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Greenpeace has been ordered by a North Dakota jury to pay over $660 million in connection with protests against the construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline. The lawsuit, brought by Dallas-based Energy Transfer and subsidiary Dakota Access, accused Greenpeace of defamation, trespass, nuisance, civil conspiracy, and other acts. While Greenpeace USA was found liable for all counts, the other entities were found liable for some. The damages will be spread out among the three organizations in different amounts. Greenpeace called the lawsuit “meritless” and expressed concerns about the future of the First Amendment and rights to peaceful protest and free speech. The organization plans to appeal the decision.
Energy Transfer considered the verdict a win for the people of North Dakota who were affected by the protests against the pipeline. The company stated that the lawsuit was not about free speech but about protestors not following the law. The case stems from protests in 2016 and 2017 against the Dakota Access oil pipeline, which the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe opposed due to potential risks to their water supply and land. Despite criticisms from free speech and environmental advocates, the lawsuit was seen as an attempt to silence protests and bankrupt opponents.
Greenpeace has expressed determination to continue their work, stating that the important message from the verdict is that their work will not stop. The organization noted that a significant award to the pipeline company could threaten to bankrupt them. After the verdict, Greenpeace stated that they planned to appeal the decision. Energy Transfer claimed that the lawsuit wasn’t about free speech but about protestors not following the law. The company called the verdict a win for those who were affected by the protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline.
The environmental group’s senior legal adviser emphasized that Greenpeace’s work would continue despite the lawsuit and verdict. Despite the significant financial penalty resulting from the lawsuit, Greenpeace remains committed to their mission. The organization plans to regroup and determine their next steps moving forward. Energy Transfer praised the verdict as a win for those affected by the protests, stating that it was not about free speech but about protestors breaking the law. The case was linked to protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline in 2016 and 2017 which drew criticism from free speech and environmental advocates.
The protests at Standing Rock Reservation against the Dakota Access oil pipeline were a focal point of the lawsuit. The pipeline, which carries about 5% of the United States’ daily oil production, faced opposition from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe due to concerns about its impact on their water supply. Despite the criticisms leveled against the trial, the lawsuit was seen as an attempt to silence protests and bankrupt opponents. Greenpeace has voiced their intention to appeal the decision and continue their work in the face of this legal challenge.
