Seven Arrested in St. Louis County Protesting Line 3

On March 25, 2021 deputies from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s office responded to Floodwood Township, east of the City of Floodwood.  Individuals protesting the Line 3 Oil Pipeline were reported to be locking themselves to a gate used by workers to access the pipeline construction site. When deputies arrived, they found 20 to 30 individuals were demonstrating against the pipeline at two separate and nearby locations. Four of the individuals had crossed into the construction area and locked themselves to heavy machinery. Two other individuals had locked themselves to a gate used to access the construction site.

 All six of these individuals were extricated from the locks and devices and placed under arrest.  One additional individual, who refused to leave when ordered, was also arrested.

 Individuals were transported to the St. Louis County Jail. All were lodged for Gross Misdemeanor Trespass (on the site of critical infrastructure) and Obstructing Legal Process. One of the individuals, Anastasia Sikorsky, was arrested last week by St. Louis County deputies in a similar incident.

 Arrested:

Sagorsky, Anastasia, 20-years old     Berkeley, CA

Macuga, Julie Christine, 19-years old     Burlington, VT

Kakac, Brittney Jo, 30-years old   Fergus Falls, MN

Barber, John, 62-years old    Boise, ID

Taranta, Leif Jean, 23-years old    Burlington, VT

Pajic, Cody Toukalek, 22- years old   Pembroke, MA

Birthisel, Sonja Katherine, 32-years old   Orno, ME