New Oklahoma law could mean heavy fines, jail time for pipeline protesters

The monthslong resistance against the Dakota Access Pipeline influenced a new law targeting similar protests in Oklahoma.

In January, a coalition of Native American and environmental activists said they planned to block the proposed Diamond Pipeline, a $900 million project that will carry crude oil from the Cushing refinery hub toward Tennessee.

Despite the law, a lead opposition organizer said that the rush to strengthen Oklahoma's trespassing laws won't deter the movement.

Gov. Mary Fallin on Wednesday signed a bill that would levy steep fines or prison time against people convicted of trespassing at a critical infrastructure facility to impede operations. That includes pipelines, refineries, chemical plants, railways and other industrial sites.