ELK RIVER, MN—Rep. Nick Zerwas, R-Elk River, issued the following statement regarding yesterday's decision by a Clearwater County judge to dismiss charges against three protesters who attempted to shut off pipelines in Northwest Minnesota by turning their emergency shut-off valves in 2016. The three protesters had been charged with felonies, and a jury had already been seated for the case.
“I’m extremely disappointed by the recent decision that doesn’t hold these dangerous protesters responsible for putting public safety at risk,” said Zerwas. “Next session, I want to build off the strides we made this year. I plan to draft legislation to ensure ecoterrorists that attempt to sabotage critical infrastructure - whether they are successful or not - are held accountable. There needs to be significant consequences for extremists who engage in this type of dangerous, illegal behavior.”
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