Twelve protestors arrested for trying to stop Kinder Morgan’s natural gas pipeline expansion into Western Massachusetts are due in court Thursday on criminal charges.
Nearly 100 people have been arrested on trespassing and other charges during months of protests against the natural gas pipeline expansion in Otis State Forest. Many have been ordered to pay a $100 fine.
Up until now, all charges have been reduced to civil infractions or dismissed altogether.
Attorneys for the Sugar Shack Alliance and the Water Protectors say 12 activists are facing criminal charges that range from disorderly conduct to assault and battery of a police officer.
State police say protestors have gotten more aggressive. In November, police say one man trying to escape arrest pushed a trooper and was hit with a stun gun.
