Greenpeace has been ordered to pay over $650 million in damages for defamation and related claims brought by a pipeline company regarding protests against the construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline in North Dakota.
The jury found Greenpeace International, Greenpeace USA, and Greenpeace Fund Inc. accountable for defamation, trespass, nuisance, civil conspiracy, and other actions, with varying degrees of liability for each entity.
The big picture: The damages to be paid are distributed among the three entities, with the bulk of nearly $404 million assigned to Greenpeace USA, and approximately $131 million for both Greenpeace Fund Inc. and Greenpeace International.
- This substantial award raises concerns within Greenpeace about the organization potentially facing bankruptcy.
- Energy Transfer, the plaintiff, views the verdict as a significant triumph, declaring it a win for those who comprehend the distinction between exercising free speech and engaging in unlawful activities.
- The company characterized the damages as a form of accountability for Greenpeace’s alleged support and organization of disruptive protests during the pipeline’s construction.
Driving the news: The legal battle dates back to the protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline in 2016 and 2017, particularly concerning its crossing near the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s reservation.
- The tribe has long opposed the pipeline, citing potential threats to its water supply, while Energy Transfer insists that the lawsuit reflects Greenpeace’s failure to adhere to the law rather than an infringement of free speech.
