Cynthia Pryor, a Big Bay resident arrested for “trespassing” on public land, was released from Marquette County Jail today. Judge Roger Kangas released Pryor on “personal recognizance.” Pryor had refused to post bail and intended to remain in jail until her pre-trial hearing, on May 6.
This may be the first official indication that Pryor was unlawfully arrested for standing on a tract of public land where Rio Tinto wants to open a nickel and copper mine.
Marquette County Jail
Pryor was arrested while sitting on an old tree stump, with her dog, near Eagle Rock. Reportedly, Rio Tinto security told her to leave the premises and called local law enforcement. A Michigan State Police trooper arrested her later, although Pryor insisted she was not trespassing, as she was on public land.
The State Police reported that Pryor was blocking a bulldozer, a claim picked up by local media. Reportedly, Pryor happened to be standing near a bulldozer that had no operator on it and wasn’t even running at the time.
On a local TV station’s website, some Rio Tinto supporters are urging equipment operators to run future protesters over with bulldozers, and have expressed regret that Pryor was not run over herself.
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