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Backus, MN – This morning, one water protector locked their neck to the gate of one of Enbridge’s massive pipe yards south of Backus, Minnesota, as other rallied and shoppers consumed on Black Friday. Black Friday falls on Native American Heritage Day.
Earlier in the week, the Trump administration approved the last major permits of Enbridge’s Line 3 project, following state approval through 818 wetlands and Anishinaabe treaty territory in northern Minnesota by Democratic Governor Tim Walz’ administration.
On Wednesday, Enbridge, a Canadian oil infrastructure corporation responsible for the largest inland tar sands spill in U.S. history, sued the state of Michigan for doing what Minnesota would not when Governor Whitmer’s administration rejected Line 5. Enbridge claims Michigan has no authority over Michigan waters.
Locked to Enbridge’s pipe yard gate, Cody Reid-McKee, 28, said, “I want Enbridge to know that even though they’ve gotten most of their permits, we’re still here and will keep fighting. We are fighting against the continuation of colonization and genocide against these people and this land. We will not stop fighting until we’ve stopped Line 3.”