Rachel Marie Leaf was charged Thursday, Feb. 25, in Aitkin County District Court with five misdemeanors of public nuisance, obstructing the legal process, failing to comply with a peace officer and two counts of being unlawful.
The Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office was called at 5:55 a.m. Wednesday to protest activity blocking the Hedbom Forest Road, southeast of Jacobson. The sheriff’s office was informed 15 people were blocking the roadway and a device was erected in the center of the road.
Rachel Marie Leaf
According to the complaint filed against Leaf, the bipod device set up in the road consisted of two 30- to 40-foot-long poles tied together at the top with a rope. Additional ropes were stretched across the roadway to secure the poles. A platform was attached 21 feet above the ground and Leaf was in a seat on it. Leaf was secured to the bipod device by a climbing harness.
A deputy spoke to Leaf, who refused to leave the area. The people at the scene were instructed to leave the area and remove their vehicles. Everyone left the area except Leaf, who was given multiple opportunities to leave, the complaint stated.
A news release issued by the sheriff’s office stated Leaf was dressed in warm gear and wearing a mask. At the scene, Leaf identified herself as “Rose.”
The sheriff’s office stated Leaf was advised she was illegally blocking a public right of way and needed to come down but she refused. An extraction team was called out to assess the complicated bipod device and ultimately safely removed Leaf and lowered her to the ground.
Leaf locked herself in a device constructed of square steel pieces welded into a 45-degree angle, the complaint stated. A pin was welded into each leg of the device and Leaf secured herself to the pins using a chain she wrapped around her wrists and then clipped to the metal pins. Authorities removed the device from Leaf.
“These complicated devices are very dangerous to remove,” Aitkin County Sheriff Dan Guida said in a statement. “Our required cautious approach creates an expense for local taxpayers. There is also a loss of resources when our staff is engaged in responding to these calls. Everyone has a right to express their views, but breaking the law will not be tolerated.”
Leaf was arrested and transported to Aitkin County Jail.
During Leaf’s court hearing, Judge Kristine DeMay ordered she may be released without posting a bond as long as she does not enter any Enbridge work sites in Aitkin County or any other work sites dealing with the pipeline, and she does not to have any contact with Enbridge workers or any Line 3 workers.
Leaf was released from jail and her next court hearing is scheduled April 8.
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February 26, 2021 at 06:00AM
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