Minnesota Fusion Center//Unclassified//FOUO//Minn. Stat. § 13.37 MN Security Information Declaration dated 11 January 2017 (U//FOUO) Environmental Extremist Group Publishes a Call for Action in Opposition of Pipeline Construction (U) Scope (U//FOUO) The Minnesota Fusion Center (MNFC) is disseminating this product for partners’ situational awareness relative to a recent call for action in opposition of pipeline construction. The MNFC has no information indicating a specific, credible threat to Minnesota during this time; however, extremist groups continue to encourage supporters to use a variety of tactics and techniques to impede and/or sabotage critical infrastructure and key resources (CIKR), causing concern for public safety. Previously, calls for action like this have motivated radical actors aligned with larger movements to engage in criminal activity, often against the intentions of the more moderate activist groups. (U) The Call for Action (U//FOUO) On 02 January 2019, an anonymous individual submitted a “call to action” to a US-based environmental extremista organization, which in turn posted the information on their public website. Their call to action discussed the need to “plan a solidarity action”, stating, “if police and industry move in, it is time to block highways, bridges, and rail lines. It’s time to occupy offices, be disruptive, and send a strong message that cannot be ignored. Bear in mind that using secondary and tertiary targeting is sometimes more effective than appealing to politicians.”1, 2 (U) Previous Similar Language (U//FOUO) While this call for action does not highlight new tactics, it is important for first responders and private sector partners to remain aware of the latest developments. In addition to this recent call for action, several comparable groups have made similar attempts to inspire supporters to take solidarity action against CIKR. (U//FOUO) On 19 November 2018, an environmental extremist media outlet made the claim3 that “action was taken on the invisible border of Wisconsin and Minnesota to halt and block the movement of oil trains to and from one of the refineries on Lake Superior, near the Namadji River.” The source indicated that the action was conducted “by ‘tricking’ the sensor system on the rails to ‘believing’ there was a train already present on the tracks, thus impeding the way for oil to be transported via railroad for many hours.”b However, after officials reviewed reported incidents with respective rail personnel, it was determined that there was no record of such action actually occurring.4 (U//FOUO) On 21 December 2017, a contributor to an anarchist extremistc website published infrastructure and supply chokepoint maps.5, 6, 7 These maps depict rail lines, ports, warehouses, and detailed information such as tons shipped per year at corresponding locations. In addition, an interactive map was located, which documented all oil terminals, pipelines, refineries, railroads, oil ports, as well as events such as spills, blocked pipelines, and derailed oil trains in North America. ___________ a (U) DHS defines environmental rights extremists as groups or individuals who facilitate or engage in acts of unlawful violence against people, businesses, or government entities perceived to be destroying, degrading, or exploiting the natural environment.20 b (U) This reference to “tricking the sensor system on the rails to ‘believing’ there was a train already present on the tracks” indicates track shunting; which is a metal wire or cable used to connect both rails, disrupting the low voltage electric current and indicating either the presence of a train or some damage to the track.4 c (U) DHS defines anarchist extremists as groups or individuals who facilitate or engage in acts of unlawful violence as a means of changing the government and society in support of the belief that all forms of capitalism and corporate globalization should be opposed and that governing institutions are unnecessary and harmful to society.20 WARNING: The information contained in this document is classified For Official Use Only (FOUO). No portion of this document should be released to the media or general public. This document may contain data classified as confidential, nonpublic, and/or private data under Minnesota Government Data Practices Chapter 13 and subject to restriction. Any release of this information could adversely affect or jeopardize investigative activities. Furthermore, all classified information is governed by Executive Order 12958 and 13292. Any unauthorized disclosure of classified information may constitute a violation of Title 18, sections 641, 793, 798, 952, and 1924. Minnesota Fusion Center//Unclassified//FOUO//Minn. Stat. § 13.37 MN Security Information Declaration dated 11 January 2017 Minnesota Fusion Center//Unclassified//FOUO//Minn. Stat. § 13.37 MN Security Information Declaration dated 11 January 2017 (U//FOUO) Additionally, an interactive map was located, which documented all oil terminals, pipelines, refineries, railroads, oil ports, as well as events such as spills, blocked pipelines, and derailed oil trains in North America. (U//FOUO) The initial connotation of this information does not appear to have an agenda outside understanding logistics across the US. With that said, the general accessibility to mass location data of critical infrastructure in the US, down to the exact coordinates, could assist extremist groups in carrying out attacks against these networks. (U//FOUO) On 18 December 2017, a contributor to an anarchist extremist website posted infrastructure attack tactics and techniques to include attacks against roads8, pipelines9, electricity10, rail11, and fiber-optics and communication infrastructure.12 The source indicated that this research project was intended to streamline anarchist extremist attacks against the infrastructure and extractive industry. The following are summaries of topics in each section. (U) An interactive map highlighting a variety of transportation and critical infrastructure information.7  (U//FOUO) Road Infrastructure: This section advocates for the use of explosives to take down trees for a road block, using real or fake booby traps on the road to expend law enforcement resources and expose them to ‘fire’, and blocking railroad lines.8  (U//FOUO) Pipeline Infrastructure: This section describes tactics and techniques that can be utilized to sabotage pipelines including drilling holes into pipeline segments, shutting down pipelines at valve stations, and pipeline vulnerabilities. This section also includes a list of tools needed for sabotage. 9  (U//FOUO) Electricity Infrastructure: This section examines four topics of discussion including coordinated arson attacks, arson attacks against power and communication lines, citizens’ militia (attacking the power system), and wrench and hacksaw sabotage of high voltage pylon bends.10  (U//FOUO) Rail Infrastructure: This section covers 11 unique topics to include sabotage by burning signaling cables; sabotage by burning telecomm cables; blocking trains with jumper cables; train sabotage with thermite; train sabotage by cutting counter-weights; sabotage with disc cutters; burning car rail blockades; train track sabotage with concrete; fire to fiber-optic cables; arson and sabotage; and fire to rail security electronics installation.11  (U//FOUO) Fiber-Optics and Communication Infrastructure: This section discusses four unique topics including tire fires, torching repeater towers, arson against communication lines, and repeater barbecues.12 (U) Minnesota Incidents (U//FOUO) Few incidents relative to the aforementioned tactics have occurred in Minnesota. On 11 October 2016, three individuals allegedly broke into a pipeline valve site in Clearwater County, Minnesota, cut the chains on the valve, and turned the valve off.13 This action was one of five different actions that occurred simultaneously in the US.14 (U//FOUO) On at least two different occasions, individuals erected large tipi-like structures, blocking roads in Minnesota;15, 16 in those instances, individuals also suspended themselves from the tops of these tipis. Additionally, Minnesota-based anti-pipeline groups previously claimed to have built structures to block a local pipeline’s path, main roads leading to the pipeline’s construction zone, blockaded a local park event, and halted construction.17, 18, 19 WARNING: The information contained in this document is classified For Official Use Only (FOUO). No portion of this document should be released to the media or general public. This document may contain data classified as confidential, nonpublic, and/or private data under Minnesota Government Data Practices Chapter 13 and subject to restriction. Any release of this information could adversely affect or jeopardize investigative activities. Furthermore, all classified information is governed by Executive Order 12958 and 13292. Any unauthorized disclosure of classified information may constitute a violation of Title 18, sections 641, 793, 798, 952, and 1924. Minnesota Fusion Center//Unclassified//FOUO//Minn. Stat. § 13.37 MN Security Information Declaration dated 11 January 2017 Minnesota Fusion Center//Unclassified//FOUO//Minn. Stat. § 13.37 MN Security Information Declaration dated 11 January 2017 (U) Other Incidents (U) On two separate occasions in 2016, unknown individuals set fire to pipeline construction equipment in Jasper County, Iowa.21 Additionally, on 17 March 2017, an individual burned a hole in a pipeline in Mahaska County, Iowa with a blowtorch, damaging the safety valve above ground that is used to shut off the pipeline in case of a leak.22 (U) Perspective (U//FOUO) Extremist groups continue to share similar tactic and technique information either for general purposes or in an effort to impede and/or sabotage CIKR. It is not uncommon for information such as this to surface, and it will likely become more common with upcoming construction projects in the state. While the MNFC has no information to indicate a specific, credible threat in the state, the overall trend of recent extremist media continues to promote a variety of tactics and techniques to sabotage CIKR. First responders and private sector personnel are encouraged to remain vigilant and are always asked to promptly report suspicious activity to local law enforcement and the Minnesota Fusion Center at MN.FC@state.mn.us. (U) Tracked by: HSEC-08-P1-MN01-2014, HSEC-09-P1-MN04-2014, HSEC-10-P2-MN10-2014 _____________ (U) RESOURCES 1 (U//FOUO) DHS; OSIR-04001-0575-19; 03 JAN 2019; DOI 02 JAN 2019; Environmental extremists publish a call to action to block highways bridges and rail lines in protest of pipeline project; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 2 (U) Earth First! Newswire; 03 JAN 2019; CALL TO ACTION: How to Support the Gitimt’en Camp; UNCLASSIFIED; UNCLASSIFIED; https://earthfirstjournal.org/ newswire/2019/01/02/call-to-action-how-to-support-the-gitimten-camp/ 3 (U//FOUO) DHS; OSIR-04001-0423-19; 23 NOV 2018; DOI 19 NOV 2018; Environmental extremists claim responsibility for shutting down railroad lines on the Wisconsin-Minnesota border; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 4 (U//FOUO) Association of American Railroads; Minnesota/Wisconsin: Anti-Pipeline Activists Falsely Claim Halting Oil Trains; 26 NOV 2018; DOI 20 NOV 2018; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 5 (U//FOUO) DHS; OSIR-04001-0288-18; 21 DEC 2017; DOI 21 DEC 2017; Anarchist extremist publishes infrastructure and supply chokepoint maps as part of new project. Report 1 of 2; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 6 (U//FOUO) DHS; OSIR-04001-0289-18; 21 DEC 2017; DOI 21 DEC 2017; Anarchist extremist publishes infrastructure and supply chokepoint maps as part of new project. Report 2 of 2; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 7 (U) Empire Logistics; 07 JAN 2019; Supply Chain Infrastructure; UNCLASSIFIED; UNCLASSIFIED; http://www.empirelogistics.org/sci-map 8 (U//FOUO) DHS; OSIR-04001-0263-18; 18 DEC 2017; DOI 18 DEC 2017; Anarchist extremist publishes infrastructure attack tactics as part of new project. Report 1 of 5. UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 9 (U//FOUO) DHS; OSIR-04001-0272-18; 18 DEC 2017; DOI 18 DEC 2017; Anarchist extremist publishes infrastructure attack tactics as part of new project. Report 2 of 5. UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 10 (U//FOUO) DHS; OSIR-04001-0276-18; 19 DEC 2017; DOI 19 DEC 2017; Anarchist extremist publishes infrastructure attack tactics as part of new project. Report 3 of 5. UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 11 (U//FOUO) DHS; OSIR-04001-0281-18; 18 DEC 2017; DOI 18 DEC 2017; Anarchist extremist publishes infrastructure attack tactics as part of new project. Report 4 of 5. UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 12 (U//FOUO) DHS; OSIR-04001-0284-18; 20 DEC 2017; DOI 20 DEC 2017; Anarchist extremist publishes infrastructure attack tactics as part of new project. Report 5 of 5. UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 13 (U//FOUO) State of Minnesota, County of Clearwater; 12 DEC 2018; DOI 12 OCT 2016; 15-CR-16-413; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY; UNCLASSIFIED// FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 14 (U) EcoWatch; 07 JAN 2019; DOI 11 OCT 2016; 5 Climate Activists Shut Down 5 Tar Sands Pipelines; UNCLASSIFIED; UNCLASSIFIED; https://www.ecowatch.com/ climate-activists-shut-down-tar-sands-pipelines-2039873407.html 15 (U) The Bemidji Pioneer; 07 JAN 2019; DOI 18 SEP 2018; UPDATED: Line 3 protesters block Clearwater County roadwork; UNCLASSIFIED; UNCLASSIFIED; https:// www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/4500769-updated-line-3-protesters-block-clearwater-county-roadwork 16 (U) Associated Press; 07 JAN 2019; DOI 04 OCT 2018; Opponents of Enbridge oil pipeline protest in Minneapolis; UNCLASSIFIED; UNCLASSIFIED; https:// www.apnews.com/e880e2d0a828483d821e5d4e388d8de8 17 (U) Earth First Journal; 07 JAN 2019; DOI 08 OCT 2018; Indigenous Peoples’ Day Action Taken by Anti Colonial Land Defense; UNCLASSIFIED; UNCLASSIFIED; https://earthfirstjournal.org/newswire/2018/10/08/indigenous-peoples-day-action-taken-by-anti-colonial-land-defense/ 18 (U) Anti-colonial Land Defense; 07 JAN 2019; DOI 26 DEC 2018; BREAKING: BLOCKADE OF SIBLEY PARK LIGHTS DISPLAY & SYMBOLIC HANGING OF LINCOLN IN HONOR OF 38+2 MANKATO, MN; UNCLASSIFIED; UNCLASSIFIED; https://www.facebook.com/AnticolonialLandDefense/posts/210246883125129?__tn__=K-R 19 (U) Earth First Journal; 07 JAN 2019; DOI 06 DEC 2018; Anti-colonial Land Defense and Allies Stop Work at Enbridge Pipeline Site; UNCLASSIFIED; UNCLASSIFIED; https://earthfirstjournal.org/newswire/2018/12/06/anti-colonial-land-defense-and-allies-stop-work-at-enbridge-pipeline-site/ 20 (U//FOUO) DHS; Consolidation of Established Tactics and Targets Likely Useful for Inexperienced Potential Anarchist Extremists; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY; UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 21 (U) KCCI; $2M in suspected arson damage at pipeline site; UNCLASSIFIED; UNCLASSIFIED; https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-andcourts/2017/03/21/vandal-damages-dakota-access-pipeline-iowa/99467172/ 22 (U) Des Moines Register; Vandal damages Dakota Access pipeline in Iowa; UNCLASSIFIED; UNCLASSIFIED; https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime -and-courts/2017/03/21/vandal-damages-dakota-access-pipeline-iowa/99467172/ WARNING: The information contained in this document is classified For Official Use Only (FOUO). No portion of this document should be released to the media or general public. This document may contain data classified as confidential, nonpublic, and/or private data under Minnesota Government Data Practices Chapter 13 and subject to restriction. Any release of this information could adversely affect or jeopardize investigative activities. Furthermore, all classified information is governed by Executive Order 12958 and 13292. Any unauthorized disclosure of classified information may constitute a violation of Title 18, sections 641, 793, 798, 952, and 1924. Minnesota Fusion Center//Unclassified//FOUO//Minn. Stat. § 13.37 MN Security Information Declaration dated 11 January 2017