A 40-foot monopole in the path of the planned Keystone XL pipeline in Texas.

The showdown between Tar Sands Blockade and TransCanada continues in the Texas woods. In the past few days, two Tar Sands Blockade activists locked themselves to construction machinery to defend the tree village blockade. Both were arrested by police using brutal pain compliance techniques — but not before construction had been halted for another day.

Tar Sands Blockade is interfering with TransCanada’s efforts to construct the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.

It soon emerged that TransCanada had actively encouraged police to use torture tactics on protesters. And just two days after the arrests, a TransCanada employee attempted to drop a tree on peaceful protesters, seen in this video.

TransCanada then deviated from its permitted construction route, attempting to loop the construction around the blockade. Blockaders responded by setting up a 40-foot monopole in the company’s new path. Both blockades still stand.

Get the full story at tarsandsblockade.org. Tar Sands Blockade is also planning an action camp for Oct 12-14, if you’re looking for a way to get involved!