A large contingent of Dakota Access Pipeline protestors blocked North Dakota Highway 6 near St. Anthony Wednesday afternoon.
North Dakota Highway Patrol Lieutenant Tom Iverson was on scene. He said when law enforcement arrived, the protestors were given 10 minutes to clear the highway. He said they agreed, pulling off into ditches on the sides of the road.
Iverson saids some of the protestors were engaging in what he called “intimidation tactics” against law enforcement.
"They were getting in officers' faces, staring them down," Iverson said. "One individual wearing a gas mask was in an officer's face for several minutes, apparently trying to bait him into taking action. However, there was no incident."
Iverson said protestors later gathered east of St. Anthony on a county road, and were there for about 20 minutes, before dispersing.
Iverson said while some of the protestors claim these are peaceful demonstrations, he would disagree with that.
"When we are coming on scene, we don't know what individuals may or may not have a weapon on them," Iverson said. "And when they're wearing masks, attempting to intimidate our officers -- they're not peaceful actions."
No protestors were arrested.
