Editor’s note: Photojournalist Valerie Jean captures the faces of some of the many water protectors, activists and groups active in the long struggle of Michiganders to shut down the Line 5 pipeline, known as “America’s most dangerous pipeline.”
LANSING, MI — Water protectors, activists, and organizations from all over Michigan gathered on March 11 at Central United Methodist Church in Lansing to watch the Michigan Supreme Court hear arguments regarding Enbridge Energy’s proposed experimental Line 5 tunnel project.
During the hearing, an Enbridge lawyer argued that with or without the tunnel, Line 5 would continue to operate. Line 5 was constructed in 1953 and was designed to last 50 years. It has been running through the Great Lakes for 23 years past its decommission date.Press Conference after the auguments:
At a press conference after the arguments, Davis Scott, Senior Attorney at the Environmental Law and Policy Center, said it was the most packed courtroom he had ever seen, evidence of how important this issue is to the people of Michigan. Whitney Gravelle, President of the Bay Mills Indian Community, said, “The arguments were disheartening. We continue to hear a lot of propaganda put forward by Enbridge about Line 5 that is not true, that is inherently false. As we reflect on the arguments and what’s at stake for every single Michigander, I really ask people to examine the independent facts that exist out there.”
Now we wait. We educate, organize, and agitate.
