their right to freedom of assembly, which is just fine. But don’t break the law while you’re doing it.”
Native American protesters say Enbridge wants to put “this new poisonous black snake” where the Mississippi River begins and they’re protecting their water and burial sites. Police cleared the blockade off the bridge. Organizers say there were no arrests.
Grossell says the Enbridge Line 3 project has gone through all the vetting that’s been asked for and required. “It’s ridiculous,” he says. “It’s getting to a point of, when do the people that want to go to work, get to go to work?” Opponents say crews come from out-of-state to work on the pipeline and women face increased risk of harassment and potentially life-threatening assaults — while native communities have only limited authority to prosecute offenders.