Line 3 protesters briefly shut down Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge

A few hundred protesters marched through downtown Thursday.

August 19, 2021 at 9:36PM
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A few remaining Line 3 protesters stood face to face with Duluth Police in front of the Aerial Lift Bridge on Thursday. Line 3 protesters marched from Duluth City Hall to the Army Corps of Engineers building before occupying the Aerial Lift Bridge for a short time and hanging a large banner. (ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.com/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

DULUTH – Opponents of the Enbridge Line 3 oil pipeline under construction across northern Minnesota shut down Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge for about 30 minutes on Thursday and hung a "Stop Line 3" banner across the iconic span.

It was the culmination of the "March for Manoomin" through downtown that saw a few hundred self-described water protectors demand the federal government revoke permits for the pipeline.

Activists say the pipeline violates treaty rights, will exacerbate climate change and threatens waters and wetlands — including wild rice (manoomin) habitat.

Thursday's protests were directed toward the Army Corps of Engineers office in Canal Park, which is next to the Aerial Lift Bridge. The agency granted Enbridge a key permit last November that allowed pipeline construction to start after years of review.

The Biden administration has continued to support the permits in the face of legal challenges and demands from activists.

Enbridge says the $3 billion project is a safety upgrade over the existing, deteriorating Line 3 that crosses Minnesota and is needed to meet the region's demand for oil.

Police said protesters dispersed when asked, and no arrests or injuries were reported. The bridge is the only connection Park Point residents have to the rest of the city and emergency services.

Brooks Johnson • 218-491-6496

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(ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.com/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
573511576
A few remaining Line 3 protesters faced Duluth police Thursday at the Aerial Lift Bridge after briefly occupying the structure. (ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.com/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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A large banner reading “Stop Line 3” was draped over the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge by Line 3 protesters on Thursday. The American Century freighter passed under the bridge shortly after protesters vacated the area. (ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.com/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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about the writer

Brooks Johnson

Food and Manufacturing Reporter

Brooks Johnson is a business reporter covering Minnesota’s food industry, 3M and manufacturing trends.

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