Civil liberties groups sue U.S. over alleged plans to thwart Keystone XL pipeline protests

Civil liberties advocates have sued the U.S government alleging law enforcement agencies are manoeuvring to crack down on anticipated protests over the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

Attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union and its Montana affiliate filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Missoula on Tuesday against the U.S. Departments of Defence, Homeland Security, Interior and Justice.

READ MORE: Additional environmental assessment ordered for Keystone XL pipeline

Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of the opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline.

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The groups want the court to order the release of all records pertaining to co-operation between federal, state and local law enforcement and private security companies.

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Government agency representatives declined immediate comment.

The suit cites prior efforts by law enforcement to disband Indigenous people and other protesters opposed to a separate project, the Dakota Access Pipeline.

READ MORE: Several arrested as Standing Rock activists defy deadlines for Dakota Access pipeline protest

Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of protests on the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota against the Dakota Access pipeline.

2:13 Standing Rock protesters burn their belongings ahead of deadline to clear camp

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Keystone XL would transport crude oil from Alberta through Montana and South Dakota to Nebraska.

READ MORE: Alberta’s Notley government signs on as Keystone XL customer

Watch below: In January 2018, Tom Vernon filed this report after TransCanada said it has secured contracts for half-a-million barrels of oil per day for its Keystone XL pipeline. One of those customers is Alberta’s NDP government.

2:03 Alberta’s NDP government signs on as Keystone XL customer