Greenpeace Held Responsible, Ordered to Pay Substantial Sum for Pipeline Protests-Related Damage
Headline: Greenpeace Slapped with Hefty Fine for Dakota Access Pipeline Protests: What's the Gist?
Subheading: An Unexpected twist in the Battle for Environmental Activism
Get ready to rumble! The court's verdict is in, and Greenpeace isn’t too pleased. A North Dakota jury has handed down a hefty bill to the environmental organization for their part in the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, a few years back.
The judge's decision hot off the presses in March 2025 has got Greenpeace looking for a new legal strategy. The 9-person jury has ordered Greenpeace to fork over a whopping $660 million, following a lawsuit filed in 2019 by Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners. The energy company accused Greenpeace of stirring up chaos, spreading false information, and causing financial loss through property damage and missed revenue opportunities.
Now, this ain’t good news for Greenpeace. The organization already said that this case could potentially bankrupt its US operations. But they ain't giving up just yet. Kristin Casper, Greenpeace International's general counsel, was quick to announce they aren’t backing down from their green crusade. With that fierce spark in her eye, she assures us the fight against oil behemoths continues. She added, "We got our fightin' spirit still intact, and the truth and the law are only gettin' stronger. Greenpeace International won't rest in our quest for a greener and peaceful future. Energy Transfer, we ain't done with you yet!"
But there's a twist here. Greenpeace plans to appeal the verdict, arguing it’s just a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) aimed at muzzling free speech and assembly. Greenpeace believes Energy Transfer is less concerned about collectin’ the damages and more about silencing them, given that the organization doesn’t got the financial firepower to pay up.
This drama ain't over yet. The case follows a previous federal RICO lawsuit filed by Energy Transfer against Greenpeace back in 2017, which was tossed by a federal judge. Critics claim the latest verdict is merely a misuse of the legal system to suppress protests and intimidate communities amidst the environmental battle.
Stay tuned as this story unfolds, tribe. We'll keep you in the loop!
Greenpeace faces a significant challenge after being ordered to pay $660 million by a North Dakota jury for their role in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. This hefty sum stems from a lawsuit filed in 2019 by Energy Transfer Partners, which accused Greenpeace of causing financial loss through spreading false information and property damage. However, Greenpeace plans to appeal the verdict, arguing that it is a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) meant to suppress free speech and assembly. This ongoing legal battle sparks concerns about the suppression of protests and intimidation in the ongoing environmental battle.
