Greenpeace Liable for Hundreds of Millions in Dakota Pipeline Lawsuit

A North Dakota jury has ordered Greenpeace to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to Energy Transfer for its role in organizing protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016. The lawsuit, filed by the oil company in 2019, accused Greenpeace of defamation and orchestrating a campaign to prevent the pipeline's construction, which they denied, arguing it threatens their First Amendment rights. The protests, which drew significant attention and participation from various groups, were aimed at protecting the rights of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and their water supply concerns. The jury's unanimous decision has raised alarms about the potential chilling effect on future environmental activism, with Greenpeace indicating plans to appeal the ruling. This landmark case highlights the increasing tension between corporate interests and environmental advocacy in the U.S. and could set a significant precedent for how similar protests are handled in the future.