Local Residents and Water Protectors for Weekend of Art & Resistance to Enbridge’s Line 5 Construction
ASHLAND, WI — On June 5-7, Locals directly affected by Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute project, as well as people connected through water from around the Great Lakes Region and Northern Wisconsin, gathered to share art, engage in discussion, and voice their opposition to the project, which risks permanent damage to local ecosystems and communities.
On Friday, June 5th, community members gathered at Stone Soup in Ashland, WI for the launch of “For the Love of Water,” an art show featuring the work of local artists resisting the Line 5 Reroute project. People of all ages shared stories of resistance at the event, resonating with the messages of the artist’s work. Artists’ work will be up on display at Stone Soup through the end of July. Featured artists include Bomgiizhik (Isaac Murdoch), Melanie Ariens, Dio Cramer, Michael D’Ambrosio, Shea Schachameyer, Susan Simensky Bietila, the Spill Paint Not Oil Art Collective, the Chequamegon Bay Water Protectors, and more.
On the morning of Saturday, June 6th, graffiti proclaiming “ENBRIDGE LIES, ASHLAND TAKES THE BAIT” was found on two unused billboards in downtown Ashland overlooking Lake Shore Drive. The graffiti references Ashland County’s approval of recieving money from the Enbridge Corporation to fund their sheriff’s department.
Later that day, in celebration of Pride Month, Water Protectors held a table at the Ironwood Pride with a Zine-share and Screen-Printing event.
On Sunday evening, June 7th, puppeteers showcased “And Again, The Waters Speak,” a community-built puppet show about colonial wounds and building connections across the Great Lakes, from Chicago to the Enbridge Line 5 reroute through the ceded territories of the Anishinaabe people.
Conversations over the weekend shed light on how community members feel the impacts of Line 5 and do not approve of Enbridge’s willingness to force its way through the land. Landowners shared stories of being kept awake all night by the sound of machinery as their lands are ravaged, how they are paid to host workers in RVs on their land and to install security cameras along the pipeline easement, and how Enbridge’s machinery is blocking local roads and isolating them.
This last story is particularly ominous as the community braces for hundreds of out-of-town pipeline workers to descend. Although community remains steadfast in the belief that there’s power in standing up in the face of harm like they’re experiencing together. We’ll keep fighting back in all the ways available to us while continuing to center care and our relationships with one another.
