Indigenous, Environmental and Community Leaders Denounce Inaction By Democrats and Canadian Multinational Enbridge as Corporation Announces Start Date of Line 3 Oil Flow

Indigenous, environmental and community leaders released the following statements after news broke that oil will begin flowing through the new Line 3 pipeline in Minnesota as Enbridge announced that the pipeline is “substantially completed and set to be fully operational.”

Indigenous Environmental Network

“It's with a heavy heart we receive the news that the U.S. has tragically failed once again to honor our treaties and protect the water that sustains all life on Mother Earth. The Line 3 fight is far from over, it has just shifted gears. Do not think we are going quietly into the night, we will continue to stand on the frontlines until every last tar sands pipeline is shut down and Indigenous communities are no longer targeted but our right to consent or denial is respected. 

Although Enbridge is pushing the message that the Line 3 is a done deal and that they have followed all the rules and regulations- we see even at this late date the continuing harm to our lands and waters. There have been spills, frac outs and pierced aquifers even to this day. They are spilling millions of gallons of polluted water directly into our forests and waterways. This is far from over. 

We promise to continue to show up each time even stronger with new voices and hearts ready to lead. 

 From the belly of the beast north of the medicine line to rice beds that sustain the lifeways of the Anishinaabe all the way down to our relatives impacted in the Bayous-- we will continue to fight for the natural and spiritual knowledge of the Earth. We will continue to fight and take care of one another and our Mother because she has always taken care of us. Respect us, or expect us.”

Tara Houska, Founder, Giniw Collective

“This shameful moment marks what the promises of the Democratic Party to listen to climate science look like in action, what it looks like when human beings refuse to open our eyes to the burning world around us and respond with equal urgency.

Over 800 people from all walks of life were arrested here for protecting our land, treaty obligations to tribal nations were once again violated, statutory requirements were cast aside in favor of corporate greed. We were shot at with rubber bullets paid for by Enbridge, police officers in financial relationship with a foreign company used pain compliance on us, we face years in prison for defending the drinking water of tens of millions downstream from Alberta tar sands oil set to flow through the Mississippi River headwaters, 22 rivers, 800 wetlands. 

We are not deterred. 

We answer the failures of governmental leadership to abandon the status quo that’s killing all life with building the world we want to live in and standing up for what is right. Line 3 is one coffin nail of many, we cannot and will not stop fighting for a better tomorrow.”

Andy Pearson, Midwest Tar Sands Coordinator, MN350

“We have been working to avoid today's outcome since 2014, and today represents a major shift in the fight. This movement has fought Line 3 every step of the way -- through the regulatory process, in the courts, and on the ground. Water protectors understand the risks and the consequences of this project. We know, based on the data, that this pipeline is likely to spill. The science is crystal clear that every day of Line 3's operation makes it harder to return to a climate-stable world. Enbridge and the State of Minnesota have violated treaties and principles of free, prior, and informed consent with the Anishinaabe people. Shame on Governor Walz, who broke his campaign promise and left a legacy of climate chaos and oppression, militarizing the state against peaceful people who want to preserve our best odds for a livable present and future. This fight is no less important today than it was yesterday, and it will be just as important tomorrow. We are committed to stopping tar sands and will continue that work together.”