 Two years ago a group calling themselves the valve turners were charged with criminal damage to property of a public pipeline after using bolt cutters to turn off valves to a pipeline in Leonard. Today three of the activists started trial proceedings in Clearwater County. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charge. The group gave a press release to the media saying they plan to focus on the overwhelming threats of climate change and explained why their actions were necessary during their defense. Jobs for Minnesota also released a statement about the trial condemning the actions of the group and urging the court to send a message about the dangers of actions like theirs. The courts went through jury selection today but a jury has not yet been set. Court proceedings are expected to last until at least Thursday.