Jury Says Greenpeace Must Pay At Least $660 Million Over Dakota Pipeline Protest

A North Dakota jury has ruled that Greenpeace must pay $660 million to Energy Transfer, finding the environmental group liable for defamation and other claims linked to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests in 2016 and 2017. Energy Transfer, a Dallas-based pipeline giant, accused Greenpeace of inciting the protests through a “misinformation campaign” and funding disruptive activity. Greenpeace denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit a threat to free speech and the right to protest.

Deepa Padmanabha, Greenpeace’s senior legal adviser, said the decision reflected Energy Transfer’s “blatant disregard for the voices of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe” and was part of a broader attempt to suppress activism: “We reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to non-violence in every action we take.” She added, “We should all be concerned about the future of the first amendment.”

Kristin Casper, general counsel for Greenpeace International, pledged to continue the fight, noting, “Energy Transfer hasn’t heard the last of us… We will not back down, we will not be silenced.”

The trial drew sharp criticism from civil rights and nonprofit groups. Kirk Herbertson of EarthRights International said the verdict was “the result of a long list of courtroom tactics and propaganda tricks,” and pointed to the jury’s fossil fuel industry ties as a major concern. Greenpeace had repeatedly sought to move the trial but was denied by both the county court and the state supreme court.

Observers argued the case fit the pattern of a SLAPP—strategic lawsuits aimed at intimidating critics. Marty Garbus, a veteran First Amendment lawyer, called the trial “deeply flawed,” saying, “In my six decades of legal practice, I have never witnessed a trial as unfair as the one against Greenpeace.”

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, which led the protests, also condemned the verdict. Chairperson Janet Alkire stated, “The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe will not be silenced.” She described the lawsuit as an effort “to shut down all voice supporting Standing Rock.”

Energy Transfer, however, called the ruling a win “for all law-abiding Americans,” and their attorney Trey Cox praised the jury’s decision as “resounding.” Greenpeace plans to appeal.

Link: The Guardian