Date: Sun, 20 Dec 1998 22:12:42 -0500 (EST)
From: Chuck Munson <chuck-AT-tao.ca>
Subject: Minnestoa highway anarchists arrested


Hey, the lame duck governor of Minnesota recognizes the existence of
anarchists there. Maybe the next Gov will party with them.

====Minn. Highway Protesters Arrested 

Sunday, December 20, 1998; 10:02 p.m. EST

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Several dozen American Indian and environmental
protesters trying to stop the rerouting of Highway 55 were arrested Sunday
and the state-owned homes they had occupied for months were demolished. 

Protesters began their occupation of seven condemned homes Aug. 10, saying
the new road would cut through a Dakota burial ground still used for
occasional ceremonies. State officials have found no evidence of burial
grounds. 

Utility workers shut off water, gas and power in October. Nearly 600
police moved into the neighborhood because they feared illegal natural gas
hookups, said Bob McFarlin of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. 

Gov. Arne Carlson said the protesters endangered themselves and others. 

``They're basically anarchists who have illegally occupied property,
substantially terrorized a peaceful neighborhood in that part of
Minneapolis and have brought tremendous harm on that area for a
considerable length of time,'' Carlson said. 

Three protesters were taken to juvenile court and 33 were booked on felony
charges of obstruction of justice. The last protester arrested was perched
atop a chimney dressed as Santa Claus. About 40 demonstrators were allowed
to flee. 

The highway rerouting has been in the works for 40 years. Opponents say it
would harm the area's natural and cultural highlights, including a cold
water spring and four 300-year-old oak trees that some Dakota consider a
historic site for their religious practices. 

Construction on the highway was now expected to begin in late spring or
early summer.