Some people are wondering after last week’s tense hearings at the State Capitol whether there will be violence like at Standing Rock, North Dakota if Enbridge is allowed to construct its Line 3 pipeline upgrade in Minnesota. Activist Jesse Peterson in Duluth-Superior says people don’t want to just protest against the pipeline — “they literally want to stop it” using any non-violent means necessary. Peterson says, “If people committed to those actions and willing to trespass come under attack by police or private security or construction workers, what can occur, there can be scuffles between people in self-defense.”
Last week at the State Capitol one environmental activist warned lawmakers if they approve the pipeline it will “be met with violence.” One legislator said he heard that as “someone trying to instigate violence.” The activist responded, “I’m here to prevent that.”
More in this interview with Peterson: