MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — Authorities say 22 people have been arrested for interfering with the construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline about 70 miles northwest of the main protest site, which is near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota.
Morton County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Donnell Preskey says about 50 law enforcement authorities responded to the site near Glen Ullin late Tuesday morning.
She says construction workers were “swarmed” by protesters and that two people had “attached” themselves to equipment.
Preskey says 20 people face charges of criminal trespassing. The two who tethered themselves to equipment also face charges of hindering law enforcement and disorderly conduct.
This specific section of the pipeline is not part of the temporary work stoppage issued by a federal judge or the section that the federal government asked Energy Transfer Partners to voluntarily stop work on. ETP has said construction is continuing elsewhere.
