Keystone pipeline defiance triggers further assault on citizens' rights

Part two: In South Dakota, a law could ban protests amid opposition from Republican ranchers, as many fear a 'serious threat' to water

Words by Oliver Laughland, photos and video by Laurence Mathieu-Li(C)ger

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Bret Clanton might not belong to the most obvious group of opponents to the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. But when a survey crew from TransCanada arrived on his property eight years ago, the rancher and registered Republican - worried they were cattle thieves - says he called the sheriff's department, and marched out to confront them.

He says the encounter changed his life, and set up a battle that would come to dominate his existence.