Climate Group Suffers Massive Blow in Court

Environmental group Greenpeace has been ordered to pay over $660 million 
by a North Dakota jury following protests against the Dakota Access 
Pipeline. Energy Transfer, along with its subsidiary Dakota Access, 
accused Greenpeace entities of defamation, trespassing, nuisance, and 
civil conspiracy. Greenpeace plans to appeal the decision, and senior 
legal adviser Deepa Padmanabha emphasized that the group’s work will 
continue regardless of the ruling.

Greenpeace stated, “Although a jury of nine people in North Dakota has 
decided that Greenpeace entities are liable for over $660 million in 
damages, this isn’t over.”

Greenpeace has called the lawsuit “meritless,” warning that the hefty 
damages could threaten its financial stability. Greenpeace USA was found 
liable for all charges, while the other entities have been liable for 
some.

Greenpeace said, “We’re going to appeal. And we’re prepared to fight this 
all the way to victory. We absolutely believe in our legal defense. We 
believe the law is fully on our side. We believe in what we did at 
Standing Rock, and that ultimately we will prevail against this meritless 
lawsuit.”

Greenpeace added, “We’ve fought Energy Transfer’s lawsuits for more than 
seven years. Every step of the way, we’ve emphasized that these types of 
lawsuits — intended to silence and shut down critics — are part of a 
growing national attack on our First Amendment rights.”

Energy Transfer referred to the verdict as a victory for Americans who 
understand the distinction between lawful protest and illegal actions. The 
company expressed satisfaction in the accountability imposed on 
Greenpeace.

Greenpeace interim executive director Sushma Raman stated that the case 
represents a broader effort by corporations to stifle dissent. The legal 
battle originates from protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline from 
2016 to 2017.

Raman said, “This case should alarm everyone, no matter their political 
inclinations,” adding, “It’s part of a renewed push by corporations to 
weaponize our courts to silence dissent. We should all be concerned about 
the future of the First Amendment, and lawsuits like this aimed at 
destroying our rights to peaceful protest and free speech.”

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe previously raised concerns about potential 
water contamination and land harm. Thousands of protesters camped near the 
Standing Rock Reservation, where the pipeline crosses the Missouri River.

Energy Transfer wrote, “While we are pleased that Greenpeace has been held 
accountable for their actions against us, this win is really for the 
people of Mandan and throughout North Dakota who had to live through the 
daily harassment and disruptions caused by the protesters who were funded 
and trained by Greenpeace.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/climate-group-suffers-massive-blow-
in-court/ar-AA1BVnrb