Two weeks ago, the toxic Line 3 tar sands pipeline had its final water crossing permits approved by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, a decision that caused twelve members of the Agency’s environmental justice advisory committee to resign in protest.
Within a matter of weeks, Enbridge Energy is planning to start construction in rural Minnesota, bringing hundreds of out-of-state workers to the area. This is despite the fact that COVID cases are surging, and the healthcare systems of many Native and non-Native communities in the region are already being stretched to breaking point.
Can you take 3 actions today to stand in solidarity with those on the frontlines help #StopLine3?
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- Call MN Department of Commerce: 651-539-1441
Sample Script: Hi, I’m [NAME], I’m calling from [PLACE], and I’m calling because I am extremely concerned about the possibility of construction on the Line 3 pipeline. The pipeline is still facing enormous legal challenges from tribal nations, advocacy groups, and the Minnesota Department of Commerce. I’m calling to urge the Department of Commerce to advocate for a stay against construction to protect the integrity of the process, and to protect communities in Minnesota from the dangerous spread of COVID. Thank you.”
2. Tweet at the funders of Line 3 & demand they #DefundLine3
Enbridge’s Line 3 is financed by Wall Street: JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank & Bank of America are all major lenders to Enbridge. BlackRock is a 5% shareholder of the company. Insurance companies, like Liberty Mutual, provide it with key insurance. These companies are complicit in the building of this heinous pipeline.
Click here to send a message to Wall Street on social media and demand that they #DefundLine3.
3. Follow the frontlines
Line 3 is being fiercely resisted on the ground. Last week, two Water Protectors locked themselves to Line 3 construction equipment, shutting down construction for most of the day. Follow Giniw Collective, Stop Line 3, RISE and Unicorn Riot on social media for updates on what’s happening on the frontlines. And if you can, we encourage you to donate to these organizations. We can’t stop this pipeline without a strong frontline.
If built, Line 3 would release as much greenhouse gas pollution as fifty new coal fired power plants. It would violate Ojibwe treaty rights, and put the state’s water, ecosystems, and communities at risk.
Projects like Line 3 are also clearly linked to violence against and the trafficking of Native American women due to the installation in rural areas of temporary housing facilities for mostly male construction workers, known as “man camps”.
For all of these reasons, Line 3 is being fiercely resisted by tribal nations, Indigenous Water Protectors, grassroots groups, young people, faith leaders, and more. And you can help.
Please take action to #StopLine3 today.