BISMARK, North Dakota — In a landmark case, a North Dakota jury has ruled that Greenpeace entities are liable for more than $660 million in damages in a lawsuit filed by Energy Transfer, the company behind the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline. The verdict marks a significant moment in a legal battle that has spanned over seven years, centering on Greenpeace’s role in protests against the pipeline.
The lawsuit accused Greenpeace of defamation, trespass, nuisance, and civil conspiracy, alleging that the environmental organization funded and supported protests aimed at halting pipeline construction. Energy Transfer argued that Greenpeace made false claims about the pipeline’s safety and its impact on the environment. Greenpeace has steadfastly denied these allegations, maintaining that its actions were part of a peaceful, nonviolent effort to expose environmental harm.
In a statement following the verdict, Greenpeace USA called the lawsuit “meritless” and announced plans to appeal. “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,” the organization stated. “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 emphasized that the case represents a broader attack on free speech and the right to protest, describing the lawsuit as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP). The organization warned of the dangerous precedent such cases could set, not just for environmental advocacy but for civil liberties more broadly.
“This lawsuit was designed to scare and divide our movement,” Greenpeace stated. “Instead, the opposite has happened—more than 350,000 individuals around the world and over 430 organizations representing millions of people have spoken out against it.”
A Symbolic Battle with Deep Roots
The Dakota Access Pipeline protests, which began in 2016, were led by Indigenous groups and their allies, including Greenpeace. The protests gained international attention as a symbol of resistance against fossil fuel projects and in defense of Indigenous sovereignty. Greenpeace described its involvement as an extension of its mission to advocate for environmental justice and support Indigenous-led movements.
Standing Rock Grassroots member Waniya Locke reflected on the historical significance of the protests, saying, “When you look back at history, they always try to wipe us out.” Greenpeace echoed this sentiment, framing the lawsuit as an attempt to erase Indigenous leadership and rewrite the history of the protests.
Moving Forward
Greenpeace USA reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its work, despite the challenges posed by the lawsuit. “We will not be silenced, and our movement will endure,” the organization declared. A Zoom meeting is scheduled for Thursday to discuss the verdict and outline the next steps in the ongoing legal battle.
The case has drawn widespread attention to the use of lawsuits against advocacy groups, raising questions about the balance between corporate interests and the protection of free speech. As Greenpeace prepares for the appeals process, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for activism and environmental advocacy in the United States and beyond.