Something beautiful and powerful happened last Wednesday. An estimated 2,000 water protectors gathered outside the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, to demonstrate against the Line 3 tar sands pipeline. Indigenous leaders, local community organizers, and state elected officials all spoke out on the need to stop Line 3.Wednesday’s rally began with the arrival of the Treaty People Walk for Water - a group of people who walked 250 miles over 19 days, from the pipeline cross at the Mississippi River headwaters to the Capitol. In the final miles of their walk, they were joined by hundreds more in support. The rally ended with organizers reading a statement of demands criticizing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s support of the pipeline and militarization of police in its defense. On Saturday, water protectors took action at the Governor’s email Governor Walz has not responded to the demonstrators. And hundreds of people have continued to peacefully hold space and conduct ceremony at the White House. If Governor Walz won’t act, it’s up to President Biden. Will you call the White House today to ask the President to stop construction of the Line 3 pipeline? Action is taking place all over the country. After rallying at the White House and at the Army Corps of Engineers HQ, people took action by demonstrating at the home of White House Chief of Staff Ronald Klain. Two dozen were arrested for this peaceful demonstration, but a clear signal has been sent: We are deeply committed to stopping this pipeline, and we will not be ignored. In cities all over the U.S., people held their own actions in solidarity. We want to highlight an event in Washington, D.C., where allies in both houses of Congress just sent a letter to the White House asking President Biden to revoke Line 3’s permit: Water protectors continue to resist on the frontlines -- in the face of increased police activity, the Giniw Collective blocked a Line 3 pump station, impeding construction and operation. Their courage is an inspiration, and we owe them our urgency. To learn about joining the frontline resistance camps visit www.stopline3.org/hub. In a recent filing from Enbridge, the oil company claimed that they believe they can have the pipeline operational and pulling tar sands across Ashininaabe land “as soon as mid-September.” They may be bluffing on the exact date, but we don’t have the luxury of time. We need leadership that is willing to honor our treaties, our earth, and our climate, and will act with bravery and love. We need President Biden to revoke Enbridge’s Line 3 permit. Call the White House today to let him know. In solidarity, The Stop Line 3 Team
|